Preface

Summary

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 College Mathematics 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.