Spring 2019 1

THE PENTAGON

A Mathematics Magazine for Students

Volume 78 Number 2 Spring 2019

Contents

Kappa Mu Epsilon National Officers 3

Elliptic Curve Cryptography 4
Alissa Whiteley
Expressing Natural Numbers Using Ones 20
Maria Aiello, Lottie Page, Faith Pudlo
The Problem Corner 23
Kappa Mu Epsilon News 35
Active Chapters of Kappa Mu Epsilon 58

c 2019 by Kappa Mu Epsilon (http://www.kappamuepsilon.org). All

rights reserved. General permission is granted to KME members for non-
commercial reproduction in limited quantities of individual articles, in
whole or in part, provided complete reference is given as to the source.
Typeset in Scientific Word and WinEdt. Printed in the United States of
America.
2 The Pentagon

The Pentagon (ISSN 0031-4870) is published semiannually in December and May

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Spring 2019 3

Kappa Mu Epsilon National Officers

Brian Hollenbeck President
Department of Mathematics and Economics
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS 66801
[email protected]

Leah Childers President-Elect

Department of Mathematics
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS 66762
[email protected]

Mark Hamner Secretary

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Texas Woman’s University
Denton, TX 76204
[email protected]

David Dempsey Treasurer

Department of Mathematical, Computing, & Information Sciences
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL 36265
[email protected]

Cynthia Huffman Historian

Department of Mathematics
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS 66762
[email protected]

John W. Snow Webmaster

Department of Mathematics
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Belton, TX 76513
KME National Website:
http://www.kappamuepsilon.org/
4 The Pentagon

Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Alissa Whiteley, student

Maryland Delta

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, MD 21532

Abstract
Elliptic curves are defined by equations of the form y 2 = p(x), where p(x)
is a cubic polynomial. Their mathematical properties have made them very
useful in some modern encryption algorithms making up the field called
Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). Of particular importance is the ad-
dition operation that can be performed on an elliptic curve whereby two
points on the curve can be “added” to yield a third point on the curve. The
geometric version of this addition rule leads to its algebraic equivalent.
When the curve’s coefficients and solutions are taken from a finite field,
the proper setting is formed for applications to cryptography. The fact
that the “Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem” is difficult to solve
is the key to the effectiveness of ECC. The Elliptic Diffie-Hellman Key
Exchange algorithm uses this property to perform a secure private key ex-
change between two parties in the presence of eavesdroppers. This paper
investigates the mathematics behind the addition of points on an elliptic
curve and how this leads to an effective encryption technique allowing se-
cure key exchanges.

Introduction
Elliptic Curve Cryptography provides a process of sending a private key
from one party, Alice, to another party, Bob, securely in the presence of an
eavesdropper. In order to do this without hand delivering it, Elliptic Curve
Cryptography is used. The private key is used to encrypt and decrypt a
message using Data Encryption Standard (DES) or Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES).
Spring 2019 5

The Elliptic Curve

The elliptic curve that is used is in the Weierstrass Normal Form [6]:
y 2 = x3 + Ax + B
where (x, y) ∈ R2 and A and B must satisfy the following to avoid having
singular points where a tangent line would not be defined:
4A3 + 27B 2 6= 0.
This equation along with the point at infinity is what defines a curve over
the field of real numbers.

Figure 1

The points of an elliptic curve form an abelian group [4]. Therefore,

they have the following properties: closure, associativity, commutativity,
an identity and an inverse. The definition of these properties, in the context
of elliptic curve addition, are as follows [6]:
1. The closure property: If points P and Q are on the elliptic curve
E , then the point P ⊕ Q will be on the curve as well.
2. The associative property: If P, Q and R are points on the curve E ,
then (P ⊕ Q) ⊕ R = P ⊕ (Q ⊕ R) .
3. The commutative property: If P and Q are points on the curve E
then P ⊕ Q = Q ⊕ P.
4. The identity: there exists a point O such that, for all points P on
the curve E , P ⊕ O = O ⊕ P = P.
5. The inverse: For all points P on the curve E , there exists a point
−P such that P ⊕ (−P ) = O.
The point O is the point at infinity. Projective geometry allows one to
define this point rigorously. Here we view O informally as the “horizon
6 The Pentagon

point” common to all vertical lines.

Geometric Definition of the Addition of Two Different Points
In figure 2, we have our ellip-
tic curve E : y 2 = x3 − 2x +
8 with points P = (−2, 2), and
Q = (−1, 3) on the curve. We
will find P ⊕ Q. If a line is drawn
through the two points, P and Q,
the line will always intersect the
curve at a third point, R (where R
will be taken to be O if P and Q
lie on a vertical line). Then, the
third point, R, is reflected over the
axis of symmetry, the x-axis in this
case. The point that is the result of Figure 2
this reflection is the desired result,
P ⊕ Q.
Geometric Definition of the Addition of a Point with Itself
In figure 3, given an elliptic
curve E : y 2 = x3 − 8x + 4,
with the point P = (0, 2) on the
curve, we will find P ⊕ P . This
will be done by counting P as two
points. If a line is drawn through
P tangent to the curve E , the line
will intersect the curve at a third
point, R. Then, the third point, R,
is reflected over the line of sym-
metry, the x-axis in this case. The
point that is found is P ⊕ P ; as de-
sired. Figure 3

Algebraic Definition of Addition

The following theorem is an algebraic approach to what was shown above
geometrically.
Spring 2019 7

Theorem 1 Let P and Q be points on an elliptic curve, E , over the field

of real numbers with the equation, y 2 = x3 + Ax + B . Then, the following
hold [6]:
1. If P = O, then P ⊕ Q = Q = Q ⊕ P.
2. Let P = (x1 , y1 ) and Q = (x2 , y2 ).
a) If x1 = x2 and y1 = −y2 , thenP ⊕ Q = O = Q ⊕ P.
b) Generally, the point P ⊕ Q = (x3 , y3 ),
where x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2 and y3 = λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 and
λ is defined by:
y2 − y1

 x − x f or P 6= Q


2 1
λ= 2+A .
3x 1
f or P = Q



2y1
3. P ⊕ Q = Q ⊕ P.
Proof. First, we derive the formulas in (2b). This proof can be found in
[6] and [9]. When P = Q, we need to compute the slope of the tangent
line to the curve. In particular, we will show that the slope of the line
through point P tangent to the curve, E , is:
dy 3x2 + A
= 1 .
dx 2y1
Consider:
y 2 = x3 + Ax + B.
Taking the derivative, with respect to x, of both sides:

d 2 d 3
(y ) = (x + Ax + B)
dx dx
dy
⇒ 2y = 3x2 + A
dx
dy 3x2 + A
⇒ = .
dx 2y
Evaluated at point P = Q = (x1 , y1 ) :
dy 3x1 2 + A
= ,
dx 2y1
as desired.
We now prove the formula for x3 and y3 in (2b). Let λ be the slope
of the line through the two points P = (x1 , y1 ) and Q = (x2 , y2 ) on the
elliptic curve E : y 2 = x3 +Ax+B. Then, the line L through these points,
8 The Pentagon

with slope λ has the following equation:

y−y1 = λ (x − x1 )
⇒ y = λ (x − x1 ) + y1
⇒ y = λx − λx1 + y1
⇒ y = λx + y1 − λx1 .
For simplicity we let v = y1 − λx1 . Therefore, L : y = λx + v. Then, to
find where the line intersects the curve again, we plug L into E :
(λx + v)2 = x3 + Ax + B
⇒ λ2 x2 + 2vλx + v 2 = x3 + Ax + B
⇒ 0 = x3 − λ2 x2 + (A − 2vλ) x + B − v 2 .

We know that x = x1 and x = x2 are roots. So, x3 will be our third point
of intersection. Therefore:
x3 − λ2 x2 + (A − 2vλ) x + B − v 2 = (x − x1 ) (x − x2 ) (x − x3 )

⇒ x3 − λ2 x2 + (A − 2vλ) x + B − v 2

= x3 − (x1 + x2 + x3 ) x2 + (x1 x2 + x2 x3 + x1 x3 ) x − x1 x2 x3 .
It must be the case that the coefficient of x2 on the right must be equal to
the coefficient of x2 on the left. Therefore, x1 + x2 + x3 = λ2 . Solving for
x3 gives us x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2 . We know y = λx + v , and v = y1 − λx1 ,
so:
y = λx3 + v
⇒ y = λx3 + y1 − λx1
⇒ y = λ(x3 − x1 ) + y1 .
Then, we reflect the point over the x-axis, so we get −y so that y3 =
λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 . So, the point P ⊕ Q = (x3 , y3 ) where x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2
and y3 = λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 , as desired.
We now discuss the commutative property: we need to show that for all
points P, Q ∈ E , it is true that P ⊕ Q = Q ⊕ P . The proof we give here
can be found in [9]. Let P = (x1 , y1 ) and Q = (x2 , y2 ) on the elliptic
curve E . The slope of the line through P and Q, is going to be the same
as the slope through Q and P . Since they have the same slope and we can
choose either of the points to plug into the point-slope formula to obtain
the equation of the line, the line through P and Q is the same as the line
through Q and P . Therefore, since the two lines are the same, this line
will intersect the curve E at a third point R. Reflecting this point over the
x-axis returns the same point P ⊕ Q or Q ⊕ P no matter which point we
started with.
Spring 2019 9

Now that the addition of points

on elliptic curves over the field of
real numbers has been defined, we
can look at the identity in more de-
tail. The identity property states
that for every P ∈ E there exists
a point, O, such that P ⊕ O =
O ⊕ P = P. We want to show that
taking O to be the point at infin-
ity is a good choice. So, consider
P ⊕O. We see that the line passing
through the point, P = (x, y) and Figure 4
O is the vertical line passing through P . This line intersects the curve at
a third point, P 0 = (x, −y), which is the reflection over the x-axis of the
point P . (Or, if y = 0, this third point, P 0 , will be P .) Since P ⊕ O is
the reflection of P 0 over the x-axis, P ⊕ O = P , as desired and shown in
figure 4. Therefore, O must be the point at infinity.
The Inverse
Consider the additive inverse of
a point P = (x, y). We can see
that the inverse is the reflection of
the point P . Therefore, the inverse
is P 0 = (x, −y). The line through
P and P 0 is vertical so, the third
point on that line is going to be O.
If this point O is reflected over the
x-axis, it will again be O, since a
vertical line can only intersect one Figure 5
point at infinity, shown in figure 5.
Again, this can be proven more rigorously using projective geometry.
Therefore, −P is the inverse of P , as desired. A more in-depth expla-
nation of this can be found in Avner Ash’s book, Elliptic Tales: Curves,
Counting, and Number Theory [1]. The associative property can be proven
as well, but it is more complicated. This proof can be found in Silverman’s
book Rational Points on Elliptic Curves [9].
It is now clear that the set of rational points on an elliptic curve forms
an abelian group. This is because if (x1 , y1 )and (x2 , y2 ) are rational points
then (x3 , y3 ) will be also. This is true because λ, the slope between these
points, must be a rational number. Therefore, this leads to x3 , and y3
being rational numbers as well by the equations that were proved above:
10 The Pentagon

x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2 , and y3 = λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 .
Addition Examples
The following examples demonstrate the previously mentioned formulas.
1. Adding Two Different Points: Given the elliptic curve:
y 2 = x3 − 2x + 8
with points P = (−2, 2) and Q = (−1, 3) on that curve, find P ⊕ Q.
Step 1: Find the slope of the line through points P and Q. The slope
of the line is:
3−2
λ= = 1.
−1 − (−2)

Step 2: Find point P ⊕ Q =

(x3 , y3 ). We know from above that
x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2 . So, using
λ = 1, we get:
x3 = 12 − (−2) − (−1) = 4.
Then y3 = λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 . So,
using λ = 1 and x3 = 4, we get:
y1 = 1(−2 − 4) − 2 = −8.
Therefore, P ⊕ Q = (4, −8). Fig-
ure 6 is a graph of the P ⊕ Q addi-
tion as shown with the geometric
description above. Figure 6

2. Adding a Point to Itself: In this case we count the point P as two

points. Given the curve E : y 2 = x3 − 8x + 4 with point P = (0, 2) on
that curve, and P ⊕ P.
Step 1: Find the slope of the line through P tangent to E . From above
we know that when P = Q :
3x21 + A
λ= .
2y1
By substitution:
3(0)2 + (−8)
λ= = −2.
2(2)
Spring 2019 11

Step 2: Find point P ⊕ P =

(x3 , y3 ) We know
x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2 , and
y3 = λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 . Therefore,
x3 = (−2)2 − 0 − 0 = 4.
Then
y3 = (−2)(0 − 4) − 2 = 6.
Therefore, the point P ⊕ P =
(4, 6). Figure 7 is a graph of the
P ⊕ P addition.
Figure 7

Scalar Multiplication
In our application of cryptography, we will also utilize a technique called
scalar multiplication to make addition easier. In Elliptic Curve Cryptogra-
phy, points like nP are needed, where n is an integer. It is possible to add
P to itself n times, but it is more efficient to use an algorithm called the
double-and-add algorithm. The steps of this algorithm are as follows [2]:
Step 1: Convert n to base 2.
Step 2: Write n as a sum of powers of 2.
Step 3: Double P until the highest power of 2 is reached.
Step 4: Add all 2kP that are multiplied by 1 in the base 2 form of n,
where { k ∈ Z| k > 0} .

