Dillard University is hosting the 2012 Algebra Relay competition on April 4th, sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Department of Mathematics. [1] Teams of 5 students will work to solve 5 algebra problems within a 75 minute time limit, with each student having 15 minutes to solve an individual problem. [2] The competition aims to develop students' creative and analytical problem solving skills. [3] Winners will receive certificates and medals, and the top individual scores and team scores will be recognized.

1. DUROP Series: 2012 ALGEBRA RELAY
Sponsored by
Office of Undergraduate Research and Department of Mathematics
The Algebra Relay
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 * PSB 131
Relay: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Application Deadline: March 27, 2012
Dillard students are invited to enter teams in the 2012 Algebra Relay. This college math event is
comprised of teams of students who pass problems between them like a baton in a relay race, each time
answering a certain question involving a mathematics problem in a specified amount of time. Each team
is comprised of 5 students and a faculty mentor who will work toward the solution to five (5) problems.
Being able to explore a topic independently or in a group and to communicate what is learned is a vital
skill for anyone pursuing a career in any field of endeavor. The Algebra Relay offers Dillard students in
every major an opportunity, under the mentorship of a faculty member, to participate in a creative
interdisciplinary manner in a public forum. Student participants demonstrate creative, critical thinking
abilities, and analytical problem-solving skills. Faculty and staff are invited to come and encourage
their favorite teams.
The Algebra Relay is a collaborative between the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Department
of Mathematics.
Competition Rules and Guidelines
Contestants: A total 30 students will have an opportunity to participate in this event. Any student or
faculty member may participate. Students need not be math majors to participate. Individual students
may enter the competition independently or as teams of five students. Individual students will grouped to
comprise teams of five. Math Department faculty will not be eligible to participate as faculty mentors, and
students who are Math majors will participate as mentor assistants.
When and Where: The Algebra Relay will begin at 11:30 and awards will be announced at 2:30 p.m.,
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in the PBS 131.
Problems: A total of five problems will be selected by and covering topics chosen by the Math faculty.
Problems will rely on concepts covered in Math 121–College Algebra. It is expected that student
contestants will be familiar with the theories and concepts embodied in Math 121–College Algebra.
Time Limits: Each team will have a 75-minute limit to finish five (5) problems. Each contestant will be
given an average of 15-minutes to solve a problem. A team member’s unused time will be added to next
team member’s remaining time. Any unused minutes will be passed on for use by the team and
considered an advantage to the team.
Each contestant must work independently on their individual competition question. No collaboration or
outside assistance is permitted during the competition. The scores of each student on a team will be
combined for a team score.
Preparation: To do well on the Algebra Relay, it is recommended that team members review the Math–
121 syllabus under the guidance of their faculty mentor. Please register for the Algebra Relay as soon as
possible. Early registration will provide team members with ample time to read and familiarize
themselves with the MATH–121 SYLLABUS and all pre-competition activities (see attachment).
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2. DUROP 2012 ALGEBRA RELAY -- Competition Rules & Guidelines Page 2
Judges: The Algebra Relay will be judged by three faculty members from the Department of
Mathematics.
Scoring: Each problem will be graded on a basis of 0 to 10 points. All the necessary work to justify an
answer and all the necessary steps of a proof must be shown clearly to obtain full credit. Some partial
credit may be given, but only when a contestant has shown significant and substantial progress toward a
solution. In addition, each problem will begin with a 15-point advantage representing 1 point per minute
and a total of 75 points per team.
Announcements: Winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 6, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. The names of
the TOP TEN (that is, the first and second places for each problem) scoring student contestants and the
three highest scoring teams will be announced in a University wide communiqué*.
Winners: The highest scoring students and teams will be categorized as follows:
Individual Categories Award
Dillard Math Fellow (5) --Highest Score Each Team Member tba
Dillard Math Associate (5) --Second Highest Score Each Team Member tba
Honorable Mention --Every contestant CERTIFICATE
Team Categories Award
st
1 Place Team CERTIFICATE AND GOLD MEDAL
nd
2 Place Team CERTIFICATE AND SILVER MEDAL
rd
3 Place Team CERTIFICATE AND BRONZE MEDAL
______________________
* The top three teams and the top ten individual contestants, in the categories described above, will be
recognized in the DUUR NEWS together with the problems and solutions.
How to Enter
Students interested in competing in the Algebra Relay are asked to complete and return the attached
Entry Form to: Ms. Lynn Strong, Director, Undergraduate Research, PSB 250 by Tuesday March 27.
There is no registration fee.
More Information: Please contact Ms. Lynn Strong, Director of Undergraduate Research at
lstrong@dillard.edu or telephone: 504-816-4446.
Note: The Dillard Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Series (DUROP Series) was instituted
in 2006 to emphasize and feature programs and activities that foster research and creative experiences
for students. Sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research, the Series enables students to
participate in a variety of ways and to develop a community of peers with similar research and creative
interests outside of the classroom. Series activities are directed by faculty members and staff with a
strong interest in undergraduate research and who enrich the program by sharing their experiences with
students. The focus of DUUROP Series activities are interdisciplinary in nature and, in many cases, offer
students options to demonstrate their skills and the product of their research or creative work in a public
forum.
DUROP:10/12
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