A national competition in mathematics problem-solving skills was no problem for MU junior Greg Jones who emerged as champion. In fact, he was the only competitor to solve all the problems at the Aug. 2 competition in Providence, RI
The national student competition sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) is a test of endurance. Competitors have seven problems to complete in 35 minutes, and they must be answered in sequence. Competitors work against each other and the ticking of the clock.
Jones noticed that he wasn't the first person to complete problem No. 1, but after the second or third problem he knew he was in the lead. "A mix of adrenaline, testosterone and a sugar rush helped me reach my goal," he says. The sugar rush was planned.
Jones completed all seven problems with 15 minutes to spare. "It was a little weird to sit around for that long trying to keep the grin off my face," he says. The problems covered areas such as functions or integrals, basic kinematics, plane geometry, hyperdimensional cubes and combinatorics.
Jones, who is from Kirksville, Mo., is getting used to winning awards. In winter semester 1999, he was a member of MU's mathematics team that captured first place in the Missouri MAA Collegiate Mathematics Competition. He was joined in that achievement by teammates Ben Ingrum and Don Vought.
Although he's always had a natural affinity for math, Jones says it was mathematics Professor Calvin Ahlbrandt who brought out "the mathematician" in him in fall 1998.
Jones wants to work in theoretical physics, probably at a university. Most likely, he will attempt to specialize in gravitation, particle physics or a merger of the two.