Five students from John Brown University recently showcased their problem-solving skills at the Arkansas-Oklahoma Sectional Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America held in Edmond, Oklahoma from April 3 to 5. The students participated in competitions, including Math Jeopardy and an Integration Bee, bringing home a couple of wins, as well as cash prizes.
Luke Pipkin, Luke Main, Evie Elder, James Blalack and Elias Sabillon Valle tackled the Math Jeopardy competition on Thursday evening. Both JBU teams demonstrated strong mathematical knowledge in the initial rounds. However, one team’s gamble in final Jeopardy cost them the first round. However, the team composed of James Blalack and Luke Pipkin navigated the final round earning first place in the competition.
The event continued with the Integration Bee, a contest requiring participants to solve integrals quickly and accurately. Two JBU students distinguished themselves among the competitors. Evie Elder was a runner up, while Luke Pipkin took the winning spot in the Integration Bee.
When asked about his team’s strategy when competing in Jeopardy, Luke Pipkin, a senior mathematics major said, “In consideration of the score system, James and I were conservative when we answered a question. Frankly, James is a much stronger math student than I. While I had some great answers, I mainly tried to cover his blind spots and help him double-check his answers. At the end of it all, we had a really good day and won first place.”
The Arkansas-Oklahoma MAA Sectional Meeting provides a valuable opportunity for students to engage with mathematics beyond the classroom, network with peers and faculty from other institutions, and test their abilities in a competitive yet supportive environment.
Dr. Gregory Varner, JBU math professor, who also presented at the conference, said he hopes the students’ hard work will inspire future participants in the upcoming years.
“I think the students’ success shows the strength of our math program and the dedication of our students.” Varner said
Varner also said he was “very proud” of the students’ performance in the competition.
“I think that it highlighted their ability, growth and creativity in applying the skills they have learned.”
Photo courtesy of Gregory Varner
