Going for Gold at Maths
The UKMT Junior Mathematics Challenge took place in April for Year 7 and 8 pupils who are in the top Mathematics sets. The results have just been announced and our pupils did very well in this national competition. Out of 3,793 entries, 3 Hull Collegiate School pupils gained Gold certificates, 8 pupils Silver certificates and 20 pupils Bronze certificates.
The United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) organises the annual Challenge to help develop and inspire an interest in Mathematics. The importance of teaching mathematical reasoning and problem-solving rather than arbitrary rules is being emphasized in recent curriculum changes; the UKMT believes that their challenges help to encourage pupils to think for themselves and develop critical reasoning.
The three Year 8 pupils who achieved Gold certificates, Jack Kelsall, Mitchell Langcaster-James and Isabelle Heath, were justifiably proud of their certificates and gave the following advice to next year's entrants:
"The Maths Challenge is fun, but it's hard work. Try your hardest - and enjoy it!"
Mrs Gill Evans, Maths Teacher said "Well done to all who took part. It's great to know that our young mathematicians are up there with the best in the UK."
To test your own mathematics, here are a couple of questions from the April paper:
Sam’s 101st birthday is tomorrow, so Sam’s age in years changes from a square number (100) to a prime number (101). How many times has this happened before in Sam’s lifetime?
- A = 1
- B = 2
- C = 3
- D = 4
- E = 5
Kiran writes down six different prime numbers, p, q, r, s, t, u, all less than 20, such that p+q = r + s = t + u. What is the value of p + q?
- A = 16
- B = 18
- C = 20
- D = 22
- E = 24
