58th Annual STS (1998–1999)
Finalists
Lisa Beth Schwartz

Lisa Beth Schwartz, 17, of Roslyn, submitted a mathematics project to the Intel Science Talent Search that explored patterns in two-way sequences of positive integers. The sequence . . . 7,2,3,1,2,1,3,2,7, . . . can be extended uniquely, so that all consecutive entries a,b,c,d have the property that ad-bc=1. For example, when a,b,c,d represent 7,2,3,1, then 7*1-2*3=1; likewise, for 2,3,1,2, then 2*2-3*1=1. She proves that there are exactly two sequences with this property. She also gives general results on sequences for the case where the number 1 (in the requirement that ad-bc=1) is replaced by any positive integer n. First in her class of 221 at Roslyn High School in Roslyn Heights, Lisa is a vocalist and pianist who enjoys tennis and golf. She has won numerous competitions for writing, oratory, model congress and math. She is editor-in-chief of the literary magazine and student newspaper, business editor of the yearbook, captain of the forensics team and mock trial, president of the math club, chairperson of student orientation and founder and captain of the law club. She is the daughter of Dr. Ronald and Barbara Schwartz and hopes to attend Harvard.

Back to List of 1999 Intel Science Talent Search Finalists