Maths News

2021 Maths Challenge Competition 

 The Maths Challenge is on again this year. It will start on the last week of this term up to week 3 of Term 2. Students receive a problem book containing six problems  from Years 7 to 10  ( Junior and Intermediate levels). They are required to present written solutions to as many of these problems as they can. The problems are challenging and require time and persistence, but are based on maths that should be known at that level. Students in the Junior and Intermediate levels may work with a partner who has also entered the Challenge. However, separate solutions must be submitted by each student. 

I will mark the submitted solutions from marking schemes and solutions provided by the AMT in the Teacher Guide. This also provides alternative solutions, some discussion of the origin, mathematics and teaching issues associated with each problem, and some extension problems with solutions; it is a valuable classroom resource. Marks are submitted to the AMT and, after processing, various levels of certificates are issued. 

Students are allowed to seek help from any resources other than human ones—textbooks, encyclopaedias, etc., calculators and computers. Note that websites offering help with problems are really human resources, so are not allowed, but the use of a computer-based encyclopaedia or a website providing maths information of a general nature is fine. I will be checking on progress from time to time and may be able to answer questions of clarification. Some class time will be set aside for consultation with partners. 

The Maths Challenge is designed to be an enjoyable and valuable.

Mrs. Blanco

Mathematics leader of Learning.