A problem book at the college level. A study guide for the Putnam competition. A bridge
between high school problem solving and mathematical research. A friendly introduction
to fundamental concepts and results. All these desires gave life to the pages that follow.
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition is the most prestigious mathematics competition at the undergraduate level in the world. Historically, this annual
event began in 1938, following a suggestion of William Lowell Putnam, who realized
the merits of an intellectual intercollegiate competition. Nowadays, over 2500 students
from more than 300 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada take part
in it. The name Putnam has become synonymous with excellence in undergraduate
mathematics.