Bennett Competitions

Through the generosity of donors, the University of Texas Mathematics Department is able to offer competitions for undergraduates with significant prize money available to the top scorers. We currently organize competitions in Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations. For information about the current contests, please contact Dr Teresa Martines, PMA 10.108 .

CALCULUS

The Albert A. Bennett Calculus Contest is held at the end of every regular semester. Participation is limited to students who are finishing the Calculus sequence that semester. The questions are based on the topics covered in the Calculus courses (M408C-D or M408K-L-M), but require more than the usual amount of persistence and cleverness. Contestants have two hours to answer approximately five questions.

No electronic or mechanical aids are to be used during (any of) the competitions.

Previous Calculus exams:

NOTE: some older versions of these courses included some topics from multivariable calculus that are no longer part of the syllabus (e.g. classification of critical points of multivariate functions). So the current contest questions will not cover some of the topics shown in the old exams. Don't worry if you don't know how to solve those!
Spring 2022: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2021: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2021: no exam (Covid19)
Fall 2020: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2020: no exam (Covid19)
Fall 2019: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2019: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2018: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2018: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2017: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2017: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2016: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2016: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2015: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2015: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2014: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2014: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2013: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2013: announcement questions answers winners (additional diagram for question 3)
Fall 2012: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2012: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2011: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2011: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2010: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2010: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2009: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2009: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2008: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2008: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2007: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2007: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2006: announcement questions answers winners
Fall 2005: announcement questions answers winners
Spring 2001: announcement questions answers winners

LINEAR ALGEBRA

Starting in 2017 we offer a Linear Algebra exam as well, in December. Participation is limited to students who will have finished an introductory Linear Algebra course during the prior 11 months (including the current semester). Questions are based on the topics that are in the intersection of the syllabi for M340L and M341, but are somewhat more involved than is typical for exams in those courses. Some questions may require proofs. Contestants have two hours to answer approximately five questions. A list of topics and notation used is available here.

Previous Linear Algebra exams:

DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Starting in 2018 we offer a Differential Equation exam as well, in May. Participation is limited to students who will have finished an introductory Differential Equations course during the prior 11 months (including the current semester). Questions are based on the topics in the syllabus for M427J at U.T. but are somewhat more involved than is typical for exams in that course. Course eligibility includes M427J-H and courses that transfer to UT as M427J or M427K. Contestants have two hours to answer approximately five questions.

Previous Differential Equations exams:

Photo: The Fall, 2011 participants in action!