The Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) is a multi-day mathematics competition held annually in USA, during the first or second weekend in February, since 1985 by COMAP and sponsored by SIAM, the NSA, and INFORMS. It is distinguished from other major mathematical competitions such as Putnam by its strong focus on research, originality, teamwork, communication and justification of results. It runs concurrently with the Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM).
At the beginning of the contest, teams have a choice between two problems. Problem A involves a system that requires the use of continuous mathematics, and thus often involves concepts from geometry, physics, or engineering. Problem B involves a system that requires the use of discrete mathematics. In 2016, a "data insights" problem was added, where teams are given access to database files and tasked with using them to answer a question. This problem was designated as Problem C, though previously, Problem C referred to an ICM problem. These problems tend to be open-ended, and are drawn from all fields of science, business, and public policy. Past problems include
Estimate the global effects of a large asteroid impacting Antarctica (1999 A)
Study the hunting strategies of velociraptor dinosaurs based on fossil data (1997 A)
Develop a more efficient method of boarding passengers onto large commercial jets (2007 B)
Teams have 96 hours to research and submit their solutions in the form of a research paper. During this time, they may consult any available references, but may not discuss their problem with anyone outside their teams. Several guides containing advice and recommendations for teams and/or advisors have been published online or in print.
Participation and Awards
Thousands of international teams of three undergraduates compete to produce original mathematical papers in response to one of two modeling problems. Initially, participation was largely from the United States, however in recent years international participation has grown significantly, particularly from the People's Republic of China, so that in 2007 teams from the United States comprised only 24% of total participation. In 2014, the percentage of teams from the People's Republic of China reached a record high of 92.9%.
After the competition, all papers are judged and placed into the following categories:
Unsuccessful Participant
Successful Participant (approximately 40% of teams)
Honorable Mention (approximately 25% of teams)
Meritorious Winner (usually 10 to 15% of teams)
Finalist (approximately 1% of teams)
Outstanding Winner (less than .5% of teams)
Until 2009, Outstanding Winner papers were published in The UMAP Journal.
7636 teams participated
Problem A Outstanding Winners
Northwestern Polytechnical University, China
State University of New York, University at Buffalo, NY — MAA Prize Recipient
Chongqing University, China — SIAM Prize Recipient
Central South University, China — Ben Fusaro Award
University of Adelaide, Australia — INFORMS Prize Recipient
Problem B Outstanding Winners
University of Colorado Boulder, CO — SIAM Prize Recipient & Two Sigma Scholarship Award
Bethel University, MN — MAA Prize Recipient & Frank Giordano Award
University of Colorado Boulder, CO
Colorado College, CO — INFORMS Prize Recipient
Tsinghua University, China
6755 teams participated
Problem A Outstanding Winners
Shanghai Jiaotong University, China
Tsinghua University, China — INFORMS & Ben Fusaro Award
Nanjing University, China
Zhejiang University, China— SIAM Prize Recipient
Beijing Normal University, China
Tufts University, MA — MAA Prize Recipient
Problem B Outstanding Winners
Chongqing University, China
University of International Business and Economics, China
Southeast University, China
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China — Frank Giordano Award
Southwest University for Nationalities, China — SIAM Prize Recipient
College of Information Science and Engineering; Northeastern University, China
NC School of Science and Mathematics, NC — INFORMS & MAA Prize Recipient
5636 teams participated
Problem A Outstanding Winners
Bethel University, MN — MAA Prize Recipient
Fudan University, China
Peking University, China
Shandong University, China — INFORMS Prize Recipient
Shanghai Jiaotong University, China
University of Colorado Boulder, CO — SIAM Prize Recipient
Tongji University, China — Ben Fusaro Award (Finalist)
Problem B Outstanding Winners
Beijing Univ. of Posts and Telecomm, China
Colorado College, CO — Frank Giordano Award
Nanjing University, China — INFORMS Prize Recipient
Tsinghua University, China — SIAM Prize Recipient
University of Colorado Boulder, CO — MAA Prize Recipient
3697 teams participated
Problem A Outstanding Winners
Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
National University of Singapore, Singapore — Ben Fusaro Award
Shanghai Foreign Language School, China — INFORMS Prize Recipient
Zhejiang University, China — SIAM Prize Recipient
Cornell University, NY — MAA Prize Recipient (Finalist)
Problem B Outstanding Winners
Bethel University, MN
Peking University, China
University of Colorado, CO — MAA Prize Recipient
University of Colorado, CO — INFORMS Prize Recipient
University of Louisville, KY — SIAM Prize Recipient
Western Washington University, WA — Frank Giordano Award
2775 teams participated
Problem A Outstanding Winners
Eastern Oregon University, OR — MAA Prize Recipient
Peking University, China
Tsinghua University, China —SIAM Prize Recipient
University of Western Ontario, Canada — INFORMS Prize Recipient & Ben Fusaro Award
Problem B Outstanding Winners
Harvey Mudd College, CA — SIAM Prize Recipient
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
University of Electronic Science and Technology, China — INFORMS Prize Recipient & Ben Fusaro Award
Virginia Tech, VA — MAA Prize Recipient
