Washington and Lee University
This link will download a pdf file with the problems of the month.
The first problem is worth $1, there will be 5 students awards and 5 faculty/staff awards given. The second problem is worth $5 and 2 student awards and 2 faculty/staff awards will be given. The first ones to submit correct solutions - not just correct answers, but correct answers with correct explainations - win prizes.
Easier Problem: Is it easier (more likely) for one to flip two coins and get at least one heads or to flip four coins and get at least two heads? Why? A variant of this problem has been attributed to Isaac Newton.
Harder Problem: If f is any polynomial, then prove that there exist two other polynomials p and q whose graphs are both increasing functions on the entire real line and such that f = p-q.
Submit your solutions to Professor Feldman by either placing them in his mailbox in Robinson Hall or taking them to his office (Robinson Hall 31), or sending an e-mail message (this option only applies if there are not to many equations or you type them in Microsoft Word or in LaTeX).