Example: Given the elliptic curve E : y 2 = x3 − 8x + 4 that contains

point P = (4, 6), find 18P.
Step 1: Convert 18 to base 2: 18 = (10010)2 .
Step 2: Write 18 as a sum of powers of 2: 18 = 21 + 24 .
Step 3: Double P until 24 P is reached:
P = (4, 6)
2P = 28 82


9 , − 27
87340 22807394
22 P = 15129


, 1860867
4987592101538286604 292458394882215469115564354
23 P = 1967440294396682361


, − 2759639436895539304360899891
12 The Pentagon

and 24 P =

Step 4: Add 21 P + 24 P : 18P =

Points like Q = nP are complicated numbers which is good for cryptog-

raphy because it is hard to guess the original P used and undo the addition.

Elliptic Curves over Finite Fields

In Elliptic Curve Cryptography, the curves that are used are curves over
the finite field, Fp . The solutions, (x, y), are taken mod p, where p is a
very large prime number. Since the solutions are taken mod p, the curve
is reduced to the finite plane. An example of a large prime that is used is
6277101735386680763835789423207666416083908700390324961279
[11]. For curves over the finite field, the equation of the elliptic curve will
still have the same general structure, but it will now be mod p:
y 2 ≡ x3 + Ax + B(modp)
where (x, y) ∈ (Fp )2 , p is a large prime and, A and B satisfy the following:
4A3 + 27B 2 6≡ 0 (modp)
This equation along with the point at infinity is what defines a curve over
the finite field. The following is a graph of the curve
y 2 ≡ x3 − 92x + 67(mod103), with a line to indicate the symmetry.

Figure 8
Spring 2019 13

To find points on the elliptic curve E that is over the finite plane, all possi-
ble values for x, which are 0, 1, . . . , (p − 1), are plugged into the equation.
If that value is a square mod p, then it creates two points on the curve.
The question of how many points are on an elliptic curve is answered by
the following theorem.

Theorem 2 (The Theorem of Hasse) Let E be an elliptic curve over Fp .

Then
√
#E (Fp ) = p + 1 − tp with |tp | 6 2 p
This theorem says that the number of points on an elliptic curve on a finite
plane is equal to #E (Fp ) = p + 1, “up to random fluctuations” [6].
Example: Given the curve E : y 2 ≡ x3 − 2x + 4(mod13), find all
possible points on the curve. We plug in 0, 1, . . . , 12 to the equation and
find that the following are squares mod 13:
(4)2 ≡ (1)3 − 2(1) + 4(mod13) (9)2 ≡ (1)3 − 2(1) + 4(mod13)
(5)2 ≡ (3)3 − 2(3) + 4(mod13) (8)2 ≡ (3)3 − 2(3) + 4(mod13)
(3) ≡ (10) − 2(10) + 4(mod13) (10)2 ≡ (10)3 − 2(10) + 4(mod13)
2 3

and x = 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, are not squares mod 13. The following is
the graph showing the elliptic curve.

Figure 9

As p is increased, the number of points on the finite curve will increase.

So, for the curve E : y 2 ≡ x3 − 107x + 90( mod 54629), the graph will be
as follows:

Figure 10
14 The Pentagon

The line shows that the symmetry is still present.

Adding Points on a Finite Curve
As with the elliptic curve over the field of real numbers, the closure, as-
sociative, commutative, identity and inverse properties hold for the finite
curve as well, that is, the points of the finite curve form an abelian group.
This is because the algebraic version of point addition can be adapted to
mod p calculations [4].
The equations used for adding points on an elliptic curve over the fi-
nite field are the same, but now the coefficients of the line through the two
points, x3 and y3 will be reduced mod p. So, they will be as follows:
1. If P = O, then P ⊕ Q = Q = Q ⊕ P.
2. Let P = (x1 , y1 ) and Q = (x2 , y2 ).
a) If x1 = x2 and y1 = −y2 , then P ⊕ Q = O = Q ⊕ P.
b) Generally, the point P ⊕ Q = (x3 , y3 ), where
x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2 (modp) and
y3 = λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 (modp) and λ is defined by:
y2 − y1

 x − x (modp) f or P 6= Q


2 1
λ= 2+A .
3x
 1 (modp) f or P = Q


2y1
3. P ⊕ Q = Q ⊕ P.

Example of Adding Two Different Points Given the elliptic curve

E : y 2 ≡ x3 − 92x + 67( mod 103), containing the points P = (2, 32) and
Q = (8, 7), find P ⊕ Q.
Step 1: Find the slope of the line passing through points P and Q.
7 − 32
λ= (mod103)
8−2
−25
= (mod103)
6
= 13.
Here 61 means the multiplicative inverse of 6 mod 103, that is, 86.
Step 2: Find P ⊕ Q = (x3 , y3 ). We know x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2 (modp)
and y3 = λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 (modp). So:
x3 = (132 − 2 − 8)(mod103)
= 56.
Spring 2019 15

and
y3 = (13(2 − 56) − 32)(mod103)
= −734(mod103)
= 90.
Therefore, the point P ⊕ Q = (56, 90). The following is a graph of the
P ⊕ Q addition where the dotted line is found by considering the Cartesian
line of slope 13 through P and then identifying points (x, 0) with (x, 103).
Likewise, points (0, y) and (103, y) are identified.

Figure 11

Example of Adding a Point to Itself Given the curve

E : y 2 ≡ x3 − 5x + 7(mod11)
containing the point P = (1, 6), find P ⊕ P . Analogous to the process
of adding a point to itself for the curve over the field of real numbers, we
count P as two points.
Step1: Find the slope of the line tangent to the curve E . From above we
know:
3x21 + A
λ= (modp)
2y1
3(1)2 + (−5)
= (mod11)
2(6)
1
= − (mod11)
6
= 9.
Step 2: Find P ⊕ P = (x3 , y3 ). We know x3 = λ2 − x1 − x2 (modp)
16 The Pentagon

and y3 = λ(x1 − x3 ) − y1 (modp). So:

x3 = (92 − 1 − 1)(mod11)
= 79(mod11)
= 2,
and
y3 = (9(1 − 2) − 6)(mod11)
= −15(mod11)
= 7.
Therefore, the point P ⊕P = (2, 7). The following is a graph of the P ⊕P
addition.

Figure 12

Encryption
To encrypt a message, either DES or AES is used, which are both a form
of symmetric encryption. Symmetric encryption needs one secret key in
order to decrypt and encrypt a message [5]. So, this key needs to get from
Alice to Bob, in the presence of an eavesdropper, Eve, without having to
hand deliver it. This is accomplished using a Diffie-Hellman key exchange.
To begin, Alice and Bob both agree on an elliptic curve, a point on that
curve, and a finite field they wish to use to obtain the secret key. Then,
Alice chooses a secret integer, a, and computes A = aP . Bob does the
same, he chooses a secret integer, b, and computes B = bP . Then, they
exchange A and B . Alice then computes aB = abP and Bob computes
bA = baP. Since the elliptic curve is an abelian group and has the com-
mutative property, abP = baP. Therefore, they both end up with the same
point. The x-coordinate of that point will be the secret key [12]. See Fig-
ure 13 below.
The security of Elliptic Curve Cryptography is determined by the curve,
Spring 2019 17

and the finite field that is used. There are some curves that cannot be used
because they are easily cracked [3]. In order for Eve to be able to find the
secret key, she would have to find abP with what she is given; the ellip-
tic curve, the finite field, the point P, A and B. This is called the Elliptic
Curve Discrete Logarithmic Problem (ECDLP) [12]. If p is small, then it is
a lot easier to determine the point abP, but as p grows it becomes increas-
ingly more difficult. According to Hoffstein, “the
p fastest known algorithm
to solve ECDLP in E(Fp )takes approximately (p) steps.” [6]
Applications
Elliptic Curve Cryptography is used in many things. One use of it is in
the secure exchange of bitcoins. Bitcoins are “owned” by people if they
can give it to someone else. They must be able to show this exchange by
having a record of it created on a ledger which is called the block chain
[8]. According to Rykwalder, in order to have this ability, the person must
have a private and public key. Another example of where this type of cryp-
tography is used is in Microsoft’s digital rights management. An example
is shown below of how large the numbers used in this type of cryptography
can be [7]:
p (prime number)
= 785963102379428822376694789446897396207498568951
A = 317689081251325503476317476413827693272746955927
B = 79052896607878758718120572025718535432100651934
P (point)
= (771507216262649826170648268565579889907769254176,
390157510246556628525279459266514995562533196655)
This example also shows how difficult it would be for Eve to discover what
the secret key is. Above, Hoffstein noted that the fastest Eve would be able
√
to figure out the secret key is in about p steps. That would mean, in this
case, it would be about 8.865 × 1023 steps. This means, on a computer
that can do 2.8 billion operations per second, which is a normal computer,
it would take 100400 centuries to figure out the secret key.
18 The Pentagon

Example of Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange

In Front of Eve
Alice and Bob agree on the elliptic curve
E : y 2 ≡ x3 − 5x + 12 and a finite field
p = 859
that contains point
P = (85, 246)

In Private
Alice chooses a number a = 592
and computes A = 592P.
So A = (116, 655).

Bob chooses a number b = 341

and computes B = 341P.
So, B = (161, 419).

In Front of Eve
Alice sends A to Bob.
Bob sends B to Alice.

In Private
Alice computes aB = (680, 256)
Bob computes bA = (680, 256).
Then they both have the point abP = (680, 256) and the secret key 680
and can use this key to securely encrypt and decrypt all of their messages.

Figure 13
Spring 2019 19

References

[1] Ash, Avner, and Robert Gross. Elliptic Tales: Curves, Counting, and
Number Theory. Princeton University Press, 2014.
[2] Corbellini, Andrea. Elliptic Curve Cryptography: a Gentle Introduc-
tion. Andrea Corbellini Atom, 17 May 2015,
andrea.corbellini.name/2015/05/17/elliptic-curve-cryptographya-gentle-
introduction/.
[3] Corbellini, Andrea. Elliptic Curve Cryptography: ECDH and ECDSA.
Andrea Corbellini Atom, 30 May 2015,
andrea.corbellini.name/2015/05/30/elliptic-curve- cryptographyecdh-
and-ecdsa/.
[4] Corbellini, Andrea. Elliptic Curve Cryptography: Finite Fields and
Discrete Logarithms.” Andrea Corbellini Atom, 23 May 2015,
andrea.corbellini.name/2015/05/23/ellipticcurve-cryptography-finite-
fields-and-discrete-logarithms/.
[5] Description of Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption.
Support.microsoft.com, Microsoft, 2017,
support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/246071/description-of- symmetric-
andasymmetric-encryption.
[6] Hoffstein, Jeffrey, et al. An Introduction to Mathematical Cryptogra-
phy. Springer, 2008.
[7] Pierce, Robert. Elliptic Curve Diffie Hellman. YouTube, 10 Dec. 2014,
www.youtube.com/ watch?v=F3zzNa42-tQ&t=4s.
[8] Rykwalder, Eric. The Math Behind Bitcoin. CoinDesk, CoinDesk, 19
Oct. 2014, www.coindesk.com/math-behind-bitcoin/.
[9] Silverman, Joseph H., and John Torrence Tate. Rational Points on
Elliptic Curves. 2nd ed., Springer, 2015.
[10] Silverman, Joseph H., and John T. Tate. Rational Points on Elliptic
Curves. Springer, 2015.
[11] United States, Congress, Digital Signature Standard (DSS). Digital
Signature Standard (DSS), 2013, pp. 1121.
nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/FIPS/NIST.FIPS.186-4.pdf.
[12] Washington, Lawrence C. Elliptic Curves: Number Theory and Cryp-
tography. CRC Press, 2003.
20 The Pentagon

Expressing Natural Numbers Using Ones

Maria Aiello, student

Lottie Page, student
Faith Pudlo, student

New Hampshire Alpha

Keene State College

Keene, NH, 03435

Abstract
We consider the configuration of n ones and any number of additions and
multiplications that will result in the largest value.

Introduction
Problem F26 in [1] asks the following question: For a given natural num-
ber n, what is the smallest number f (n) of ones that can be used to rep-
resent n using ones and any number of + and × signs and parentheses. It
can be shown that
80 = (1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1) × (1 + 1 + 1 + 1) × (1 + 1 + 1 + 1)
requires the fewest number of ones and so f (80) = 13. Some work on this
problem appeared in [2].
In this note, we ask a related question: Given n ones, what configuration
will give the largest value?
The Solution
We begin by simplifying the notation. If n = 8 one possible configuration
would be
(1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1) × (1 + 1 + 1)
which we shall represent by π 8 (5, 3) = 5 · 3 = 15. In general
π n (a1 , a2 , . . . , ak ) = a1 · a2 · · · ak represents
(1 + 1 + · · · + 1) × (1 + 1 + · · · + 1) × · · · × (1 + 1 + · · · + 1)
| {z } | {z } | {z }
a1 ones a2 ones ak ones
where n = a1 + a2 + · · · + ak . Let Pn be the maximum value of
π n (a1 , a2 , . . . , ak ) .
Spring 2019 21

Proposition 1 The following gives values for Pn where n 6 5.

n Pn π n (a1 , a2 , . . . , ak )
1 1 π 1 (1)
2 2 π 2 (2)
3 3 π 3 (3)
4 4 π 4 (2, 2)
5 6 π 5 (3, 2)
Note that π 4 (4) = π 4 (2, 2). In the results that follow (1+1+1+1) will
be written as (1 + 1) × (1 + 1). Also note that n = 5 is the first value where
Pn > π n (n). The next proposition shows how certain initial configurations
can be realigned to form a configuration with a larger product.

Proposition 2 Let n be a natural number.

(a) For natural numbers m ≥ 5,
π n (m, a2 , . . . , ak ) < π n (3, m − 3, a2 , . . . , ak );
(b) π n (1, a2 , . . . , ak−1 , ak ) < π n (a2 , . . . , ak−1 , (ak + 1));
(c) π n (2, 2, 2, a4 , . . . , ak ) < π n (3, 3, a4 , . . . , ak ).

