K-State's math modeling team designated meritorious

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Source: David Auckly, 785-532-0577, dav@k-state.edu

Friday, March 30, 2007

K-STATE'S MATH MODELING TEAM DESIGNATED MERITORIOUS

MANHATTAN -- A team of Kansas State University students was designated Meritorious in the world in the 2007 Mathematical Contest in Modeling. The contest is an annual online competition for teams of undergraduates to use mathematical modeling to solve real world problems.

Only 14 teams world wide were given a higher rating than the K-State team, said adviser David Auckly, professor of mathematics.

"A total of 949 teams competed including two teams from K-State," Auckly said. "Each team of three students had to choose one of two different mathematical modeling problems and then work together at their institution to solve the problem. One problem was about designing congressional districts, and the other was about boarding planes."

The K-State team consisting of Eli Parke, senior in physics, Hays; Kevin McBeth, senior in mathematics, Topeka; and Patrick Stewart, senior in physics from Wichita, was designated a Meritorious Winner. They worked on the district problem.

The K-State team consisting of seniors in mathematics Ashley Wheeler, Manhattan; and Alyson Deines and Dory Deines, both from Woodbine, also solved the district problem and was designated a Successful Participant.

Professors David Auckly, Ivan Blank, Marianne Korten, Diego Maldonado, Virginia Naibo and Misha Roitman are the K-State Mathematical Contest in Modeling team advisers.