MATHMAGICIANS

Deakin University Mathematics Contest 2015

On Friday the 28th of August two teams of five girls each competed against 34 other teams of Year 10 students from 19 other schools across South Western Victoria in the 27th Annual Deakin University Mathematics Contest. 

The teams were:

Team One: Dyota Anindita, Leah Clingan, Vanessa Marsh, Lily Dawson, Loren Trotter

Team 1 (pictured)

Team Two:  Amy Lavelle, Haylee Young, Natalie Nguyen, Taylah Matchett, Alannah Matchett

Team 2 (pictured)

The day involved students participating in challenging Mathematical activities divided into four different categories; Round Table, Snap Quiz, Solo Time and Maths Relay.  Round Table involved each team of five working collaboratively on ten rather difficult problems in a fifty-minute time frame.  Both teams did well to produce solutions to most of the ten questions, but unfortunately made some simple errors along the way.  Team One finished equal fifteenth and Team Two was twenty sixth in this section

Next came the Snap Quiz. This was a speed test between two teams of equal rank, where teams gained points for correct answers and lost points for incorrect answers in a “Beat the Buzzer” style quiz.  The girls were a bit hesitant to answer questions in the first round but put in a better effort in the other rounds as they gained confidence.  The teams were placed 22nd and 30th respectively; a good effort by both teams.  After the brain drain of mental arithmetic involved with the Snap Quiz students had a “picnic” lunch to let their minds avoid meltdown.

After lunch came the daunting Solo Time which involved each team member working individually on a total of ten questions with a time limit on each question.  Both teams were overwhelmed with this part of the contest but worked well with Team One ranked equal 31st and Team Two ranked equal 24th, again a good effort by both teams.

Next came the very busy Maths Relay.  This involved each team breaking up into two pairs and a “runner”.  Each team had twenty questions to solve in a fifty-minute period, the first pair attempted the odd numbered questions and the second pair attempted the even numbered questions and the runner worked on the problems with both pairs.  Again both teams did well with Team One being equal 23rd and Team Two being equal 36th

Individual results saw Dyota Anindita come 24th and Taylah Matchett come equal 25th out of 170 students, a great effort by both girls.

Overall the two Matthew Flinders teams finished twenty third and thirtieth respectively, a very good effort on a day that saw lots of good competition.  All girls had an enjoyable time.

Try this relay question from the day.

Relay Question 11

Today is Sasha’s fifteenth birthday. On which day of the week was Sasha born.