The Junior Maths Challenge

On Friday 28th May, Year 7 and 8 were presented with their certificates from the Junior Maths Challenge. In Collect, Maths Teacher, Mark Budge congratulated “It was pleasing to see so many students taking part and doing well in this year’s Junior Maths Challenge, there were some incredible results. Particular recognition needs to go to Daniel, Alice and Amy for their Gold certificates and wining through to the next round, the Kangaroo, in mid-June. Well done all who took part.”

The 60-minute, multiple-choice competition from the UK Mathematics Trust saw students across the country sit papers in April, and some of its questions are still provoking much discussion amongst Fryer.

After solving the perplexing question ‘Some fish, some dogs and some children are swimming in a bay. There are 40 legs in total, twice as many heads as tails and more dogs than fish. How many fish are in the bay?’, a vibrant class debate led to the conclusion that fish, in fact, do not have legs.

Achieving a phenomenal 73 marks and above, out of 135, Amy, Daniel and Alice were delighted to receive Gold Awards and now look forward to sitting the Junior Kangaroo in June.

Daniel commented “I enjoyed it because it took all aspects of maths and put them into one thing.” Amy added “I found it quite challenging but it was really fun and I feel proud.”

True to Year 7 and 8’s experience, the UK Mathematics Trust says itself “The problems on the Junior Mathematical Challenge are designed to make students think. Most are accessible, yet still challenge those with more experience.”