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Math 145. Problem solving. Fall 2021.

Tentative class schedule with homework assignments

Important Deadlines
Sep 19Last day to DROP classes without a serious and compelling reason and without a grade of W (withdrawal) listed on university transcript
Sep 20Last day to ADD classes
Nov 12Last day to DROP classes for a serious and compelling reason
Date Chapter and Topic Problem(s) of the day: solve before class Homework due at 11 AM / 2 PM: submit via Overleaf)
Aug 23 Syllabus. Overleaf, Homework 1 template.
Chapters 0-11 and 13-14 of the book (updated 11/23/21)
none
Aug 25 1. Introduction. Co-curricular activities: journal problems, PSP, PSC, Math Circle.
Problem solving steps and strategies
Mathematics Magazine Problems
The American Mathematical Monthly Problems
Math Horizons Problems
The College Mathematics Journal Problems
1.5
Aug 27 2. Principle of mathematical induction 2.5(d)
Aug 28 10:00-11:30 AM, Math Circle, grades 8-9 (and 6-7), need to sign up
Aug 30 2. Principle of mathematical induction 2.16
Sep 1 2. Principle of mathematical induction 2.25
Sep 1 5:30-7:30 PM, Math Circle, grades 9-12 / AMC 10/12 practice, need to sign up, Report attendance
Sep 3 3. Dirichlet's box principle 3.10
Sep 3 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Sep 6 Labor Day - no classes or office hours
Sep 8 3. Dirichlet's box principle 3.26
Sep 10 3. Dirichlet's box principle 3.36 homework 1:
any 3 problems from: 2.8, 2.12, 2.14, 2.18, 2.20, 2.22
for extra credit: 2.24 or 2.26
Homework 1 template (optional, may use your own)
Sep 10 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Sep 11 10:00-11:30 AM, Math Circle, grades 8-9, need to sign up
Sep 13 4. Number theory 4.2(a)
Sep 15 4. Number theory 4.10
Sep 15 5:30-7:30 PM, Math Circle, grades 9-12 / AMC 10/12 practice, need to sign up, Report attendance
Sep 17 4. Number theory 4.36 homework 2:
any 3 problems from: 3.8, 3.16, 3.18, 3.22, 3.28, 3.30
for extra credit: 3.34 or 3.38
Sep 17 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Sep 20 5. Case analysis 5.3(b)
Sep 22 5. Case analysis 5.14
Sep 24 6. Finding a pattern 6.2 homework 3:
any 3 problems from: 4.16, 4.27(d), 4.28, 4.30, 4.32, 4.34
for extra credit: 4.26 or 4.44
Sep 24 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Sep 25 10:00-11:30 AM, Math Circle, grades 8-9, need to sign up
Sep 27 6. Finding a pattern 6.6
Sep 29 6. Finding a pattern 6.19(b,c)
Sep 29 5:30-7:30 PM, Math Circle, grades 9-12 / AMC 10/12 practice, need to sign up, Report attendance
Oct 1 Drawing pictures in LaTeX: sample file
Review: Practice test 1, Solutions
Fall 2014 test 1
See also Fall 2005 Practice test 1, Solutions, and tests given in this class in Fall 2005 and Fall 2009
none homework 4: 3 problems total
1 or 2 problems from: 5.2(a and c), 5.3(d), 5.4(a), 5.8
1 or 2 problems from: 5.16, 5.18
for extra credit: 5.10(a) or 5.11(b)
Oct 1 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Oct 4 Test 1 (covers chapters 2-5), in class via Zoom, with camera on none
Oct 6 7. Working backwards 7.4
Oct 6 4:00-5:00 PM, Problem Solving Playground, open to all, see Canvas for the link, Report attendance
Oct 8 7. Working backwards 7.14 homework 5:
any 3 problems from: 6.4, 6.8, 6.10, 6.14, 6.16, 6.20
for extra credit: 6.18
Oct 8 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Oct 9 10:00-11:30 AM, Math Circle, grades 8-9, need to sign up
Oct 11 7. Working backwards 7.26
Oct 13 8. Invariants 8.2
Oct 13 4:00-5:00 PM, Problem Solving Playground, open to all, see Canvas for the link, Report attendance
Oct 13 5:30-7:30 PM, Math Circle, grades 9-12 / AMC 10/12 practice, all spots are full, Report attendance
Oct 15 8. Invariants 8.14 homework 6:
any 3 problems from: 7.6, 7.8, 7.10, 7.16 (see correction here), 7.22, 7.28
for extra credit: 7.30 or 7.32
Oct 15 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
  Turn in your solutions to the problems in Math Horizons and/or problems in Mathematics Magazine asap. The deadlines for journal submissions are October 31 and November 1, respectively, however, you are strongly encouraged to show your solution(s) to your instructor and get feedback first.
Oct 18 8. Invariants 8.22
Oct 20 9. Coloring 9.2
Oct 20 4:00-5:00 PM, Problem Solving Playground, open to all, see Canvas for the link, Report attendance
Oct 22 9. Coloring 9.10 homework 7:
any 3 problems from: 8.4, 8.8, 8.10(a), 8.12, 8.18, 8.32
for extra credit: 8.10(b) or 8.34
Oct 22 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Oct 23 10:00-11:30 AM, Math Circle, grades 8-9, all spots are full
