Skills put to the test
05 Jul 2017
Keen Year 11 mathematics students Nathan Penrose, Joshua Stevenson, Ralph Chiang and Max Heywood calculated they were in with a chance as they progressed through the levels at this year’s Casio Calculator Competition.
Up against teams from schools all over Christchurch, the boys completed four team rounds and Joshua represented the team in two individual rounds – and, after a couple of hours of intense applied mathematics, they achieved an excellent result. The College team amassed a respectable 129 out of a possible 140 points, which meant they shared second place with the Burnside High School A team, just nudged out of the top spot by the Burnside B team on 130 points.
All the boys enjoy mathematics and, although there were some very complicated questions, they were not fazed by the challenge. “There’s enormous satisfaction in working out mathematical equations, seeing it all balance, and finding the answer,” says Joshua.
Run by the Canterbury Mathematical Association, the Year 11 Casio Calculator Competition was held at Hagley Community College on Wednesday 28 June.