Proof. (a) Assume m ∈ N and m ≥ 5. Then

9
<m
2
⇒ 9 < 2m
⇒ m < 3m − 9
⇒ m < 3(m − 3).
(b) Since ai > 0, then
π n (1, a2 , . . . , ak−1 , ak ) = a2 a3 · · · ak−1 ak
< a2 a3 · · · ak−1 ak + a2 a3 · · · ak−1
= a2 a3 · · · ak−1 (ak + 1)
= π n (a2 , . . . , ak−1 , (ak + 1)).
(c) We have
π n (2, 2, 2, a4 , . . . , ak ) = 8a4 · · · ak−1 ak
< 9a4 · · · ak−1 ak
= π n (3, 3, a4 , . . . , ak ).

The results in Proposition 2 show that Pn must arise from a configura-

tion of sums where each summand contains at least two ones (by part (b))
22 The Pentagon

and no more than four ones (by part (a)). Also, note that since we always
choose to write (1 + 1 + 1 + 1) as (1 + 1) × (1 + 1) we can say that
each summand contains either two or three ones. In addition, by part (c),
Pn arises from a configuration where at most two summands contain two
ones. That, together with the fact that replacing any × with a + will result
in a smaller value of π n , gives the classification in Theorem 1.

Theorem 3 Let n be the number of ones and 1 < k. We have three cases:
(a) n = 3k Pn = 3k = π n (3, 3, . . . , 3);
| {z }
k threes
(b) n = 3k + 1 Pn = 3k−1 · 22 = π n (3, 3, . . . , 3, 2, 2);
| {z }
k−1 threes
(c) n = 3k + 2 Pn = 3k−1 · 2 = π n (3, 3, . . . , 3, 2).
| {z }
k threes

Proof. The results for (a) and (c) follow directly from Proposition 2. For
(b), as n is one greater than a multiple of three, we can arrange 3k + 1
ones as k summands, each of the form 1 + 1 + 1, plus a final 1 left over.
That one is added to a summand containing three ones giving a summand
containing four ones, which is then split into the product of two summands
each containing two ones and the result follows.

Note: Keene State College hosts a STEM Day for 5th Graders in May
and this question was given as an exploration. Through trial and error,
many groups were eventually able to describe in rough terms the general
results.

References

[1] Guy, R., Unsolved Problems in Number Theory, Springer-Verlag.

[2] Rawsthorne, D, How many 1’s are needed? Fibonacci Quarterly, 27,
1989, p. 14-17.
Spring 2019 23

The Problem Corner

Edited by Pat Costello
The Problem Corner invites questions of interest to undergraduate stu-
dents. As a rule, the solution should not demand any tools beyond calcu-
lus and linear algebra. Although new problems are preferred, old ones of
particular interest or charm are welcome, provided the source is given. So-
lutions should accompany problems submitted for publication. Solutions
of the following new problems should be submitted on separate sheets be-
fore March 15, 2020. Solutions received after this will be considered up
to the time when copy is prepared for publication. The solutions received
will be published in the Spring 2020 issue of The Pentagon. Preference
will be given to correct student solutions. Affirmation of student status
and school should be included with solutions. New problems and solu-
tions to problems in this issue should be sent to Pat Costello, Department
of Mathematics and Statistics, Eastern Kentucky University, 521 Lancaster
Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475-3102 (e-mail: [email protected], fax:
(859) 622-3051)

NEW PROBLEMS 840 - 848

Problem 840. Proposed by the editor.
Consider the sequence a0 = 1, a1 = 1, an = 2an−1 + an−2 which is
1,1,3,7,17,41,99, . . . .
a) Prove that no term in the sequence ends in 5.
[If you get this, send it.]
b) Prove that if p is prime, then ap ≡ 1 (mod p).

Problem 841. Proposed by José Luis Díaz-Barrero, School of Civil

Engineering, Barcelona Tech - UPC, Barcelona, Spain.
Let a, b, c be the roots of the equation x3 − x2 − 2x − 3 = 0. Find the
value of a5 + b5 + c5 .

Problem 842. Proposed by José Luis Díaz-Barrero, School of Civil

Engineering, Barcelona Tech - UPC, Barcelona, Spain.
Find all functions f : R → R such that
f (x)f (y) f (x + y)
4−(x+y) ≤ 4 ≤
4
(x + 1)(y + 1) (x + y)4 + 1
for all x, y ∈ R.
24 The Pentagon

Problem 843. Proposed by Daniel Sitaru, “Theodor Costescu” National

Economic College, Drobeta Turnu – Severin, Mehedinti, Romania.
Prove that in M ABC you have
q
(2ha + 2hb + 2hc )(2ma + 2mb + 2mc ) < 2a + 3b + 4c .

Problem 844. Proposed by Daniel Sitaru, “Theodor Costescu” National

Economic College, Drobeta Turnu – Severin, Mehedinti, Romania.
Prove that if 0 < a < b < c < 1, then
 
 1 1 1 

2  a b c  >
 a ln a b ln b c ln c 
 

 1 1 1 

 a b c .
 (a − 1) ln(a2 + 1) (b − 1) ln(b2 + 1) (c − 1) ln(c2 + 1)
 


Problem 845. Proposed by Daniel Sitaru, “Theodor Costescu” National

Economic College, Drobeta Turnu – Severin, Mehedinti, Romania.
If a, b, c ∈ [0, 1), then
sin−1 x · sin−1 y · sin−1 z
Z a Z b Z c  
8 −1 −1 −1 dz dy dx
0 0 0 (1 + sin x)(1 + sin )(1 + sin z)
≤ a2 b2 c2 .

Problem 846. Proposed by Pedro H.O. Pantoja, Natal/RN, Brazil.

R π/4
Evaluate 0 cos2 (x) · ln(1 + cos(4x))dx.

Problem 847. Proposed by D.M. Bǎtinetu-Giurgiu, “Matei Basarab”

National College, Bucharest, Romania and Neculai Stanciu, “George
Emil Palade” School, Buzǎu, Romania.
Let (xn ), (yn ) be positive sequences of real numbers such that
 xn
xn yn+1
lim = x and lim (yn+1 − yn ) = y. Evaluate lim .
n→∞ n n→∞ n→∞ yn
Spring 2019 25

Problem 848. Proposed by D.M. Bǎtinetu-Giurgiu, “Matei Basarab”

National College, Bucharest, Romania and Neculai Stanciu, “George
Emil Palade” School, Buzǎu, Romania.
If m ∈ (1, ∞), n an integer greater than 1, ak positive reals and
n
P
ak = a, then
k=1
n 
1 1/m 2 1/m 1+ 1
  
X ak
+ ≥ √ n 2m ,
ak+1 ak a
k=1
where an+1 = a1 .

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS 820 - 828

Problem 820. Proposed by the editor
Find a 4-digit positive integer N = abcd which is divisible by 11 and
N/11 = b2 + c2 + d2 .

Solution by the Missouri State University Problem Solving Group, Spring-

field, MO.
Since 10 ≡ −1(mod11), a number N = 103 a + 102 b + 10c + d is
divisible by 11 if and only if −a + b − c + d = 0(mod11). Since
b2 + c2 + d2 ≤ 92 + 92 + 92 = 243, we have
N = 11(b2 + c2 + d2 ) ≤ 11(243) = 2673.
Therefore, a = 1 or a = 2.
Suppose that a = 2. Then bcd ≤ 673. Hence 0 ≤ b ≤ 6. But then
N = 11(b2 + c2 + d2 ) ≤ 11(62 + 92 + 92 ) = 2178.
This shows 0 ≤ b ≤ 1. But then
N = 11(b2 + c2 + d2 ) ≤ 11(12 + 92 + 92 ) = 1793,
a contradiction to a = 2. We have shown a = 1, and now we will try to
find b.
Suppose b = 0. Then −1 + 0 − c + d ≡ 0(mod11) by the divisibility
condition. But since c and d are digits, we have d = c + 1. From
N = 11(b2 + c2 + d2 ),
we have 103 + 10c + (c + 1) = 11(02 + c2 + (c + 1)2 ) which simplifies
to 22c2 + 11c − 990 = 0. This quadratic equation has no integer solutions.
26 The Pentagon

So b = 0 is not a possibility.
Suppose b = 1. We would have d = c. Then
103 + 102 + 10c + c = 11(12 + c2 + c2 )
which simplifies to 22c2 + 11c − 1089 = 0. This quadratic has no integer
solutions. So b = 1 is not a possibility.
Suppose b = 2. We would have d = c − 1. Then
103 + 2 · 102 + 10c + (c − 1) = 11(22 + c2 + (c − 1)2 )
which simplifies to 11(2c2 − 3c − 104) = 0 and this has integer solution
c = 8 which makes d = 7. The number N = 1287 is the only solution.
Also solved by Brad Meyer (student), Missouri State University, Spring-
field, MO; John Zerger, Catawba College, Salisbury, NC; Ioannis Sfikas,
Athens, Greece; Carl Libis, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach,
AL; Abhijit Bhattacharjee (student), Banaras Hindu University, India; Cal
Poly Pomona Problem Solving Group, Pomona, CA; Jeremiah Bartz, Uni-
versity of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND; and the proposer.

Problem 821. Proposed by Daniel Sitaru, “Theodor Costescu” National

Economic College, Drobeta Turnu – Severin, Mehedinti, Romania.
2
a|b(1 − b2 )| ≤ a(1 + b2 ) .
P P
Prove that if a, b, c ∈ R then 4
cyclic cyclic

Solution by Nicusor Zlota, “Traian Vuia” Technical College, Focsani, Ro-

mania.
We have
q
4a b(1 − b2 ) ≤ a(1 + b2 )2 ⇔ 4a (b(1 − b2 ))2 ≤ a(1 + b2 )2
 

⇔ 16a2 b2 (1 − b2 )2 ≤ a2 (1 + b2 )4
⇔ a2 (b8 − 12b6 + 38b4 − 12b2 + 1) ≥ 0
⇔ a2 (b2 + 2b − 1)2 (b2 − 2b − 1)2 ≥ 0.

The last inequality is true so the first is true and then summing, we get the
desired result.
Also solved by Almas Bebirov, Baku State University, Lerik, Azerbaijan;
Ioannis Sfikas, Athens, Greece; and the proposer.
Spring 2019 27

Problem 822. Proposed by Daniel Sitaru, “Theodor Costescu” National

Economic College, Drobeta Turnu – Severin, Mehedinti, Romania.
Prove that in any acute-angled ∆ABC you have
r
X
3
X tan6 A + tan6 B
2 tan A ≥ + 3(tan A + tan B + tan C).
2
cyclic cyclic

Solution by the proposer.

q
2 2
√
Lemma. If a, b ∈ (0, 1) then a + b ≥ a +b2 + ab.
( q  2
a + b2 = 2x2
2 2
x = a +b
Proof. Denote √2 ⇒ Then
y = ab ab = y 2

a+b≥x+y
⇔ (a + b)2 ≥ (x + y)2
⇔ 2x2 + 2y 2 ≥ (x + y)2
⇔ 2x2 + 2y 2 ≥ x2 + 2xy + y 2
⇔ x2 − 2xy + y 2 ≥ 0
⇔ (x − y)2 ≥ 0,

which is true. Now replace a and b in the Lemma with

a = tan3 A; b = tan3 B and get
tan6 A + tan6 B √ 3
r
3 3
tan A + tan B ≥ + tan Atan3 B
2

so that
X
tan3 A + tan3 B ≥
r
X tan6 A + tan6 B
X 2 √
+ tan A tan B tan A tan B
28 The Pentagon

and by the AM-GM

√
r
X X tan6 A + tan6 B 3
2 tan3 A ≥ + 3 tan3 Atan3 Btan3 C
r 2
X tan6 A + tan6 B
= + 3(tan A + tan B + tan C).
2

Also solved by Ioannis Sfikas, Athens, Greece; Nicusor Zlota, “Rraian

Vuia” Technical College, Focsani, Romania; Soumava Chakraborty, Soft-
Web Technologies, Kolkata, India; and Tran Hong-Dong Thap (student),
Vietnam.

Problem 823. Proposed by Pedro H.O. Pantoja, University of Campina

Grande, Brazil.
Let x, y, z be positive real numbers. Prove that
1 3x 3y 3z x3 y + y 3 z + z 3 x
≤ + + ≤ .
xy + yz + zx (y + 2z)3 (z + 2x)3 (x + 2y)3 (3xyz)2

Solution by Ioannis Sfikas, Athens, Greece.

p
Since y + 2z = y + z + z ≥ 3 3 yz 2 we have (y + 2z)3 ≥ 27yz 2 . This
means that
1 1 3x x
3 ≤ 27yz 2 ⇒ 3 ≤ 9yz 2 .
(y + 2z) (y + 2z)
So we have
3x 3y 3z x y z
3 + 3 + 3 ≤ 9yz 2 + 9zx2 + 9xy 2
(y + 2z) (z + 2x) (x + 2y)
x3 y + y 3 z + z 3 x
= .
(3xyz)2
Spring 2019 29

Furthermore, we have
 
x2 y2 z2
3x 3y 3z (y+2z)3
(z+2x)3 (x+2y)3
3 + 3 + = 3 + + 
(y + 2z) (z + 2x) (x + 2y)3 x2 y2 z2
 3
x y z
3 (y+2z) +
(z+2x) + x+2y
≥
3(x2 + y 2 + z 2 )
h i3
(x+y+z)2
3(xy+xz+zx)
≥
(x2 + y 2 + z 2 )
1
≥ .
xy + xz + zx

Also solved by Almas Bebirov, Baku State University, Lerik, Azerbaijan;

Titu Zvonaru, Comanesti, Romania; Sanong Huayrerai, Nakon Pathom,
Thailand; Tran Hong-Dong Thap (student), Vietnam; Nicusor Zlota, “Tra-
ian Vuia” Technical College, Focsani, Romania; and the proposer.

