The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Mathematics and Statistics was the recent host of a highly competitive Calculus Bowl on Friday, April 6.

Several math clubs from universities across the state were in attendance, representing the University of Central Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, and the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College.  

At the start of the afternoon, the students filed into the Engineering, Technology and Science building for registration, and afterward, gathered in a classroom to compete in the calculus contest. Here, students competed as individuals, working through a timed, 15 question calculus exam without the use of calculators or phones.

Following the competition, students enjoyed a lunch of fresh pizza and refreshments while grooving to the sounds of “We Few,” a UA Little Rock student band composed of drummer, Seraphim Lawhorn; guitarist, Dallas Smith; and standing base guitarist, Jordan Anderson.

Once students were refueled and refreshed, they huddled into their groups for the main event – Math Jeopardy. Each team was given an instrument, such as a bell, rattle, symbol, or drumsticks, for sounding off and letting the game’s orchestrator know they had an answer. As the reigning champs, UAPB selected the first question.

As the game took off, the anticipation among the students grew. While some questions caused silence to fall upon the room as students penciled their calculations, others garnered an almost immediate response, showcasing the wit and intelligence of the math whizzes.

Finally, the game came to an end and UAPB once again took home the title of the winning team. This group was awarded a $200 cash prize to go toward its math club. Individual winners of the overall competition were also announced. These students were selected for having the highest scores in the calculus contest. Individual prizes included two $100 cash prizes, ten $20 cash prizes, and ten $10 cash prizes. These students and their placements included:

• First place – Joseph Filipek, UA Little Rock
• Second place – Travis Chism, Arkansas Tech
• Third place – Zach Smith, UA Little Rock
• Fourth place – Justa Frank, Arkansas Tech; Jesse Griffiths, Arkansas Tech; Chandrasimha Penthala, UA Little Rock; Azaryah Wilson, UCA
• Fifth place – Tyrone Brock,UAPB; Timothy Coth, Pulaski Tech; Christopher Flocken, UA Little Rock; Hayden Henson, UA Little Rock
• Sixth place: Gilberto Guerra, UA Little Rock; Robert Hill, UA Little Rock; Nickolai Knight, UAPB; Paloma Salazar, UA Little Rock;  Eric Sutherland, UA Little Rock
• Seventh place: Brycelynn Bailey, Arkansas Tech; Madison Gartch, UCA; Matthew Horn, UA Little Rock; Tyler Huffstutler, Arkansas State; Aaron Jackson, UA Little Rock; Shamara Lawrence, UAPB; Verenice Perez, UA Little Rock; Humphrey Wanjala, UA Little Rock

For more information, contact event coordinator, Dr. Xiu Ye, at xxye@ualr.edu.