Dr. Zachary J. Abernathy

Winthrop University
Department of Mathematics
161 Bancroft Hall
803-323-4605 (office)
803-323-2175 (dept. office)
abernathyz@winthrop.edu

Below you will find information concerning two popular mathematical competitions for undergraduates. Please contact me if you would be interested in participating in either one!

COMAP MCM/ICM Competition Resources

COMAP MCM/ICM Homepage - The contest problems are posted here, and you can also find links for contest instructions and previous problems.
The Quest of the MCM - Conquering the Math Contest in Modeling - An excellent guide to the competition created by a team of 3 students from the University of Colorado in Boulder who earned an "Outstanding" rating three years in a row!
Kelly Cline - Secrets of the MCM - Another outstanding guide by a highly successful MCM participant!

COMAP Timeline
COMAP Advice

Judges' Comments from the 2011 MCM Contest: Problem A  Problem B
2016 Judges' Comments: Problem A  Problem B  Problem C

Example 2010 Papers: Paper1  Paper2  Paper3  Paper4
Example 2016 Papers: Paper1  Paper2  Paper3  Paper4
Past Successful Winthrop Papers: Paper1  Paper2  Paper3  Paper4
The Blammo Problem

Principal Component Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis Resources
Background Info
Informal Tutorial

PCA and Sensitivity Analysis Files

Food bribe: At least one home-cooked meal provided by the Abernathys, along with multiple food runs to allow you to continue working.

Other perks: Work in teams of 3, accessible to any level mathematician (computer science, physics, or english majors also make great teammates), complete an interesting mathematical model of an important real-world problem in a span of 96 hours.

William Lowell Putnam Competition Resources

Putnam Competition Homepage - Please click here for a description of the competition and other useful information.

Previous Putnam Competitions - Here's a site with several competitions from prior years along with solutions and scores.

Food bribe: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, enough said.

Other perks: Bragging rights for having taken the most challenging undergraduate mathematical exam known to mankind.