April 23, 2012
Problem solvers: Four students earn honors in S. Thomas Parker Mathematics Competition
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Four Kansas State University students are being recognized for their outstanding performance in the 14th annual S. Thomas Parker Mathematics Competition.
The competition was March 31 in Cardwell Hall. Funded by the S. Thomas Parker endowment and the K-State Math Club, the event encourages K-State students to strengthen their mathematical skills and is a way to promote mathematics education amongst students. The competition committee, consisting of three K-State mathematics professors, organizes the event.
The competition is open to all K-State students who are in their first two years of college as a full-time student. Participants are given three hours to solve six mathematics problems ranging from high-school level through the first two years of collegiate mathematics.
This year's competition had two first-place winners, each receiving a cash prize of $250; a third-place winner receiving $100; and one honorable mention recipient receiving $20. In addition to the cash award and a personal certificate, each Parker Competition winner receives a framed certificate to be posted in a student organization of his or her choice, honoring its member's achievement.
Students receiving honors in this year's S. Thomas Parker Mathematics Competition include:
Max Goering, junior in physics and mathematics, McPherson, first-place tie; and Leiming Tang, sophomore in biochemistry, Stilwell, honorable mention.
From out of state: Yang Chen, freshman in computer science, Rosemead, Calif., first-place tie.
From China: Yukun Qin, senior in mathematics and physics, third place.
The awards were presented at the annual Friends of Mathematics Banquet, April 19, at the K-State Student Union.
More information about the S. Thomas Parker Mathematics Competition is available at http://www.math.ksu.edu/main/events/parker-mathcomp or by calling the department of mathematics at 785-532-6750.