Problem 824. Proposed by Pedro H.O. Pantoja, University of Campina

Grande, Brazil.
Find all positive integers a, b, c where a and b are prime numbers with
a 6≡ 0 (mod c) such that 51a + 7ab + bc2 = abc2 .

Solution by Brian Beasley, Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC.

Since b is prime and b divides 51a, either b divides 51 or b divides a.
Since a is also prime, we have either b = a, b = 3, or b = 17.
2
If b = a, then 51 + 7a + c2 = ac2 , so a = (51+c )
(c2 −7) . Since a is positive,
c > 2. Since a ≥ 2, we also have 51 + c2 ≥ 2(c2 − 7) and thus c < 9.
For c ∈ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, only c = 6 produces a prime number for a, namely
a = 3. Hence this case yields (a, b, c) = (3, 3, 6).
2
If b = 3, then 72a+3c2 = 3ac2 , so a = (c2 c−24) . This yields 4 < c < 7,
but only c = 6 produces a prime number for a. Once again, we conclude
(a, b, c) = (3, 3, 6).
2
If b = 17, then 170a + 17c2 = 17ac2 , so a = (c2 c−10) . This yields
3 < c < 5, but c = 4 does not produce an integral value for a.
Therefore the unique solution is (a, b, c) = (3, 3, 6).
30 The Pentagon

Also solved by Ioannis Sfikas, Athens, Greece; Cal Poly Pomona Problem
Solving Group, Pomona, CA; John Zerger, Catawba College, Salisbury,
NC; and the proposer.

Problem 825. Proposed by Ovidiu Furdui and Alina Sintamarian,

Technical University of Cluj–Napoca, Cluj–Napoca, Romania.
Let k ≥ 0 be an integer. Calculate
∞   
X 1 1 1
+ + ... − .
n2 (n + 1)2 n+k
n=1

Solution by Cal Poly Pomona Problem Solving Group, Pomona, CA.

Consider the partial sum
j   
X 1 1 1
Sj = + + ... −
n2 (n + 1)2 n+k
n=1
 
1 1 1 1
= 1 + 2 · + 3 · + ... + j · 2 + j + ...
4 9 j (j + 1)2
 
1 1
− − ... − .
1+k j+k

If j > k , then we have

     
1 1 1 1 1
Sj = 1 + + ... + − + ... + +j + ... .
2 k j+1 j+k (j + 1)2
 
1 1
Since j+1 + ... + j+k is a finite sum, the limit as j goes to infinity is 0.
 
1 1
and it is known that lim j (j+1) 2 + (j+2)2
+ ... = 1. Thus
j→∞
lim Sj = 1 + 12 + ... + k1 − 0 + 1


j→∞
When k = 0, the first parenthesis is empty so
the sum is 1.
When k > 0, the sum is 1 + 1 + 12 + ... + k1 .
Also solved by Ioannis Sfikas, Athens, Greece; and the proposers.

Problem 826. Proposed by D.M. Batinetu–Giurgiu, “Matei Basarab”

National College, Bucharest, Romania and Neculai Stanciu, “George
Emil Palade” School, Buzau, Romania.
Let Fn and Ln be the nth Fibonacci and Lucas numbers defined by
Spring 2019 31

F1 = F2 = 1 and Fn = Fn+1 + Fn+2 for n ≥ 3 and by L1 = 1, L2 = 3

and Ln = Ln+1 + Ln+2 for n ≥ 3. Let k be a positive integer and
Fk2 Fk+1 2
  
Lk+1 Lk
F (k) = 2 .
Fk+1 Fk2 Lk Lk+1
n
 
Q 1 1
Evaluate F (k) as a multiple of the matrix .
k=1 1 1

Solution by the proposers.

We have
  
1 1 L2 L1
F (1) = = (L1 + L2 ) · E = L3 · E
1 1 L1 L2
 
1 1
where E = . Also
1 1
Fk2 Fk+1
2
   
1 1 Lk+1 Lk
E · F (k) =
1 1 Fk+1 Fk2
2 Lk Lk+1
= (Fk2 + Fk+1
2
)(Lk + Lk+1 ) · E
= F2k+1 Lk+2 E.

when we use the known identity Fk2 + Fk+1

2 = F2k+1 . Therefore
n
Y n
Y
F (k) = F (1) F (k)
k=1 k=2
= L3 · (E · F (2)) · F (3)... · F (n)
= L3 · F5 · L3 · (E · F (3)) · F (4) · ... · F (n)
... = L3 · F5 · L3 · F7 · L5 · F9 · L7 ...(E · F (n − 1)) · F (n)
= L3 · F5 · L3 · F7 · L5 · F9 · L7 ...Ln+1 · F2n−1 · E · F (n)
= L3 · F5 · L3 · F7 · L5 · F9 ...Ln+1 · F2n−1 · Ln+2 · F2n+1 · E
n+2
Y n
Y
= L3 · Lk · F2k+1 · E.
k=3 k=2

Also solved by Ioannis Sfikas, Athens, Greece.

32 The Pentagon

Problem 827. Proposed by D.M. Batinetu–Giurgiu, “Matei Basarab”

National College, Bucharest, Romania and Neculai Stanciu, “George
Emil Palade” School, Buzau, Romania.
Let (an ) be a sequence of positive real numbers such that
lim an!n = a > 0. Find
n→∞
!
(n + 1)2 n2
lim √
n+1 a
− √ .
n→∞ n+1
n
an

Solution by Marian Ursǎrescu, Roman Vodǎ College, Roman City, Roma-

nia

(n + 1)2 n2
L = lim √ − √
n→∞ n+1
an + 1 n
an
(n+1)2 n2
ln √ ln √
= lim e n+1 an +1 −e n an
n→∞
n2
 
n2 (n+1)2
ln √ ln √
= lim e n an
e n+1 an +1 − ln √ −1
n→∞ n
an
 √ 
n (n+1)2 n a
ln √ · n2n
= lim √ ·n e n+1 an +1 −1 . (1)
n→∞ n an

Now
r
n n
nn
lim √ = lim
n→∞ n an n→∞ an
(n + 1)n+1 an
= lim · n
n→∞ an+1 n
(n + 1)! an n! (n + 1)n+1
= lim · · ·
n→∞ an+1 n! (n + 1)! nn
 n
1 n+1
= lim · a · = e.
n→∞ a n

√ √
(n+1)2 n an n+1 n
an n+1
Let xn = √
n+1 a · n2 and note lim √
n+1 a · n · n = e· 1e ·1 = 1.
n+1 n→∞ n+1
Spring 2019 33

Thus
(eln xn − 1)
lim n(eln xn − 1) = lim n · ln xn
n→∞ n→∞ ln xn
= lim n ln xn = lim ln xnn
n→∞ n→∞
" #
1 2n an √

= lim ln 1 + · · n an+1
n→∞ n an+1
 
an (n + 1)! n! √
= lim ln e2 · · · · n an+1
n→∞ n! an+1 (n + 1)!
 
1 1
= lim ln e2 · a · · = ln e = 1. (2)
n→∞ a e

From (1) and (2) we get L = e.

Also solved by Ioannis Sfikas, Athens, Greece; Shafiqur Rahman, Bangladesh;
Remus Florin Stanca, Ramnicu, Valcea City, Romania; and the proposers.

Problem 828. Proposed by D.M. Batinetu–Giurgiu, “Matei Basarab”

National College, Bucharest, Romania and Neculai Stanciu, “George
Emil Palade” School, Buzau, Romania.
Determine all injective functions f : R → R with f (0) 6= 1/b and
f (f (x)y 3 ) + ax9 y 9 = bf (x3 )f (y 3 )
for all x, y ∈ R, where a > 0, b > 0.

Solution by Cal Poly Pomona Problem Solving Group, Pomona, CA.

Let x, y = 0 and then f (0) = bf (0) or f (0) (1 − bf (0)) = 0. Since
f (0) 6= 1b , we must have f (0) = 0. Since the equality holds for all reals,
we have

f f (x)y 3 + ax9 y 9 = bf (x3 )f (y 3 )

and

f f (y)x3 + ax9 y 9 = bf (x3 )f (y 3 ).

So
f (f (x)y 3 ) + ax9 y 9 = f (f (y)x3 ) + ax9 y 9 .
Then f (f (x)y 3 ) = f (f (y)x3 ). Since f is injective, f (x)y 3 = f (y)x3 .
Let y = 1. Then f (x) = cx3 where where c = f (1). Substituting into the
original equality yields c4 x9 y 9 +ax9 y 9 = bc2 x9 y 9 or c4 −bc2 +a = 0. The
34 The Pentagon
√
quadratic formula gives us c2 = b± b2 −4a . Because f is a real function,
2

2 2
there are no solutions if a > b4 . If a = b4 , there are 2 solutions. Finally,
2
suppose a < b4 . Since both a and b are positive, b2 > b2 − 4a and by
√
taking square roots b > b2 − 4a and there are 4 solutions.
Also solved by Remus Florin Stanca, Ramnicu Valcea City, Romania; Ioan-
nis Sfikas, Athens, Greece; and the proposers.
Spring 2019 35

Kappa Mu Epsilon News

Edited by Cynthia Huffman, Historian
Updated information as of June 2019

News of chapter activities and other noteworthy KME events should be

sent to
Cynthia Huffman, KME Historian
Pittsburg State University
Mathematics Department
117 1701 S. Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
or to
[email protected]

KAPPA MU EPSILON
Installation Report
Kentucky Gamma, Bellarmine University
Louisville, Kentucky
The Kentucky Gamma Chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon was installed at 5:00
p.m. on April 23, 2019 at a ceremony held on the campus of Bellarmine
University in Louisville, Kentucky. The meeting was conducted by current
KME member, Dr. Anne Raymond. KME national president, Dr. Brian
Hollenbeck, served as the installing officer.

Six students and four faculty members were initiated as the charter mem-
bers of the Kentucky Gamma Chapter. The four faculty are Assistant
Professor of Mathematics Dr. Jen Miller, Associate Professors of Math-
ematics, Dr. Susan White and Dr. Daylene Zielinski, and Professor of
Mathematics, Dr. Mike Ackerman. The six students are Megan Alexan-
der, Jamey VanDyke, Philip Golden, Emily Barrett, Alyssa Wyman, and
Andrea Howard. The first officers of the chapter were installed: Megan
Alexander, President; Jamey VanDyke, Vice President; Philip Golden,
Secretary; Emily Barrett, Treasurer; Jen Miller, Corresponding Secretary;
and Anne Raymond, faculty sponsor.

Following the installation ceremony, Dr. Hollenbeck presented a talk ti-

tled, When the “Best” Strategy Fails, during which attendees played and
analyzed the dice game, Kyboi. The event concluded with some refresh-
ments.
36 The Pentagon

Kentucky Gamma

Chapter News

AL Gamma – University of Montevello

Chapter President – Gray Lackey; 17 Current Members; 10 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Darius Burns, Vice President; Faith Kendrick,
Secretary; Dr. Scott Varagona, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Spon-
sor.
AL Zeta – Birmingham-Southern College
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Allie Ray; 5 New Members
New Initiates – Mac DeLay, Annie Dial, Conde Ireland, Dr. Allie Ray, and Christopher
Sucic
AL Eta – The University of West Alabama
Chapter President – Kaitlyn Strachan; 14 Current Members; 4 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Samantha Day, Vice President; Dr. Jay Smith,
Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
The Alabama Eta chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon initiated 4 new members
the spring semester of 2019.
AL Theta – Jacksonville State University
Chapter President – Marcus Shell; 50 Current Members; 18 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Benjamin Junkins, Vice President; Sabin Ban-
jara, Secretary; Leeanne Powell, Treasurer; and Dr. David Dempsey, Cor-
Spring 2019 37

responding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.

