lol
The World’s Toughest Math Test
(also, Volume by Slicing and Harder Probability)
E. Reyes, Mudgee NSW
“Every year, on the first Saturday in December, 2,500 of the most brilliant college students in North America take what may be the hardest math test in the world. How tough is it? Although there are only 12 questions, the test lasts six hours. And although these are the best and brainiest young minds America has to offer, the median score on last year’s test was 1 point. Out of a possible 120.
The Putnam is arguably the most prestigious math contest in the world. Do well, and you’ll earn the envy of your peers, and the inside track on a future Nobel. Do badly and –well, don’t feel too bad. John Nash took the test twice and never scored among the top five... Past winners include Richard Feynman and Kenneth Wilson, two Nobel prizewinners. Three Putnam winners have won the Fields Medal, the highest honor a mathematician can receive.” TIME magazine December 23, 2002.