Update: Contestants Apply Models - Unknown Pumpkin Revealed!
Halloween Party Announcement
Pumpkin Photo Gallery
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and the Math Club proudly announce The Great Pumpkin Contest. 16 pumpkins (and an undetermined number of assorted gourds) have dispersed throughout the 3rd floor of Lansing to protect the identity and dignity of their revered leader, The Unknown Pumpkin. They are willing to subject themselves to relentless inquisition by students, and even eventual pieness (if it should come to that).
The students, coming singly or in groups of two or three, and armed with tape-measures, rulers, and perhaps even calipers, will measure, count, estimate, correlate, and generally learn everything they can from the pumpkins (without using any kind of harsh techniques of course). They do this in order to discover the most closely gourded secret of the Unknown Pumpkin - its weight. Great treasures have been offered to the students who come closest to determining this weight. But this is no guessing game - the students must prepare a detailed model that when applied to the Unknown Pumpkin, will accurately predict its weight. They may use spreadsheets, computer programs, and any method of mathematical or computer modeling that they desire, but they only have until Noon on October 31, to submit their models. Then on All Hallows Eve, students will gather for food, drink, and festivity. The Unknown Pumpkin will appear unmasked and ungourded, to present itself for the final inquisition, and to at last share its secret....
Guidelines for Competitors
The overall goal of the contest is for competitors to examine the dimensions and known weights of several available pumpkins, and then produce a mathematical or computer model that will accurately predict the weight of an unknown pumpkin. The creator(s) of the model that produces the closest prediction will be declared the winner of the contest. (Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 models.)
Rules
The models will be applied by the contestants under the careful eye of a few faculty judges at a brief refreshment gathering late Halloween afternoon (time to be announced). The sole criterion for judging a properly submitted model will be how closely it predicts the weight of the Unknown Pumpkin. The following prizes will be awarded:
Please join us between 4:00 and 5:00 pm today, OCTOBER 31, in Lansing 310 for Halloween Treats and the unmasking of the Unknown Pumpkin. Students will apply their models to determine the weight of the Unknown Pumpkin and the best will win fabulous prizes. But don't feel left out. We are also holding a special "guessing" contest, and you could win a prize, too! (The Unknown Pumpkin is currently gourding this special prize.) Just guess the weight of the Unknown Pumpkin before it is unmasked. Reminder to students submitting models: You should submit your models by 12:00 noon today to Kevin Mitchell or Scotty Orr. (See below for details.) Note: When we're done, all pumpkins will be distributed among interested participants.
See you at the party! (Costumes optional)
On All Hallows Eve, the Student Inquisitors and curious onlookers gathered in Lansing 310 for a feast, and awaited the unmasking of the Unknown Pumpkin. Finally, a black-caped figure baring fangs brought the mysterious pumpkin forward. After all interested attendees submitted private speculations about the secret of the Unknown Pumpkin, the mask was removed and the pumpkin was subjected to the same grueling probing and handling that all of its gourds had previously suffered at the hands of the Inquisitors.
After excruciating minutes of measuring, tabulating, and calculating, the Inquisitors presented their findings to the impartial panel of October Judges. At long last, the Supreme Judge opened the secret envelope and revealed the closely-gourded, long-held Secret of the Unknown Pumpkin.
The Weight of the Unknown Pumpkin: 188.5 oz (or 5.34 kg).
The Unknown Pumpkin confounded all of its inquisitors that fateful night. However, with treasures offered to the three teams that came closest to revealing its secret, the following prizes were awarded and the winners celebrated:
A special prize went to the attendee who guessed closest to the secret without using a model. Kristopher Anauo won this prize with a guess of 5.35kg! He must have had a subconscious, supernatural connection to the Unknown Pumpkin.
As the festivities wound down, the contestants and other interested parties claimed the various pumpkins for future pies and pumpkin seeds. You can check out some of the action of the long October days and nights at the Great Pumpkin Photo Gallery.
Until next year, when the next Unknown Pumpkin arrives in its black mask, and with its many gourds, may your pi's be round, and your squares complete...