Mathematics Update

Coming up in week 8 of this term ākonga have their first chance to show their mathematical skills and compete against other students internationally in the Kangourou sans Frontières.

This oddly-titled maths competition (it started when some French maths teachers got inspiration from the Australian Maths Competition) is the largest mathematics competition in the world, and GHS mathematicians have the chance to put themselves up against 6 million other students across the globe as shown in the map below:

The competition consists of multiple-choice questions across 5 year level bands:

• Middle Primary – Years 4 and 5

• Upper Primary – Years 6 and 7

• Junior – Years 8 and 9

• Intermediate – Years 10 and 11

• Senior – Year 12

It lasts for 60 - 75 minutes depending on year level, with calculators allowed only in the Primary competitions.

Here’s an example question if you’d like to have a go (Mr Weaver would love to hear from you if you have an answer and some working to explain it):

All GHS mathematicians in the maths classes below are automatically entered for this competition on Tuesday 25 March during school time, and also for its sister competition, the Australian Maths Competition, later in the year:

• Year 10 maths extra with Mrs McKeown

• Year 11 maths for STEM careers with Mr Weaver

• Year 12 maths for STEM careers with Mr De Angelis

Mathematicians in other classes in years 9 to 12 who would also like to enter should email Mr Weaver (k.weaver@geraldinehs.school.nz) before the end of week 4. There is no cost for entry, with the GHS maths department paying all entry fees.

Ākonga in years 7 and 8 will have the opportunity to put themselves forward for entry with their homeroom teacher.

The competition is scored out of 120 as indicated below, with no penalty for incorrect answers and later questions worth more marks:

• Questions 1–10: 3 marks each

• Questions 1–20: 4 marks each

• Questions 21–30: 5 marks each

The KSF competition is a low risk opportunity for ākonga to try out and develop their problem solving skills ahead of NCEA external exams (either later this year or in coming years), and is strongly recommended for GHS mathematicians wanting to develop further in being their best.