The UK Mathematics Trust Challenges

Every year over 700,000 students across the world take part in The UK Mathematics Trust challenges. Here at BISB, we take part in all three of their biggest competitions: the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Mathematical Challenges. Once again, this year has been a successful one.

The aim of these challenges is to encourage mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. The problems are designed to make students think. Most are accessible, yet still challenge those with more experience. To recognise the highest performers in the challenge, the top-scoring 50% of participants are awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates in the ratio 3:2:1.

In October, some of our Years 10-11 students took part in The Senior Mathematics Challenge. This year, over three quarters of our students who competed achieved a certificate with almost a fifth of these achieving a gold certificate. One student even managed to achieve a score which, if they were eligible, would have qualified to take part in the British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1. This places them in the top 1000 students worldwide. A further three students achieved a score which, if they were eligible, would have qualified to take part in the Senior Kangaroo. This places them in the top 6000 students worldwide.

In January, many of our students from Years 9-11 took part in The Intermediate Maths Challenge. In this competition, three quarters of our students who competed achieved a certificate, with over a quarter of these achieving a gold certificate. Four students even managed to achieve a score which qualify them to take part in the follow-on rounds (the Cayley and Hamilton Olympiads). This places them in the top 600 students worldwide in their year group, we are eagerly awaiting their results. 

Finally in April, it was the turn of our youngest student to compete in the Junior Maths Challenge, with students as young as 10 taking part. Of these, just under half of our students managed to attain at least a bronze certificate, with 10% achieving a gold certificate. Five students achieved a score which, if they were eligible, would have qualified them to take part in the Junior Kangaroo competition. 

Congratulations to all who took part! Below are some examples of the questions from each of this year’s Challenges: why don’t you give them a go...

Junior Maths Challenge

Intermediate Maths Challenge

Senior Maths Challenge

Richard O'Reilly

Head of Mathematics