Maths Distinction for Joseph

UKMT JUNIOR KANGAROO & OLYMPIAD REPORT 2017

Five Year 8 pupils at Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School recently proved themselves to be among the best young mathematicians in the United Kingdom.

Joseph and Luca were invited to sit the Junior Mathematical Olympiad paper as a result of their excellent performance in the individual challenge in April, when they scored the highest marks of all the BRGS competitors.

We were delighted that Joseph achieved one of the top fifty scores in the country on the Olympiad paper, which meant he was awarded a Distinction certificate, a silver medal and a prize.

Luca, meanwhile, achieved a Merit certificate and when you consider this paper was taken by around 1,200 pupils nationally, both boys really are in an exclusive group.

The Olympiad consists of a two-hour paper of more in-depth mathematical problems to which there are two sections: Section A required answers only, whereas full written solutions were required for Section B.

One of the questions was:

A bookmark-maker sells bookmarks for £1 each or 7 for £6. What is the smallest amount you could pay for 2017 of her bookmarks?

Four other pupils, Jason, Jasmine, Ryan and Haaris, qualified to sit the Junior Kangaroo paper.

This is a multiple-choice paper sat by those pupils who just missed out on qualifying for the Olympiad.

Over 4,500 pupils sat this paper nationally and certificates of merit are awarded to the top 25% and certificates of qualification to everyone else who takes part.

Jason, Jasmine and Ryan received a merit certificate and Haaris was awarded a qualification certificate.

One of their questions was:

A square piece of card has perimeter 20cm. Charlie cuts the card into two rectangles. The perimeter of one of the rectangles is 16cm. What is the perimeter of the other rectangle?

A  4cm             B  8cm             C  10cm           D  12cm           E  14cm

Maths teacher Mr Wilbraham, who organises the Challenge, said: “This is only the second time we have entered Year 8 for the UKMT Individual Challenge and to have five pupils qualify for the follow-on rounds is excellent. The marks needed to get through the first phase are quite high, but Luca, Joseph, Jason, Jasmine, Ryan and Haaris did exceptionally well and deserved the chance to show off their mathematical skills in a more challenging environment. Luca’s and Joseph’s Olympiad paper was particularly difficult for them as it was two solid hours of answering Maths questions, some of which were very open-ended and certainly different from what they will experience in the classroom. For Joseph to do so well and achieve one of the best scores in the country is a remarkable achievement and one of which he should be very proud; I know we certainly are! All the pupils found the questions extremely challenging, but they did really well and we are very pleased with their effort and commitment, as well as their continued interest in Mathematics.”

Joseph is pictured with his medal and book prize, along with Challenge organiser Mr Wilbraham and Headteacher, Mr Porteous.