Maths Challenge National Final

A team of four pupils from Years 7 & 9 competed against teams from across the United Kingdom for this year’s UK Team Maths Challenge trophy.

The team finished in joint-first place at the Regional Final held in March and won the opportunity to compete in the National Final at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London on Monday 20th June. Over 1,700 schools entered the competition and 88 qualified to take part in the Final.

This is the first time a team from BRGS has reached this stage of the competition.

The team members were Jason Diamantis and Joseph Nogbou (both Year 7) and Matt Denham and Ed Glover (Year 9).

The National Final of the Team Maths Challenge, which is run by the UK Mathematics Trust, involves teams of four pupils from Year 9 and below competing in:

• A group circus involving hands-on maths problems;
• A series of shuttles in which the answer from one question feeds into the next;
• A crossnumber (mathematical crossword);
• A relay race combining physical and mental agility;
• A separate poster competition based on a mathematical subject.

Maths teacher Mr Wilbraham, who accompanied the team to London, said: “It was a magnificent achievement for our team to reach the National Final.

“The journeys to and from the capital were long and tiring, but the pupils were fully-focussed for the challenges they faced and they really gave the competition their best shot.

“Although we weren’t placed in the National Final, to be in the top 4% of teams in the country showed the depth of mathematical expertise and enthusiasm that so many of our pupils possess.

“As a department and as a school, we are really proud of their achievements and we are hopeful of reaching the same stage again next year, when Jason and Joseph will still be eligible to participate.”

 

Two example questions from this year’s National Final are:

1.            An official document needed the date written in the form dd/mm/yyyy.

On 26th January this year I noticed that 4 digits were each used twice.

How many days later is the last date for which this happens again this year?

 

2.            A circuit of the M25 is about 125 miles.

Speedy the snail, crawling non-stop at 1cm per second, completes the circuit.

How many days did he take?

Maths Challenge National Final