The Alabama Theta chapter met biweekly this semester, having periodic
pizza/game nights, as well as other events, including a bowling outing and
a talk by a professional actuary. On March 1, 2019, the Alabama Theta
chapter initiated 18 new members (17 students and 1 new faculty mem-
ber). New members received their certificates, pins, and honor cords in a
ceremony held in room 355 Ayers Hall. In April, five student members at-
tended the KME National Convention. Four students gave presentations:
Benjamin Junkins, Marcus Shell, Joel Branham, and Holly Sparkman; we
are proud of Ben Junkins for winning one of the top paper awards! (Also,
Leeanne Powell assisted KME Treasurer David Dempsey by writing 40+
convention checks!) At our last meeting in April, new officers were elected
for the 2019-2020 academic year. We are looking forward to another great
year and a regional convention.
New Initiates – Adam Wesley Alcorn, Sabin Banjara, George Philips Beason III, Victo-
ria Anne Beck, Chloe Gabrielle Borders, Travis Norris Cotney, Hannah Catherine Davis,
Hali Michelle Dickeson, Michael Green, Kirstin Nicole Honeycutt, Terri Abigail Kennedy,
Austin David McDaniel, Lauren Lynn Padgett, Tyler William Pressnell, Kazi A. Rahman,
Katelynn Nicole Shadoan, Riley Kathleen Sitton, and Rebecca Ulrich.
CA Epsilon – California Baptist University
Corresponding Secretary – James Buchholz; 20 New Members
New Initiates – Anthony Anderson, Jacob Barraza, Ryan Berardelli, Hannah Bernal, Re-
bekah Bernal, Shannon Bivens, Matthew Gillis, Jared Gilster, Emmanuel Gutierrez, Sandy
Huerta-Cruz, Noah Jackowitz, Caitlyn James, Rachel Koch, Angela Ku, Noah Lay, Kayley
Maynard, Brandy Moore, Jennifer Ramirez, Sara Stites, and Seth Truitt.
CT Beta – Eastern Connecticut State University
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Mehdi Khorami; 475 Current Members;
14 New Members
New Initiates – Kathryn Barrett, Shelby Bellamy, Arianna Biales, Nicholas Corentin, An-
thony Coss, Zoe Czerenda, Joyce Gao, Stephanie Hogan, Haley Knox, Jeffrey Mathieu,
Katherine ORourke, Rachael Scullion, Rebecca Szruba, and Lauren. Zabilansky
CT Gamma – Central Connecticut State University
Chapter President – Nicholas Sabia; 70 Current Members; 17 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Jonathan Maldonado, Vice President; Alyssa
Mercaldi, Secretary; Sabrina Doolgar, Treasurer; Dr. Leah Frazee, Cor-
responding Secretary; and Dr. Marian Anton, Faculty Sponsor
We held our 2018-2019 Initiation Ceremony and Banquet on April 5, 2019,
elected a new president, elected a new vice president, and the new corre-
sponding secretary was initiated.
New Initiates – Moriah Aronson, Katie Barnicle, Amy Carlson, Leah Frazee, Seth Gagnon,
38 The Pentagon

Miranda Gazaferi, Joshua Glynn, Shannon Guiheen, Robin Kalder, Rebecca Lunt, Jonathan
Maldonado, Geoffrey May, Lydia Murphy, Emily Negron, Nicholas Sabia, Dajana Sejdiraj,
and Brittany Sitler.
FL Gamma – Southeastern University
Chapter President – Shane Coris; 63 Current Members; 3 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Kaitlyn Brett, Vice President; Elizabeth Berna-
towicz, Secretary; and Dr. Berhane Ghaim, Corresponding Secretary and
Faculty Sponsor.
Florida Gamma held its initiation ceremony on April 4, 2019. There were
three new initiates and with this the total membership of the chapter is 63.
GA Beta – Georgia College & State University
Corresponding Secretary – Rodica Cazacu; 7 New Members
New Initiates – Hanwen Chen, Justin Hockey, Emily Howe, Byung Rok Kim, Madison
Link, Courtney McDonald, and Virginia Oliver.
GA Epsilon – Wesleyan College
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Joe Iskra; 4 New Members
New Initiates – Elizabeth F. Bender, Kali Elizabeth Goding, Melissa Jazmine Rey, and
Akshayaa Shrestha.
HI Alpha – Hawaii Pacific University
Chapter President – Petra Keiser; 20 Current Members; 13 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Alexxis De Lamere, Vice President; Tara
Davis, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
We had an initiation dinner in March to initiate the 13 new members.
New Initiates – Gioia R. Aquino, Jeffery H. Bourna, Tara Davis, Jonathan DiVietro, Mhary
Grace C. de Francia, Maxime Gayte, Andrea Langeland, Daniel O. Mendoza Hermosillo,
Alicia Nawatani-Dias, Saskia Rechin, Mina Hany Sokar, Vince Sushima, and Michelle
Tubolino.
IA Alpha – University of Northern Iowa
Chapter President – Isaac Neppel; 25 Current Members; 2 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Jaclyn Miller, Vice President; Christopher
Merck, Secretary; Stephanie Peiffer, Treasurer; and Dr. Mark D. Ecker,
Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
Our first spring KME meeting was held on February 28, 2019 in Wright
Hall, where student member Christopher Merck presented his paper enti-
tled “State Domestic Product: What Actually Influences a State’s GDP’.
Our second meeting was held on April 4, 2019 in Wright Hall, where stu-
dent member Lincoln Fuhs talked about his undergraduate research paper
entitled “A Statistical Analysis of NBA Players: What Role Does Position
Play?”. Student member Hannah Larsen addressed the spring initiation
banquet on April 30, 2019 with her senior seminar project entitled “Fac-
tors that Affect Home Runs in MLB”. Our banquet was held at Godfather’s
Spring 2019 39

Pizza in Cedar Falls, where four new members were initiated.

New Initiates – Rachel Liercke and Staci Schmeling.
IL Zeta – Dominican University
Chapter President – Frankie Greco; 21 Current Members; 2 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Dr. Aliza Steurer, Corresponding Secretary
and Faculty Sponsor.
The Illinois Zeta Chapter at Dominican University was excited to initiate
two new members this spring, Michael Cross and Zayra Solis. Michael
Cross is a mathematics and computer science double major. Zayra Solis
is a mathematics major who is obtaining licensure to teach high school
mathematics. Family and friends of Michael and Zayra, fellow classmates,
and faculty and students from nearby schools took part in the initiation
ceremony on April 11, 2019. We were excited to welcome James Tanton
as the plenary speaker, who gave the talk “How Many Degrees Are in a
Martian Circle?”
New Initiates – Michael Cross and Zayra Solis.
IL Eta – Western Illinois University
Corresponding Secretary – Amy Ekanayake; 1 New Member
New Initiates – Jordan Hughes.
IL Theta – Benedictine University
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Thomas Wangler; 8 New Members
New Initiates – Katelyn Beamish, Stefano Chiaradonna, Fernando Elesterio, Kathryn (Katie)
Farb, Rishabh (Krish) Jakhariya, Mariam Khan, Emma Roberts, and Alaina Thompson.
IN Beta – Butler University
Corresponding Secretary – Chris Wilson; 13 New Members
New Initiates – Richard Clark, Alexandra Gossett, Ryan Heumann, Joseph Hoover, Daniel
Mallerdino, Grace Maynard, Haley Niemann, Tyler Pollard, Isabelle Ramey, Brianna Soren-
son, Lauren Turnbull, Troy Wiegand, and Max Connor Wiley.
KS Alpha – Pittsburg State University
Chapter President – Peyton Burlingame; 20 Current Members; 9 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Rylie Bertels, Vice President; Paul Modlin,
Secretary; James Beyer, Treasurer; Dr. Tim Flood, Corresponding Secre-
tary; and Dr. Scott Van Thuong, Faculty Sponsor.
The Kansas Alpha chapter had an active spring, with many new members
joining our ranks. At our first meeting, we gained experience in prob-
lem solving in preparation for the Kansas Collegiate Math Competition
(in which a team from Pitt State placed 1st, tying with KU!) We con-
cluded the semester by playing the card game SET over pizza and bever-
ages. Drs. Childers and Huffman represented Kansas Alpha at the KME
40 The Pentagon

national meeting this year. We look forward to an active Fall semester as

well!
New Initiates –Cali Byrn, Sarah Case, Andrew Chesney, Tyler Clark, Rylee Dennis, Sloan
Geddry, Skyler Hausback, Morgan Panovich, and Morgan Singletary.
KS Beta – Emporia State University
Chapter President – Katie Beckley; 45 Current Members; 4 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Alec Bergeron, Vice President; Elisabeth
Evans, Secretary; Amber Innes, Treasurer; Tom Mahoney, Correspond-
ing Secretary; and Brian Hollenbeck, Faculty Sponsor.
Our local chapter assisted in the Math Family Game Night at our local
high school, as well as held a bake sale on campus for our math and sci-
ence open house. We had 5 students and one faculty attend the National
Convention in Maryland where 1 student gave a presentation. Our KME
lounge has been extremely popular among all students as a social hangout
and studying lounge. We have also held events such as movie nights and
game nights during the year.
New Initiates – Samuel Ewusi Dadzie, Elisabeth Evans, Amber Innes, and Yuki Yomogita.
KS Delta – Washburn University
Chapter President – Laura Crosswhite; 20 Current Members; 6 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Jacob Talkin, Vice President; Mary Greene,
Secretary; Benjamin Nelson, Treasurer; Kevin Charlwood, Corresponding
Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
The Kansas Delta chapter of KME met once each month over lunch through-
out the spring semester with our math club. We hosted a graduate student
from UNL who spoke on Kruski’s algorithm form graph theory, a statis-
tician from the Kansas Department of Labor, an actuary from BCBS of
Kansas, and one of our faculty spoke on square roots as periodic contin-
ued fractions. We held our annual spring initiation ceremony in March,
initiating 5 new student members and 1 new faculty member.
New Initiates – Abigail Beliel, Michaela Brown, Paul Enneking, Madison Henley, Yuta
Tsutsumi, and Todd Cooksey (faculty).
KY Beta – University of the Cumberlands
Chapter President – Matthew Prather; 22 Current Members; 4 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Abby Walker, Vice President; Dustin Hensley,
Secretary; Joshua Isenhoff, Treasurer; Dr. Jonathan Ramey, Correspond-
ing Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
On April 11, members assisted in hosting a regional high school math
contest, held annually at the University of the Cumberlands. On April 29,
2019, the Kentucky Beta chapter held an initiation at the Correll Science
Spring 2019 41

Complex and a dinner at the Torres Steakhouse. Kappa Mu Epsilon initi-

ated four new student members at the ceremony, presided over by outgoing
president, Matthew Prather. As an additional feature, senior awards were
given by the department at the banquet.
KY Gamma – Bellarmine University
Corresponding Secretary – Jen Miller; 19 New Members
New Initiates – Michael Ackerman, Megan Alexander, Emily Barrett, Brennan Bauer,
Maxwell Cartor, Abigail Finch, Philip Golden, Jerod Hopson, Andrea Howard, Joseph
Isakson, Gregory Kelsey, Brandon Messex, Jennifer Miller, Jordan Reinhart, Bekkah Tra-
chtenburg, Jamey Van Dyke, Susan White, Alyssa Wyman, and Daylene Zielinski.
MD Alpha – Notre Dame of Maryland University
Chapter President – Chinwendu Nwokeabia; 28 Current Members; 8 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Bhavya Bhardwaj, Vice President; Justice
Walrath, Secretary; Hannah Woodworth, Treasurer; Charles Buehrle, Cor-
responding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
Below are items from MD Alpha.

New Initiates – Amanda Ashton, Aisha Azhar, Hannah Campbell, Emily Garzon, Sarah
Hasnain, Hunter King, Keira Mull, and Uloaku Onwumelu.
MD Delta – Frostburg State University
Chapter President – Demetrick McDonald; 27 Current Members; 14 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Braden Ebersole, Vice President; Jordan
Thomas, Secretary; Zach Kline, Treasurer; Mark Hughes, Corresponding
42 The Pentagon

Secretary and Faculty Sponsor; and Frank Barnet, Faculty Sponsor.

Spring Semester 2019 was especially active for Maryland Delta Chapter.
After an organizational meeting in February our Initiation Ceremony was
held on March 10. Fourteen new members were welcomed to the chapter
which is the largest group we’ve had in quite a few years. The ceremony
included a presentation by faculty sponsor Dr. Mark Hughes on some in-
teresting applications of Cavalieri’s Principle due to Roberval and Torri-
celli. A few days later we held our annual Pi-Day Bake Sale which was
quite successful. The month of April was very special in that Maryland
Delta Chapter had the honor of hosting Kappa Mu Epsilon’s 42nd Bien-
nial National Convention. It was a wonderful experience to meet students
and faculty representing some 18 KME chapters coming from 11 differ-
ent states. Among the highlights of the convention were the twelve student
presentations where a lot of talent was on display! Thanks go to the stu-
dents of Maryland Delta Chapter who helped make this a successful event,
in particular, our chapter secretary Jordan Thomas. During our late April
meeting, new officers were elected for the upcoming school year. Jordan
Thomas will serve as President, with Katelynn Suesse as Vice President
and Bailey Brewer as Secretary. We finished the semester with a picnic
on our “reading day” just before the start of final exams. We were fortu-
nate to have great weather (unlike last year!) and a lot of fun was had by
all. We offer our best wishes to graduating chapter members, namely, De-
von Zollinhofer, Erikas Laignel and chapter officers Demetrick McDonald,
Braden Ebersole and Zach Kline.
New Initiates – Perry Beachum, Matthew Beall, Philip Bernstein, Bailey Brewer, Ryan
Esteban, Katie Hamilton, Ian Macomber, Bryan May, Ryan Miller, Jesse Miltenberger,
Deion Okonkwo, Griffith Speis, Sophia Staggers, and Devin Williams.
MD Epsilon – Stevenson University
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Benjamin Wilson; 10 New Members
New Initiates – Caroline Dangel, Zachary DeMunda, Henry Fleishman, Meytal Guller,
Michael Hall, Cassidy Hankins, Thomas Holcomb, Katie Leftridge, Sarah Riggin, and
Evan Williams.
MI Alpha – Albion College
Corresponding Secretary – Mark Bolman; 4 New Members
New Initiates – Subeedei Barkhasbadi, Kendra Cook, Claire Mitchell, and Samantha White.
MI Beta – Central Michigan University
Chapter President – Natalie DeVos; 15 Current Members; 6 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: MinJeong Kim, Vice President; Emily Naegelin,
Secretary; Evan Miller, Treasurer; Camilla Madacki, Public Relations;
and Dr. Ben Salisbury, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
The first meeting of the Spring 2019 semester was on January 14. The
Spring 2019 43

meeting conducted some ice breakers to get acquainted with new attendees
and played the game MindTrap. KME held a book sale in from January
15 until January 17 to raise funds for their activities. On February 4, KME
held a mathematically inspired escape room. The game was organized
by KME board member Evan Miller. KME and Gamma Iota Sigma had
been in discussion for some time about a joint panel intended to give pro-
fessional advice to those majoring in mathematical sciences. This panel
came to fruition on February 19. The panel consisted of a mathematics
professor, a high school mathematics teacher, an actuary, two data scien-
tists, a current Ph.D. student, and the current mayor of Mount Pleasant
(who graduated with a mathematics major from CMU). There was a Sage-
Math/Python tutorial at the February 25 meeting. KME held a competition
amongst its members for a Pi Day T-shirt design. The winning design was
submitted by Jean Han. Shirts were sold in the department from March 12
until March 14. By the completion of the sale, the shirts were sold out. On
March 18, Olivia Walch (University of Michigan) gave a lecture entitled
“Math, Sleep, and Our Phones.” In her talk, Dr. Walch discussed the math-
ematics of sleep and circadian rhythms. On April Fools’ Day, KME hosted
a meeting on mathematics and magic. KME members raised money to sup-
port the “Special Olympics” event on CMU campus by selling medallions
in April 2018. The overall campaign took place from March 19 until May
5 in preparation for the games held May 31 to June 2. KME had a table set
up in the department selling medallions from April 9 until April 12. KME
held its 2019 initiation ceremony on April 14. Six new members were ini-
tiated into the society. Jordan Watts, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
at CMU, gave a talk entitled “Game of Bones: A Song of Aid and Explo-
ration”. Mathematical Jeopardy! was the name of the game on April 15.
Math-a-palooza was again co-organized by KME with the AMS Graduate
Student Chapter. The Spring 2019 event was held on April 26.
44 The Pentagon

