LAST year, 300,000 pupils from 2,600 UK schools and colleges took part in Maths Challenges, the UK’s biggest national maths competitions organised by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust. For the 20002001 Challenges, the UKMT is increasing the number of schools taking part.
There are three Maths Challenges, each having 25 multiple-choice questions, designed to build confidence in ability and to stimulate thinking skills. The Challenges test reasoning and mental agility, and can be taken without preparation.
The Junior and Intermediate Challenges are aimed at the highest achieving 35 per cent; the Senior Challenge is for all students aged 16-19 studying maths below university level and also for more enthusiastic and gifted younger mathematicians. The Senior Challenge took place on November 14. There were 50,120 entries for this 90-minute paper, aimed at Year 13 or below in England and Wales, S6 or below in Scotland, Year 14 or below in Northern Ireland.
The top 1,000 students were invited to participate in the British Mathematical Olympiad (round one) on January 17. Further rounds will select six students for the International Mathematical Olympiad, to be held in Washington DC in July.
Meanwhile, the Intermediate Challenge takes place on February 1, with a one-hour paper aimed at Year 11 or below in England and Wales, S4 or below in Scotland, Year 12 or below in Northern Ireland. The Junior Challenge follows on May 1, with a one-hour paper aimed at pupils in Year 8 or below in England and Wales, S2 or below in Scotland, Y9 or below in Northern Ireland.
The entry fee is pound;6 for every 10 students. Of those who take part, 40 per cent receive a gold, silver or bronze certificate, and each school is awarded a Best in School certificate for the highest scoring pupil.
For details contact Angela Gould, UKMT’s executive director, Tel: 0113 233 1879.E-mail: angela@amsta.leeds.ac.uk Web: www.ukmt.org.uk
