olymmath

Putnam 1975

William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition 1975.

Session A

A4

  • Session A

Let n=2mn = 2m, where mm is an odd integer greater than 1. Let θ=e2πi/n\theta = e^{2\pi i / n}. Express (1−θ)−1(1-\theta)^{-1} explicitly as a polynomial in θ\theta,

akθk+ak−1θk−1+⋯+a1θ+a0a_k \theta^k + a_{k-1} \theta^{k-1} + \cdots + a_1 \theta + a_0,

with integer coefficients aia_i.

[Note that θ\theta is a primitive nn-th root of unity, and thus it satisfies all of the identities which hold for such roots.]

Answer, solutions and source

Session B

B5

  • Session B

Let f0(x)=exf_0(x) = e^x and fn(x)=xfn′(x)f_n(x) = xf'_n(x) for n=0,1,2,…n = 0, 1, 2, \dots Find \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{f_n(1)}{n!} in terms of e.

Answer, solutions and source