New Initiates – Lauren Hutter, Luke Kupari, Wenjie Li, Evan Miller, Bridget Parker, and
Antonia Sundeen.
MI Delta – Hillsdale College
Chapter President – Gill West; 62 Current Members; 13 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Abigail Trouwborst, Vice President; Emma
Clifton, Secretary; Ben Becker, Treasurer; and Dr. David Gaebler, Corre-
sponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
The Michigan Delta chapter inaugurated 13 members on February 26,
2019. The initiation ceremony was accompanied by a math talk by Dr.
David Gaebler on “Generatingfunctionology: Bridging the Gap Between
the Continuous and the Discrete.”
MI Epsilon – Kettering University
Chapter President – Danny Boyle; 32 Current Members; 17 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Rebecca Abbott McCune, Vice President;
Makayla Carpenter, Secretary; Lindsey Malson, Treasurer; Boyan Dim-
itrov, Corresponding Secretary; and Dr. Matt Causley, Faculty Sponsor.
Kettering has now successfully re-established both its A and B-section
chapters of KME. We were very pleased to add 17 members to B-section
Spring 2019 45

last fall, and downright elated to initiate new 32 members this spring! Fu-
ture events that are planned include social mixers, tutoring high school stu-
dents in the greater Flint community, and perhaps a T-shirt design to raise
funds for the society. The Winter and Spring terms brought lots of excite-
ment into our Mathematics life. First of all, our Actuarial program was
granted the Advanced Curriculum designation by the Society of Actuaries
thanks to the work of our colleague Hee Seok Nam. He joined Ketter-
ing 4 years ago, and his job is getting the highest ratings. Next I would
note the inclusion of the “Islands” virtual environment in our Statistics
education program. This program is supported by Terrell grant through
our Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and was ini-
tiated by our Department Head, Dr. Leszek Gawarecki). The “Islands”
offer a holistic experience for students: they transition through all stages
of a real statistical study, from planning, data collection and organization,
to formulating and testing hypotheses and drawing conclusions and mak-
ing recommendations. Final reports are in the form of class presentations.
Students are excited about the new “toy“. We intend to present our re-
sults at the next Lilly conference, the QuadPod Symposium and maybe
at some of the KME traditional sessions. Another important and signifi-
cant outcome is the nomination of our student and KME President, Peter
Morell, for the Presidential Medal at the upcoming Graduation, June 15.
Peter is completing his Kettering education with remarkable results: he
received the Applied Mathematics Student Research Award in 2015 as a
sophomore for his research on fast approximations of the Euler Constant
“e”, in collaboration with our current faculty sponsor, Dr. Matt Causley.
Peter is the President of our KME Kettering chapter of Section B. We are
glad for his achievements. Wish him a good luck in his future professional
life. Sorry to see Peter leaving. Another deserving news is that our col-
league and longtime KME member, professor Ilya Kudish retired. He is
Professor Emeritus at Kettering, one of the best in Tribology research, the
NFL grant recipient years ago, on the wall of fame posted and valuable
applied mathematics member. We are sorry to see him leaving, but wish
Ilya a happy retirement and further best in his research endeavors. I finish
my report with a photo of our B-section Kettering KME Michigan Epsilon
student members.
46 The Pentagon

On the floor are the Corresponding Secretary, Professor Dr. Boyan

Dimitrov, and the Faculty Sponsor, Professor Dr. Matt Causley
New Initiates – Andrea Allen, Kareem Alsarraj, Khary Atchinson, Isabella Barrett, Karen
Bennett, Larissa Buckingham, Sophia Dancel, Andrew Gomez, Jordan Howell, Joyce He,
Amy Jachim, Chandler Larimore, Nolan Martin, Peter Morell, Leah Stock, Molly Wittig,
and Rachel Wyatt.
MO Beta – University of Central Missouri
Chapter President – Matthew Enlow; 22 Current Members; 6 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Derek Noe, Vice President; Jonathan Hunt,
Secretary; Yah Lee Chua, Treasurer; Alec McClendon, Historian; Rhonda
McKee, Corresponding Secretary; and Steve Shattuck, Faculty Sponsor.
The Missouri Beta Chapter enjoyed several mathematical activities during
their spring semester monthly meetings. A highlight of the semester was a
road trip to the KME National Convention in Silver Spring, Maryland. Our
chapter was represented at the convention by 11 students and three faculty
members. Our president Matthew Enlow presented his research and was
listed among the top four papers.
New Initiates – Brittany Lynn Fuller, Victoria Hracovschi, Julia Johnson, Alec McClendon,
Riley Kathleen Meyer, and Rachelle Williams.
MO Gamma – William Jewell College
Chapter President – Katie Bird; 4 Current Members; 4 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Abby Christensen, Vice President; and Erin
Martin, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
We met and heard about the research project of our senior math majors.
MO Epsilon – Central Methodist University
Corresponding Secretary – Pam Gordy; 10 New Members
New Initiates – Cassandra Armentrout, Kody William Hackman, Hayden Hackman, Jensen
Spring 2019 47

Lake, Janie Leathers, Sabrina Otzenberger, Samuel Priddy, Petra Schaffer, Abbey Sorrell,
and Bailey Stevens.
MO Theta – Evangel University
Chapter President – Heather Culbertson; 17 Current Members; 5 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Jacob Crews, Vice President; and Don Tosh,
Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
Meetings were held monthly. In February we initiated 5 new members
and elected new officers. In April Dr. Tosh, Dianne Twigger and five
students attended the national convention at Frostburg State University in
Maryland, where one student, Rebekah Chase, won an award for the paper
she presented. Also in April we had our end-of-year meeting, where honor
cords were given to graduating members.
New Initiates – Jonathan Dasal, Cammi Kjetland, Riley Nelson, Trey Shupp, and Jonas
Taylor.
MO Iota – Missouri Southern State University
Corresponding Secretary – Amila Appuhamy; 4 New Members
New Initiates – Trevor Hailey, Jacob Lett, Kim Richardson, and Justin Sanders.
MO Kappa – Drury University
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Carol Browning; 8 New Members
New Initiates – Claire Allen, Brendan Bena, Lily Brockus, Riley Gatten, Benjamin High,
Sarah Lester, Michelle Medina, and Mark Wood.
MO Nu–– Columbia College
Corresponding Secretary – Kenny Felts; 3 Current Members; 5 New Mem-
bers
New Initiates – Karissa Brickey, Mark Dierker, Daymond Dollens, Bibek Poudel, and Alix
Ray.
MO Xi – William Woods University
Chapter President – Briley Browning; 9 Current Members; 4 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Mikayla Laburay, Vice President; and Dr.
Chris Schneider, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
The Missouri Xi chapter initiated four new members during the Spring
2019 ceremony: Mackenzie Hawkins, Aurora Henriksen, Connor Poul-
son, and Maggie Wieberg. They were joined by returning members Briley
Browning and Mikayla Laburay, as well as faculty members Chris Schnei-
der (sponsor), Julie Davenport, and Raymond Hune. Refreshments and
fellowship were enjoyed by all after the ceremony.
New Initiates – Mackenzie Breanna Hawkins, Aurora Lucie Henriksen, Connor William
48 The Pentagon

Poulson, and Maggie Marie Wieberg.

MS Alpha – Mississippi University for Women
Chapter President – Ishan Lamichhang; 13 Current Members; 6 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Ashruti Pant, Vice President; Anush Aryal,
Secretary; and Dr. Joshua Hanes, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty
Sponsor.
New Initiates – Anush Aryal, Ishan Lamichhang, Sonji Lamichhane, Ashruti Pant, Resha
Rajkarmkar, and Sandesh Timilsina.
MS Gamma – The University of Southern Mississippi
Chapter President – Yumi Mahajan; 15 Current Members; 3 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Hamas Tahir, Vice President; Gokul Bhusal,
Secretary; Amit Tripathi, Treasurer; Zhifu Xie, Corresponding Secretary;
and Ana Wan, Faculty Sponsor.
New Initiates – Lindsey Gomez, Shradha Bhatta, and Sanjan Adhikari.
NC Epsilon – North Carolina Wesleyan College
Corresponding Secretary – Gail Stafford; 8 New Members
New Initiates – Angela Nicole Bird, Payton Coleman, David Austin Mooney, Chinwe Cyn-
thia Obi, Julia Anne Trimmer, Samantha G. Valeros, Jackie N. Webb, and Abigail Wooten.
NC Zeta – Catawba College
Chapter President – Marcia-Mariel Erhart; 16 Current Members; 7 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Matt Hefner, Vice President; Cody Bennett,
Secretary; Branden Davis, Treasurer; and Dr. Doug Brown, Correspond-
ing Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
The NC Zeta Chapter sent two students and two faculty to the biennial na-
tional convention in Frostburg, MD. There Marcia-Mariel Erhart presented
a paper for which she won an award. The chapter initiated 7 new mem-
bers on April 30 and said farewell to 7 graduating seniors. A cookies and
ice-cream social followed the initiation ceremony.
New Initiates – Allison Baker, Kaitlin Koons, Rachel Martin, Luca Picci, Kelly Sandoval,
Amber White, and Nathan Workman.
NC Eta – Johnson C. Smith University
Corresponding Secretary – Brian Hunt; 8 New Members
New Initiates – Taneva Bush, Miranda Davis, Zabdiel Escalona, Charmaine Jeff, Brenda
Montanez, Jania Rodriguez, Kaitlin Santos, and Jessica Stills.
NE Beta – University of Nebraska Kearney
Chapter President – Tiffany Collins; 10 Current Members; 2 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Kyle Glandt, Vice President; Evan Olson,
Spring 2019 49

Secretary; Joshua Garcia, Treasurer; and Dr. Katherine Kime, Corre-

sponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
Our KME chapter sponsored a campus showing of the movie Good Will
Hunting, in conjunction with the History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta.
We had one graduate, Vice President Kyle Glandt, who will attend grad-
uate school in computer science in the fall at Kansas State. Kyle devel-
oped the format for a database with the names of all our chapter KME
members (over 900 as of this writing). The database now has entries up
through Spring 2009, with KME student members sharing the task of en-
tering names. We are sad to report that Dr. Richard Barlow, UNK pro-
fessor and long-time KME faculty sponsor, passed away March 25, 2019.
He was also an undergraduate at UNK and the first member of our chap-
ter, initiated in December,1959. He often taught statistics and calculus and
was a highly enthusiastic and inspired lecturer until his retirement in 2007.
His good cheer and voluble nature made a positive contribution to our de-
partment.
New Initiates – – Erin Green and Tatiana Moore.
NE Delta – Nebraska Wesleyan University
Corresponding Secretary – Melissa Erdmann; 6 New Members
New Initiates – Lily Craig, Caitlynn Croner, Andreana Cuka, Jackson Maschman, Macey
Wiebe, and Adrianna Vinton.
NE Gamma – Chadron State College
Corresponding Secretary – Gregory Moses; 8 New Members
New Initiates – Miles Chasek, Viraj Faria, Noah Fisher, Alyssa Geist, Caleb Haskell, An-
drew Hultquist, Tochukwu Mbanugo, and William Morgan.
NY Iota – Wagner College
Corresponding Secretary – Marisa Scarpa; 7 New Members
New Initiates – Delaney Beck, Noel-Aman DelCerro Vilalta, Alexandra Dmytrow, Matthew
Louis Greiss, Regina Ismaili, Allison Krauza, and Jacqueline Sjogren.
NY Kappa – Pace University
Corresponding Secretary – Shamita Dutta Gupta; 20 Current Members; 1
New Member
Our initiation ceremony was held on May 9. Typically Mathematics fac-
ulty from both campuses come together to celebrate the candidates who
are initiated over a luncheon, a lecture and initiation ceremony proceed-
ings. During the school year we host a number of student activities, such
as hosting the AMC 8, 10 and 12 contest. We also host school trips with
a fun day of math activities and campus visit for their college readiness
programs. This year Ryan Middle School visited us on March 8.
NY Lambda – LIU Post
Chapter President – Clifford Clark; 23 Current Members; 13 New Mem-
50 The Pentagon

bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Alessandro Tripoli, Vice President; Amun
Patel, Secretary; Megan Frey and Paul Tredwell, Co-Treasurers; and Dr.
Corbett Redden, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
Two members of the NY Lambda chapter attended this year’s KME Na-
tional Conference, and one of the students (Sandy Hussain) gave a talk.
Our chapter also held its annual banquet and initiation ceremony on April
7, 2019.
New Initiates – Abdullah Alatawi, Trky Alhsmy, Fatimah Alshahrani, Alexa Armenti,
Charlotte Beshers, Toby Guan, Sandy Hussain, Dilek Su Kucuk, Thomas Reid, Dana
Reynolds, Chad Tomassetti, Courtney VanRoten, and Jiarui Zhang.
NY Mu – St. Thomas Aquinas College
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Heather A. Rave; 7 New Members
New Initiates – Julia Marie Foto, Thomas John Holmes, Abagaile Therese Kimbrell, Re-
becca MacLeod, Alessandro J Molinas, Morgan Helena Santora, and Chae H. Yu.
NY Nu – Hartwick College
Corresponding Secretary – Gerald Hunsberger; 1 New Member
New Initiates – Jack Philp.
NY Xi – Buffalo State College
Corresponding Secretary – Jane Cushman; 17 Members
New Initiates – Ahmed Akbar, Karissa Allen, Stephen Bewlay, Veronique Budd-Nicholas,
Zachary Colson, Breanna Cook, Abdulkhaliq Edan, Alexander Furtney, Hannah Harsh-
berger, Kyle Hunn, Alan Pomietlarz, Victoria Rigler, David Simmons, Michele Schultz,
Carmen Terrell, Allison Torsey, amd Marcus Webb.
NY Pi – Mount Saint Mary College
Corresponding Secretary – Lee Fothergill; 4 New Members
New Initiates – Charles Benfer, Stephanie Ann Brown, Alexa Garbarino, and Sophia M.
Reinhardt.
NY Rho – Molloy College
Corresponding Secretary – Manyiu Tse and Deborah Upton; 13 New Mem-
bers
New Initiates – Christopher Arata, Kelsey Burke, Samantha Fischetto, Kathryn Gibson,
Christina Labita, Alissa Leone, Heather McAllister, John Pascuzzi, Mia Picone, Frank
Rossetti, John Rotchford, Jamie Sindicic, and Sophia Valkiv.
NY Sigma – College of Mount Saint Vincent
Corresponding Secretary – Peter Luthy; 15 New Members
New Initiates – Maria Aceituno, Daniel Amarante, Keith Carreon, Nicole Desouza, Savan-
nah George, Weily Lang, Peter Luthy, Jose Mendoza, Andrea Minei, Victor Miroshnikov,
Amir Niknejad, Danielle Quaranto, Sean Rice, Janet Rollins, and Lauren Tate.
OH Gamma – Baldwin Wallace University
Chapter President – Corrinne Horvath; 50 Current Members; 15 New
Spring 2019 51

Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Katherine Wohlford, Vice President; Thomas
Rector, Secretary; David Calvis, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty
Sponsor.
On March 4, we received 15 new initiates into membership. Our officers
for 2019-20 will be President: Sydney Leither, Vice-President: Jessica
Blakley, and Secretary: Jeremiah Allis.
New Initiates – Miriam Alramzi, Jessica Blakley, Christopher Bradshaw, Zachary Egler,
Sujatha Gaddamanugu, Cameron Krivanek, Sydney Leither, Sarah Massey, Mayre New-
comb, Samantha Pruett, Harrison Rouse, Mary Schentur, Ethan Slutzky, Hannah Timony,
and Devon Tingley.
OH Zeta – Muskingum University
Corresponding Secretary – Richard Daquila; 5 New Members
New Initiates – Caitlyn Christman, Emily Ellyson, Jocelyn McBurney-Buell, Paige Mor-
row, and Gabriel Weeldreyer.
OH Eta – Ohio Northern University
Corresponding Secretary – Ryan Rahrig; 1 New Member
New Initiates – Bryan Peck.
OH Theta – Capital University
Chapter President – Krista Taulker; 15 Current Members; 6 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Kathryn Stahl, Vice President; Taylor Mani-
vanh, Secretary; Jarrett Williams, Treasurer; Paula Federico, Correspond-
ing Secretary; and Jon Stadler, Faculty Sponsor.
This semester our Chapter of KME hosted a campus wide celebration for
Pi Day on March 14, 2019. The event consisted of giving mini pies and
coffee to students entering our Science Building and talk given by Dr.
Stadler about Math and Juggling. Students also designed a Pi Day t-shirt
for the event. Funding for this event was provided by the University Pres-
ident’s office.

This year’s initiation ceremony took place on Sunday, April 7th and we
welcomed 6 new members. Dr. Judy Holdener from Kenyon College give
52 The Pentagon

a talk entitled “Mathematical Patterns in Digital Art.” She created a piece

of art incorporating graphics from different areas and shared a little bit of
the mathematical background that led to some parts of the art composition;
it was very interesting and engaged our diverse audience of students, fam-
ilies, and faculty. During the ceremony, we also distributed KME cords to
the graduating seniors.

At the end of April, students met and selected officers for the next aca-
demic year. The officers for next academic year will be: Taylor Manivanh
– President, Jarrett Williams – Treasurer, Colin Swisher – Vice President,
and Josh Wissman – Secretary.
New Initiates – Emma Cary, Meredith Cox, Sonia Ezenwajiaku, Emily Singer, Colin Swisher,
and Joshua Wissman.
PA Alpha – Westminster College
Corresponding Secretary – Pamela Richardson; 7 New Members
New Initiates – Jessica Booher, Andrius Burnelis, Elaina Chapnell, Hannah Fell, Natalie
Horstman, Mackenzie Smith, and Emily Wilson.
PA Epsilon – Kutztown University
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Lyn McQuaid; 13 New Members
New Initiates – Safal Raut Chhetri, Angela De Cicco, Laura Durdon, Zachary Fike, Chris-
tine Holland, Karissa Jean, Jenna Kanyak, Georgia Lobb, Vanessa Maybruck, Abby Moyer,
Isaac Reiter, Alexander Swift, and Xinyi To.
PA Theta – Susquehanna University
Corresponding Secretary – Kenneth Brakke; 14 New Members
New Initiates – Sana Ahmed, Jessica Bolger, Milo J. Brooking, Jordan E. Dreibelbis,
Amanda E. Grosz, Jakob H. Hutter, Kyle C. Liedtka, Bryce D. Natter, Tyler J. Ogurcak,
Christopher J. Petraskie, Abigail L. Pihanich, Ian H. Reish, Paige Sherman, and Christian
A. Wirt.
PA Iota – Shippensburg University
Chapter President – Rebecca Feaser; 761 Current Members; 1 New Mem-
Spring 2019 53

ber
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Josue Murillo, Vice President; Conner Chap-
man, Secretary; Crystal Evans, Treasurer; Dr. Paul Taylor, Corresponding
Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
PA Kappa – Holy Family University
Chapter Co-Presidents – Melissa Cahill & Tuyen Le; 4 Current Members;
1 New Member
Other Spring 2019 Officer: Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz CSFN, PhD,
Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
The PA Kappa Chapter held its annual initation ceremony on Friday, April
5, 2019. Kaleen Harrigan, a middle-level science and math major, was
initiated as the newest member of the chapter.
New Initiates – Kaleen Harrigan.
PA Lambda -– Bloomsburg University
Corresponding Secretary – Eric B. Kahn; 6 New Members
New Initiates – Kaleb Lansberry, Jordan Marlow, Saliou Ndiaye, Walter Nelson, Taylor
Runkle, and Zachary Swanger.
PA Mu – Saint Francis University
Chapter President – Arlan (AJ) Zelenky; 61 Current Members; 11 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Vanessa Valovage, Vice President; Ry Gal-
lagher, Secretary; Hannah Boyd, Treasurer; Dr. Brendon LaBuz, Corre-
sponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
The Pennsylvania Mu Chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon held their initiation
ceremony on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. The evening began with a wel-
come from outgoing corresponding secretary Dr. Peter Skoner followed
by a prayer by chapter vice president Vanessa Valovage. After dinner,
Faculty Sponsor Dr. Brendon LaBuz presented “To Be Irrational” which
culminated with Geoffrey C. Berresford’s simple proof that the square root
of any integer that is not a perfect square is irrational. The highlight of the
evening was the initiation of our eleven new members. As usual our KME
chapter served free pie to the campus community on π day. Two faculty
members and two student members attended the National Convention at
Frostburg State University.
New Initiates – Ian Gabig, Michael Gallagher, Nicholas Hofer, Danielle Humbert, Kari
Lagan, Nathan Moore, Taylor Nesmith, Mackenna Ray, Teresa Reid, Nathan Thompson,
54 The Pentagon

and Anthony Vassalotti.

PA Nu – Ursinus College
Corresponding Secretary – Nicholas Scoville; 3 New Members
New Initiates – Thomas Cleary, Zachary Goranson and Jacob O’Neill.
PA Xi – Cedar Crest College
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Joshua Harrington; 6 New Members
New Initiates – ETCCora Bankert, Emily Bianchini, Rebecca Fox, Grace Hurd, Madeline
Kohutka, and Lois Polashenski.
PA Rho – Thiel College
Chapter President – Josh Evjene; 7 Current Members; 2 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Taylor Guth, Vice President; Courtney Har-
riman, Secretary; Brett Eckroate, Treasurer; Dr. Jie Wu, Faculty Sponsor;
and Dr. Russell Richins, Corresponding Secretary.
Kappa Mu Epsilon at Thiel College held another charity fundraiser and
Challenge 24 tournament in February. Josh Evjene, the chapter president,
arranged several free tutoring events toward the end of the semester. On
Pi Day, the chapter members sold pi themed snacks and helped students
find their birthdays in the digits of pi. We held our initiation ceremony and
dinner in April and held elections shortly thereafter.
PA Tau – DeSales University
Chapter President – Brendan G. Graham; 6 Current Members; 7 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Alexander N. Cominsky, Vice President; Emily
M. Bennett, Secretary/Treasurer; and Brother Daniel P. Wisniewski, O.S.F.S.,
Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
On Sunday, April 28, 2019, the PA Tau Chapter of Kappa Mu Epsilon at
DeSales University (DSU) initiated seven new KME members. The event
included a presentation entitled “Applications of Math in Pharmaceutical
Quality” by Ms. Colleen Caffarelli, Regulatory Compliance Specialist at
Alcami Corporation (Edison, NJ), who received her B.S. in mathematics
and chemistry in 2012 from DSU. Ms. Caffarelli was a member of the
inaugural cohort of KME initiates of the PA Tau Chapter in 2012. In at-
tendance were family and friends of the new and current KME members,
as well as several KME alumni.
New Initiates – Alexander D. Accardi, Caroline M. Accurso, Nicole A. Cruts, Nikki E.
Heckermann, Jacob W. Jones, Tyler D. Sarge, and Marissa J. Shores.
PA Upsilon – Cedar Crest College
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Jared Burns; 5 New Members
New Initiates – Austin Braendel, Timothy Deyell, Rieley Hoopes, Patrick O’Connor, and
Spring 2019 55

Evan Suter.
RI Beta – Bryant University
Chapter President – Danica Butler; 26 Current Members; 16 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Tyler Talbot, Vice President; Jacob Min-
gola, Secretary; Anthony Distefano, Treasurer; John Quinn, Correspond-
ing Secretary; and Alan Olinsky, Faculty Sponsor.
We held our annual Math Honors ceremony at Bryant University on Thurs-
day, April 26, 2019. We initiated 16 new members into the RI Beta Chapter
of KME including 15 students and 1 faculty member.
SC Gamma – Winthrop University
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Jessie Hamm; 3 New Members
New Initiates – Claire Berchtold, Darien Nguyen, and Nolan Worthy.
SC Epsilon – Francis Marion University
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Daniel Scofield; 14 New Members
New Initiates – Jonathan G. Britt, Sierra R. Cartano, Gregory Ivan Dungan, Johanna Hoffmeyer
Gibson, Michelle R. Greene, Victoria A. Hicks, Edward L. Hubbard, Colby J. Jackson,
Charles E. Jeffcoat, III, Johnathan S. Larymore, Kaitlyn E. Lowry, Zachary R. Middleton,
Taylor D. Watson, and Corbin E. Witt.
TN Alpha – Tennessee Tech University
Corresponding Secretary – Barry Elliott; 2 New Members
New Initiates – Cory Stephenson and Yixing Wang.
TN Beta – East Tennessee State University
Corresponding Secretary – Rodney Keaton; 14 New Members
New Initiates – Amelia Bernard, Brianna Cardenal, Logan Carmody, Rebecca Eubanks,
Taylor Hutchinsonk, Scarlett Knott, Richard McDonald, Amanda McKinney, Ethan Nus-
sio, Eyan Nussio, Anna Salyer, Hannah Schmidt, Mariah Taylor, and Bailey Yearout.
TN Gamma – Union University
Chapter President – Yoo Jin (Ashley) Moon; 5 New Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Cole LeMahieu, Vice President; Jenna Dula,
Secretary and Treasurer; Josie Carrier, Webmaster and Historian; Bryan
Dawson, Corresponding Secretary; and Matt Lunsford, Faculty Sponsor.
TN Gamma held its annual initiation banquet at the Old Country Store on
April 29, 2019. Former chapter member Vicki Searl, currently a graduate
student at the University of Louisville, was the speaker.
New Initiates – Emory Craft, Michael Drury, Spencer Alan McCloy, Stuart Milam, and
Ben Noland.
TN Delta – Carson-Newman University
Chapter President – Branda Moore; 14 Current Members; 3 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Kaylib Powell, Vice President; and Kenneth
56 The Pentagon

Massey, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.

