An Introduction to CUMCM: China/Contemporary Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling

Abstract

China Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling (CUMCM) is a national event held annually in China since 1992. The first character “C” in CUMCM is now redefined as “Contemporary” for participants from outside China Mainland. During the three-day contest, teams of up to three undergraduate students investigate, model, and submit a solution to one of two simulated real-world problems in engineering, management, etc. The aim of the contest is to expose students to the real-world challenges inherent to mathematical modeling and applications, and provide educational (creativity, challenge, etc.) experience unique to problem bare learning. The contest has been influenced by and has also significantly influenced the teaching of mathematical modeling and applications in China. In this paper, we briefly introduce the aims and scope, organization, and achievement of CUMCM. In particular, we explain why CUMCM is so successful in China. We also talk about some problems and difficulties for the contest we currently face.

Appendix

PROBLEM TITLES FOR CUMCM 1992–2011 (For details, see http://en.mcm.edu.cn)

(92A) Analysis on Fertilization Effect. (92B) Decomposition of Some Experimental Data. (93A) Frequency Design of Intermodulation Signal. (93B) Sorting Football Teams. (94A) Designing a Road in a Mountain Area. (94B) Packing Locks into Boxes. (95A) Air Traffic Control. (95B) Operations Management of Cranes and Furnace. (96A) Optimal Strategy for Fishing. (96B) Water Saving Procedure for Washing Machine. (97A) Designing Parameters of the Component Parts. (97B) Sectional Cuttings. (98A) Returns and Risks of Investment. (98B) Inspection Tours in a Disaster Area. (99A) Management of an Automated Lathe. (99B) Layout of Exploratory Wells. (99C) Heaping up the Gangue. (99D) Layout of Exploratory Wells (similar to 99B). (00A) Classification of DNA sequences. (00B) Ordering and Transportation of Steel Pipe. (00C) Flying over the North Pole Area. (00D) Hole Exploration. (01A) 3D Rebuilding for Blood Vessel. (01B) Buses Scheduling. (01C) Fund Plan. (01D) Buses Scheduling (similar to 01B). (02A) Optimal Design for Light Source of Headlights. (02B) Mathematics in Lottery Ticket. (02C) Optimal Design for Light Source of Headlights (similar to 02A). (02D) Match Schedule Arrangement. (03A) Transmission of SARS. (03B) Truck Planning for an Opencast Iron Mine. (03C) Transmission of SARS (similar to 03A). (03D) Speedily Crossing the Yangtze River. (04A) Planning Temporary Mini Supermarkets for the Olympic Games. (04B) Transmission Congestion Management of Electricity Market. (04C) Drinking and Driving. (04D) Recruiting Government Officers. (05A) Water Quality Evaluation and Prediction of the Yangtze River. (05B) Online DVD Rental Business. (05C) Evaluation of Rain Forecasting Methods. (05D) Online DVD Rental Business (similar to CUMCM-05B). (06A) Resource Allocation of a Publishing House. (06B) The Assessment and Prediction of the AIDS Treatments. (06C) Optimal design of the shape and dimension of beverage cans. (06D) Inspecting and Controlling of Gas and Coal Dust. (07A) Prediction of China Population Growth. (07B) Public Transportation Routes Selection Problem. (07C) How Many Benefits Does A Package Deal Offer? (07D) Scheduling for physical performance tests. (08A) Digital Camera Positioning. (08B) On the Tuition in Higher Education. (08C) Search in an area. (08D) Analysis and Evaluation of the NBA Schedule. (09A) Analysis on control method of brake test bench. (09B) Assignment of Hospital Beds. (09C) Tracking satellites or spaceships. (09D) Conference Preparations. (10A) Position Identification and Capacity Table Calibration of Oil Tanks. (10B) A quantitative evaluation on the influence of Expo 2010 Shanghai. (10C) Planning the oil pipeline. (10D) Evaluation for four designs of student dormitory. (11A) Heavy Metals Contamination in Urban Topsoil. (11B) Setting and Scheduling of Traffic and Patrol Police Service Platforms. (11C) System Reform of Retired Enterprises Employees. (11D) Natural Casing Bundling Problem.