Our weekly blog has been written by Mr Manktelow, Head of Mathematics. He writes about good work ethic, willingness to take on a challenge and having a positive bond with mathematics.

At Bethany, we have had a long standing tradition of entering pupils to sit extra-curricular mathematics competitions, and the UKMT Mathematics Challenge is one of these.

The UKMT (United Kingdom Mathematics Trust) is a national charitable organisation that was founded in 1996. Their headline aim is to “to advance the education of young people in mathematics” by organising and promoting enrichment events involving problem solving and team work. Papers are completed with no calculator, no measuring equipment – just a pencil, some paper and 5 possible answers to choose from.

These challenges are aimed at high-attaining mathematicians, they are designed to stretch the most able mathematicians across the country. But in my opinion – a good work ethic, willingness to take on a challenge and a positive bond with mathematics are equally important attributes. The challenges are open to any pupils that want to take on the questions.

There are 3 main Maths Challenges throughout the year:

• Senior Maths Challenge (SMC) – aimed at Sixth Formers and selected high attaining pupils in Years 10 and 11.
• Intermediate Maths Challenge (IMC) – aimed at pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11.
• Junior Maths Challenge (JMC) – aimed at pupils in Years 7 and 8.

In February we will be entering pupils into the Intermediate Maths Challenge, and the Junior Maths Challenge takes place in April. In each Maths Challenge, pupils are competing to obtain a Gold, Silver or Bronze certificate, but success is also the willingness to approach problems with determination and enthusiasm. In my eyes however, a successful challenge is one where a group of determined and enthusiastic pupils push themselves with some challenging mathematics.

For pupils who perform exceptionally well, follow-on rounds await. Several thousand pupils across the UK are invited by the UKMT to sit the ‘Kangaroo’ paper, and in previous years Bethany pupils have qualified for these challenges. Take a look at the questions below and see if you can work out the correct answer, remember – pen and pencil only, and we will update you on the results of the Challenge when they come in!

Maths challenge try-at-home questions:

Answers: