MCM Suggestions

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MCM Suggestions

• Brian Pike, bapike_at_email.unc.edu
• January 15, 2009

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Format

• 4 days to
• Select 1 problem from 3 given (usually
  continuous, discrete and interdisciplinary)
• Use math to attempt to solve the problem
• Write a paper presenting your solution
• Partial solutions are acceptable
• Some winning solutions are published in UMAP
  Journal

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Last years problems

• Consider the effects on land from the melting of
  the north polar ice cap due to the predicted
  increase in global temperatures. Specifically,
  model the effects on the coast of Florida every
  ten years for the next 50 years due to the
  melting, with particular attention given to large
  metropolitan areas. Propose appropriate responses
  to deal with this. A careful discussion of the
  data used is an important part of the answer.

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Last years problems

• Develop an algorithm to construct Sudoku puzzles
  of varying difficulty. Develop metrics to define
  a difficulty level. The algorithm and metrics
  should be extensible to a varying number of
  difficulty levels. You should illustrate the
  algorithm with at least 4 difficulty levels. Your
  algorithm should guarantee a unique solution.
  Analyze the complexity of your algorithm. Your
  objective should be to minimize the complexity of
  the algorithm and meet the above requirements.

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Last years problems

• Study health care systems for various nations
• Find metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of
  their systems
• Find the necessary data to calculate these
  metrics
• Compare the United States health care system
  with other countries
• Pick a country and suggest ways to improve their
  system

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Before the contest starts

• Eliminate other obligations
• Set deadlines
• Deciding on a problem
• When to start writing?
• Know each others strengths

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Before the contest starts

• Read over
• A few outstanding papers
• Some outstanding summaries/abstracts
• Some Judges commentaries
• The rules

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Before it starts -- Logistics

• When are group members available?
• Where will you work?
• Computers?
• Printers?
• Whiteboards/Chalkboards?
• What word processor will you use?
• How will you share your work files?

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Contest Starts (8 PM EST on Thursday February 5,
2009)

• Problems available at one of
• http//www.comap.com/undergraduate/contests/mcm
• http//www.comap-math.com/mcm/
• Initial brainstorming of both problems

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Early On

• Talk through all problems spend at least an hour
  or two on both problems before deciding
• What resources could help?
• Start simple and build up
• Take notes

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Communicating ideas

• I dont understand.
• Or
• Restate their idea in your own words as best you
  can Youre saying that we should
• Listen!
• Keep everyone involved

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Communicating criticism

• Constructive criticism is good!
• Preface criticism with a compliment
• Everyone has good ideas, and everyones ideas can
  be made better

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Conflict resolution

• Its tempting to vote
• Dont Operate by consensus
• Hear the dissenting voice

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In general

• Important things
• Sleep
• Food
• Breaks
• Everyone can always be busy

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Writing the paper

• Ideal participant An English major with a minor
  in Math.
• Start writing soon
• Longer isnt necessarily better
• Can divvy up sections, but
• Everyone should edit everything -- twice

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Contest Ends (8 PM EST on Monday February 9, 2009)

• Summary Sheet
• Paper copy of your solution paper
• An electronic copy in Word or PDF format
• All team members must sign the control sheet

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Judging
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Judging

• Repeated cullings based on partial readings by
  some of the judges
• Your Summary is vital!
• The most important part
• Make them want to read the rest of the paper
• Finally, all judges read all of the remaining
  papers to decide between Meritorious and
  Outstanding

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Questions?