Highlights of the year include a 3D rendered video about statistics, a drone
flight, board game nights, and lawn games at the Starnes Estate.
New Initiates – Morgan Coffey, Thomas Fodor, and Zackary Norwood.
TN Zeta – Lee University
Corresponding Secretary – Caroline Maher-Boulis; 7 New Members
New Initiates – – Abigail Baucom, Blayne Carroll Jr., Ava Brooke Chaffin, Lauren Noel
Holley, Madison Mabe, Jennifer Minutolo, and Jennifer Rose.
TX Eta – Hardin-Simmons University
Corresponding Secretary – Jessica Rieger; 6 New Members
New Initiates – Samantha Atkins, Jeremy Bowen, Roy Dittfurth, Johnathan Laws, James
Timmons, and James Williams.
TX Iota – McMurry University
Corresponding Secretary – Dr. Kelly L. McCoun; 7 New Members
New Initiates – Kaci Builta, Kaleb Dunks, Emily Fisher, Neah Garza, Muhanad Hawsawi,
Cody Kovar, and Martin Mercado.
TX Lambda – Trinity University
Chapter President – Nicole Spooner; 290 Current Members; 10 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Frances Stone, Vice President; Bryan Granizo,
Secretary; Dr. Hoa Nguyen, Corresponding Secretary and Faculty Spon-
sor.
TX Mu – Schreiner University
Corresponding Secretary – Clint Coles; 12 New Members
New Initiates – Joseph Anthony Albor, Caleb Brandon, Camden G. Camacho, Cassandra
Nicole Fuller, Mayte Gonzalez, Courtland Gully, Addison Leigh Hutchings, Dibenhi Y.
Miramontes, Hannah Ortiz, Julia N. Saavedra, Katelyn E. Smith, and Rebecca Vairin.
VA Beta – Radford University
Chapter President – Morgyn Church; 16 Current Members; 4 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officer: Eric P. Choate, Corresponding Secretary and
Faculty Sponsor.
VA Delta – Marymount University
Chapter President – Theresa Buscemi; 6 Current Members, 4 New Mem-
bers
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Prakriti Deuja, Vice President; Sarah Mc-
Donald, Secretary and Treasurer; Jacquelyn Rische, Corresponding Sec-
retary and Faculty Sponsor.
Some of our members visited a mathematical art exhibit called “Math-
ematical Beauty” on April 22, 2019. The exhibit was at the American
Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington, DC.
Spring 2019 57

We met with one of the artists, Margaret Kepner, who gave us a person-
alized tour of the exhibit and talked about the mathematics behind some
of her pieces there. On May 4, 2019, some of our members attended the
National Math Festival in Washington, DC. We volunteered with the Asso-
ciation for Women in Mathematics, The Bridges Organization, and Ithaca
College’s Geometric Balloon Bending.
WI Alpha – Mount Mary University
Corresponding Secretary – Jane F. St. Peter; 4 Current Members; 3 New
Members
The WI Alpha chapter will have a new corresponding secretary, Sherrie
Serros, starting in the fall, due to the retirement of Jane St. Peter.
New Initiates – Jeannette Ingabire, Judith Ifarinde-Lay, and Sherrie Serros.
WV Alpha – Bethany College
Chapter President – Jacob D. Stemmerich; 16 Current Members; 4 New
Members
Other Spring 2019 Officers: Rachel E. Gantzer, Vice President; Joseph S.
Sawyer, Secretary/Treasurer; and Dr. Adam C. Fletcher, Corresponding
Secretary and Faculty Sponsor.
It has been a busy academic year for the West Virginia Alpha chapter!
In the fall semester, several members of the chapter (including two of
its officers) traveled with the Mathematics and Computer Science Club
and the “HackBethany” cybersecurity club to SecureWV/Hack3rcon in
Charleston, West Virginia. The chapter helped the club host the thirteenth
annual Math/Science Day on campus this spring, and sponsored Bethany
College’s initiation ceremony of another new member into the Upsilon Pi
Epsilon international computing sciences honor society in April, as well
as welcoming four new members into its own ranks. One member of the
chapter accompanied three members of the Math/Computer Science Club
to the national biennial convention in Frostburg, Maryland, where mem-
bers of the chapter served on the Awards and Resolutions committees.
58 The Pentagon

Active Chapters of Kappa Mu Epsilon

Listed by date of installation

Chapter Location Installation Date

OK Alpha Northeastern State University, Tahlequah 18 Apr 1931
IA Alpha University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls 27 May 1931
KS Alpha Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg 30 Jan 1932
MO Alpha Missouri State University, Springfield 20 May 1932
MS Alpha Mississippi University for Women, Columbus 30 May 1932
NE Alpha Wayne State College, Wayne 17 Jan 1933
KS Beta Emporia State University, Emporia 12 May 1934
AL Alpha Athens State University, Athens 5 Mar 1935
NM Alpha University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 28 Mar 1935
IL Beta Eastern Illinois University, Charleston 11 Apr 1935
AL Beta University of North Alabama, Florence 20 May 1935
AL Gamma University of Montevallo, Montevallo 24 Apr 1937
OH Alpha Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green 24 Apr 1937
MI Alpha Albion College, Albion 29 May 1937
MO Beta University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg 10 Jun 1938
TX Alpha Texas Tech University, Lubbock 10 May 1940
KS Gamma Benedictine College, Atchison 26 May 1940
IA Beta Drake University, Des Moines 27 May 1940
TN Alpha Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville 5 Jun 1941
MI Beta Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant 25 Apr 1942
NJ Beta Montclair State University, Upper Montclair 21 Apr 1944
IL Delta University of St. Francis, Joliet 21 May 1945
KS Delta Washburn University, Topeka 29 Mar 1947
MO Gamma William Jewell College, Liberty 7 May 1947
TX Gamma Texas Woman’s University, Denton 7 May 1947
WI Alpha Mount Mary College, Milwaukee 11 May 1947
OH Gamma Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea 6 Jun 1947
MO Epsilon Central Methodist College, Fayette 18 May 1949
MS Gamma University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg 21 May 1949
IN Alpha Manchester College, North Manchester 16 May 1950
PA Alpha Westminster College, New Wilmington 17 May 1950
IN Beta Butler University, Indianapolis 16 May 1952
KS Epsilon Fort Hays State University, Hays 6 Dec 1952
PA Beta LaSalle University, Philadelphia 19 May 1953
VA Alpha Virginia State University, Petersburg 29 Jan 1955
IN Gamma Anderson University, Anderson 5 Apr 1957
CA Gamma California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 23 May 1958
TN Beta East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 22 May 1959
PA Gamma Waynesburg College, Waynesburg 23 May 1959
VA Beta Radford University, Radford 12 Nov 1959
NE Beta University of Nebraska—Kearney, Kearney 11 Dec 1959
IN Delta University of Evansville, Evansville 27 May 1960
OH Epsilon Marietta College, Marietta 29 Oct 1960
MO Zeta University of Missouri—Rolla, Rolla 19 May 1961
Spring 2019 59

NE Gamma Chadron State College, Chadron 19 May 1962

MD Alpha College of Notre Dame of Maryland, Baltimore 22 May 1963
CA Delta California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 5 Nov 1964
PA Delta Marywood University, Scranton 8 Nov 1964
PA Epsilon Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown 3 Apr 1965
AL Epsilon Huntingdon College, Montgomery 15 Apr 1965
PA Zeta Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana 6 May 1965
TN Gamma Union University, Jackson 24 May 1965
IA Gamma Morningside College, Sioux City 25 May 1965
MD Beta McDaniel College, Westminster 30 May 1965
IL Zeta Dominican University, River Forest 26 Feb 1967
SC Beta South Carolina State College, Orangeburg 6 May 1967
PA Eta Grove City College, Grove City 13 May 1967
NY Eta Niagara University, Niagara University 18 May 1968
MA Alpha Assumption College, Worcester 19 Nov 1968
MO Eta Truman State University, Kirksville 7 Dec 1968
IL Eta Western Illinois University, Macomb 9 May 1969
OH Zeta Muskingum College, New Concord 17 May 1969
PA Theta Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove 26 May 1969
PA Iota Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg 1 Nov 1969
MS Delta William Carey College, Hattiesburg 17 Dec 1970
MO Theta Evangel University, Springfield 12 Jan 1971
PA Kappa Holy Family College, Philadelphia 23 Jan 1971
CO Beta Colorado School of Mines, Golden 4 Mar 1971
KY Alpha Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond 27 Mar 1971
TN Delta Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City 15 May 1971
NY Iota Wagner College, Staten Island 19 May 1971
SC Gamma Winthrop University, Rock Hill 3 Nov 1972
IA Delta Wartburg College, Waverly 6 Apr 1973
PA Lambda Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg 17 Oct 1973
OK Gamma Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford 1 May 1973
NY Kappa Pace University, New York 24 Apr 1974
TX Eta Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene 3 May 1975
MO Iota Missouri Southern State University, Joplin 8 May 1975
GA Alpha State University of West Georgia, Carrollton 21 May 1975
WV Alpha Bethany College, Bethany 21 May 1975
FL Beta Florida Southern College, Lakeland 31 Oct 1976
WI Gamma University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire, Eau Claire 4 Feb 1978
MD Delta Frostburg State University, Frostburg 17 Sep 1978
IL Theta Benedictine University, Lisle 18 May 1979
PA Mu St. Francis University, Loretto 14 Sep 1979
AL Zeta Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham 18 Feb 1981
CT Beta Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic 2 May 1981
NY Lambda C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, Brookville 2 May 1983
MO Kappa Drury University, Springfield 30 Nov 1984
CO Gamma Fort Lewis College, Durango 29 Mar 1985
NE Delta Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln 18 Apr 1986
TX Iota McMurry University, Abilene 25 Apr 1987
PA Nu Ursinus College, Collegeville 28 Apr 1987
VA Gamma Liberty University, Lynchburg 30 Apr 1987
60 The Pentagon

NY Mu St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill 14 May 1987

OH Eta Ohio Northern University, Ada 15 Dec 1987
OK Delta Oral Roberts University, Tulsa 10 Apr 1990
CO Delta Mesa State College, Grand Junction 27 Apr 1990
PA Xi Cedar Crest College, Allentown 30 Oct 1990
MO Lambda Missouri Western State College, St. Joseph 10 Feb 1991
TX Kappa University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton 21 Feb 1991
SC Delta Erskine College, Due West 28 Apr 1991
NY Nu Hartwick College, Oneonta 14 May 1992
NH Alpha Keene State College, Keene 16 Feb 1993
LA Gamma Northwestern State University, Natchitoches 24 Mar 1993
KY Beta Cumberland College, Williamsburg 3 May 1993
MS Epsilon Delta State University, Cleveland 19 Nov 1994
PA Omicron University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Johnstown 10 Apr 1997
MI Delta Hillsdale College, Hillsdale 30 Apr 1997
MI Epsilon Kettering University, Flint 28 Mar 1998
MO Mu Harris-Stowe College, St. Louis 25 Apr 1998
GA Beta Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville 25 Apr 1998
AL Eta University of West Alabama, Livingston 4 May 1998
PA Pi Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock 19 Apr 1999
TX Lambda Trinity University, San Antonio 22 Nov 1999
GA Gamma Piedmont College, Demorest 7 Apr 2000
LA Delta University of Louisiana, Monroe 11 Feb 2001
GA Delta Berry College, Mount Berry 21 Apr 2001
TX Mu Schreiner University, Kerrville 28 Apr 2001
CA Epsilon California Baptist University, Riverside 21 Apr 2003
PA Rho Thiel College, Greenville 13 Feb 2004
VA Delta Marymount University, Arlington 26 Mar 2004
NY Omicron St. Joseph’s College, Patchogue 1 May 2004
IL Iota Lewis University, Romeoville 26 Feb 2005
WV Beta Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling 11 Mar 2005
SC Epsilon Francis Marion University, Florence 18 Mar 2005
PA Sigma Lycoming College, Williamsport 1 Apr 2005
MO Nu Columbia College, Columbia 29 Apr 2005
MD Epsilon Stevenson University, Stevenson 3 Dec 2005
NJ Delta Centenary College, Hackettstown 1 Dec 2006
NY Pi Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh 20 Mar 2007
OK Epsilon Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City 20 Apr 2007
HA Alpha Hawaii Pacific University, Waipahu 22 Oct 2007
NC Epsilon North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount 24 Mar 2008
NY Rho Molloy College, Rockville Center 21 Apr 2009
NC Zeta Catawba College, Salisbury 17 Sep 2009
RI Alpha Roger Williams University, Bristol 13 Nov 2009
NJ Epsilon New Jersey City University, Jersey City 22 Feb 2010
NC Eta Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte 18 Mar 2010
AL Theta Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville 29 Mar 2010
GA Epsilon Wesleyan College, Macon 30 Mar 2010
FL Gamma Southeastern University, Lakeland 31 Mar 2010
MA Beta Stonehill College, Easton 8 Apr 2011
AR Beta Henderson State University, Arkadelphia 10 Oct 2011
Spring 2019 61

PA Tau DeSales University, Center Valley 29 Apr 2012

TN Zeta Lee University, Cleveland 5 Nov 2012
RI Beta Bryant University, Smithfield 3 Apr 2013
SD Beta Black Hills State University, Spearfish 20 Sept 2013
FL Delta Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach 22 Apr 2014
IA Epsilon Central College, Pella 30 Apr 2014
CA Eta Fresno Pacific University, Fresno 24 Mar 2015
OH Theta Capital University, Bexley 24 Apr 2015
GA Zeta Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville 28 Apr 2015
MO Xi William Woods University, Fulton 17 Feb 2016
IL Kappa Aurora University, Aurora 3 May 2016
GA Eta Atlanta Metropolitan University, Atlanta 1 Jan 2017
CT Gamma Central Connecticut University, New Britan 24 Mar 2017
KS Eta Sterling College, Sterling 30 Nov 2017
NY Sigma College of Mount Saint Vincent, The Bronx 4 Apr 2018
PA Upsilon Seton Hill University, Greensburg 5 May 2018
KY Gamma Bellarmine University, Louisville 23 April 2019