A Friendly Mathematics Competition：35 Years of Teamwork in Indiana

Edited by
Rick Gillman
Valparaiso University


Preface
A college level mathematics competition has been held in Indiana for
more than 35 years as of the writing of this book. Orginally known as the
Indiana Small College Mathematics Competition, its official title became
the Indiana CollegeMathematics Competition.However, many people refer
to it by its popular nickname “The Friendly Exam” earned because of the
collegial nature of the competition and the modest level of competitiveness
between the participants and the institutions involved. It is really more about
getting together to do mathematics and to challenge oneself than it is about
winning a competition.
This book shares the efforts of the many students and faculty who have
participated in the Indiana College Mathematics Competition over its first
35 years.
I would like to specifically identify the individual faculty members who
have composed the exams. Unfortunately, this is the one piece of the history
that has been lost over the years. Their attentive work at identifying or
creating good questions has been a major reason why the competition has
been a success for so long.
Over the years, exam authors have borrowed many classic problems from
other sources. These have been included to provide a complete record of the
exam, but have not generally been attributed to an original source.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have made
this book possible by helping in one way or another. Among all of these
people, the following individuals provided noteworthy help: James Lee,
Ken Luther, Steve Shonefeld, Pat Sullivan, Eric Tkaczyk, and the Purdue
University Math Club.
I would also like to thank Pete Edson for having the idea for the competition,
and extend a very special thank you to Paul Mielke on behalf of
myself and my colleagues in Indiana. Without Paul’s efforts to develop the
contest, to support it over the years, and to lead the section in building the
endowment, Indiana and the MAA would not have this wonderful example
of a “friendly” competition that does so much to build the mathematical
community in Indiana.