Oct 25 9. Coloring 9.16
Oct 27 10. Graphs 10.2
Oct 27 4:00-5:00 PM, Problem Solving Playground, open to all, see Canvas for the link, Report attendance
Oct 27 5:30-7:30 PM, High School Problem Solving Competition, one helper (proctor) is needed, the spot is filled
Oct 29 10. Graphs 10.22 homework 8:
any 3 problems from: 9.4, 9.8, 9.12, 9.20, 9.24, 9.26
for extra credit: 9.22
Oct 29 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
  Turn in your solutions to the problems in The College Mathematics Journal asap. The deadline for journal submission is November 15, however, you are strongly encouraged to show your solution(s) to your instructor and get feedback first.
Nov 1 10. Graphs 10.42
Nov 3 11. Combinatorics 11.4
Oct 3 4:00-5:00 PM, Problem Solving Playground, open to all, see Canvas for the link, Report attendance
Nov 5 Review for test 2: Practice test 2, Solutions
Fall 2014 test 2
See also Fall 2005 Practice test 2, Solutions, and tests given in this class in Fall 2005
none homework 9:
any 3 problems from: 7.12, 7.24, 8.16, 8.24(a), 9.6, 9.14
for extra credit: 8.24(b) or 9.30
Nov 5 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Nov 6 10:00-11:30 AM, Math Circle, grades 8-9, all spots are full
Nov 8 Test 2 (covers chapters 6-9), in class via Zoom, with video on none
Nov 10 11. Combinatorics 11.22
Nov 12 11. Combinatorics 11.48 homework 10:
any 3 problems from: 10.10, 10.12, 10.18, 10.26, 10.30, 10.40
for extra credit: 10.46 or 10.52
Nov 12 12:00-12:50 PM, Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Nov 12 5:25-7:35 PM, Adnan H. Sabuwala Problem Solving Competitition
Nov 15 13. Calculus 13.8
Nov 17 13. Calculus 13.12
Oct 17 4:00-5:00 PM, Problem Solving Playground, open to all, see Canvas for the link, Report attendance
Nov 19 "Field trip" to Department of Mathematics Day (DMD), open to all, need to sign up to give a talk or play in Math Jeopardy; encouraged to RSVP but do not have to sign up to just attend.
No regular class
none homework 11:
any 3 problems from: 11.6, 11.10, 11.28, 11.30, 11.54, 11.64
for extra credit: 11.46 (at least two parts) or 11.62
Nov 20 10:00-11:30 AM, Math Circle, grades 8-9, all spots are full
Nov 22 13. Calculus 13.22
Nov 24 Thanksgiving recess - no classes or office hours
Nov 26
Nov 29 14. Various problems / journal problems presentations 14.12, 14.16, or 14.20 (your choice)
Nov 30 5:00-6:30 PM, AMC 8 practice, grades 6-8, all spots are full
Dec 1 14. Various problems / journal problems presentations 14.18, 14.24, or 14.26 (your choice) homework 12:
any 3 problems from: 13.10, 13.14, 13.16, 13.24, 13.36, 13.38
for extra credit: 13.26 or 13.32
Dec 1 4:00-5:00 PM, Problem Solving Playground, open to all, see Canvas for the link, Report attendance
Dec 1 5:30-7:30 PM, Math Circle, grades 9-12, all spots are full, Report attendance
Dec 3 Review: Sample Test 3, Fall 2014 test 3
see also tests given in this class in Fall 2005 and Fall 2009
none
Dec 3 12:00-1:50 PM (note the longer time period for this session - you may attend 12-12:50, 1-1:50, or both), Journal Problem Solving Group, open to all, at the usual class link
Dec 4 approx. 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Putnam Competition, need to sign up in advance here. Contact Dr. Delcroix for details. Report attendance
Dec 6 Test 3 (covers chapters 10, 11, 13), in class via Zoom, with video on none
Dec 8 Review
Fall 2013 Final Exam, Fall 2009 Final Exam, Fall 2005 Final exam, Fall 2005 Final Exam Solutions, more practice problems
none
  Turn in all solutions to journal problems asap. The journal deadlines for the following problems are after the semester is over (ranging from December 31 to May), however, to receive credit for this class any solutions must be turned in by December 10.
Math Horizons Journal Problems
The College Mathematics Journal Problems
Mathematics Magazine Problems
The American Mathematical Monthly Problems
Dec 9 Faculty consultation day. Consultation hours: 1:30-2:20 pm for all classes at the Tuesday office hours link
Dec 10 Faculty consultation day. Consultation hours: 10:00-10:50 am for all classes at the Tuesday office hours link,
11:00-11:50 am and 2:00-2:50 pm for Math 145 specifically at our usual class Zoom link
Dec 13 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (11:00-11:50 AM section): Final exam (cumulative), via Zoom, with video on
Dec 15 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM (2:00-2:50 PM section): Final exam (cumulative), via Zoom, with video on


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This page was last revised on 3 December 2021.