Pratul Saini Wins First-Year Math Contest
On April 12th, the Mathematics and Computer Science Department hosted the 2018 First-Year Math Contest. The contest was open to all first-year students at Santa Clara University, and students had two hours to solve six math problems ranging in difficulty. First prize for the competition included $150 and bragging rights for the year. Pratul Saini won the competition by correctly solving problems using Geometry, Calculus, Algebra, Combinatorics and Game Theory.
Pratul is a Physics and Computer Science major, and has taken Multivariable Calculus (Math 13 and 14) while at Santa Clara. In preparation for his university studies, Pratul taught himself Differential Calculus in high school, and passed the AP Calculus BC exam. Pratul enjoys problem solving and he would like to learn more about Quantum Computing.
For students who are interested in problem solving and math competitions, the Math and Computer Science Department will be offering a Problem Solving Seminar (Math 190) in the fall. This seminar helps prepare students for the Putnam Exam in December.