The results from the 2011 Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) have been posted. As you may know, this is the premiere mathematical modeling contest involving over 2700 teams from around the world. Strong performances over the last decade have improved our visibility as a top undergraduate mathematics program. Both teams completed the contest and submitted excellent reports. One team, consisting of Eric Sabo, Mike Queppet and Robert Deaton earned a Meritorious rating, putting them in the top 15% worldwide. The other team, consisting of Mark Lin, Evan Kimpel and Ricky Shum earned a Successful rating. While this is the rating received by the bottom 55%, I would like to point out that this team tied the best and only team fielded by MIT this year. It's tough contest and attracts the best and brightest from around the world.

In MCM, effective teams must produce a paper that spans the golden triangle (modeling, analysis and computation) of mathematics to produce unique insights into a complex problem. To do well, students must pull together knowledge from many different areas of study. Teams choose one of two problems. This year, both teams chose the snowboarding problem.

This year, the contest officials posted more information than usual about the problems and the judging. Also, there is a new media contest and they have posted top entries in this area as well.

http://www.comap.com/undergraduate/contests/mcm/contests/2011/results/