Guidelines for submissions

• The math talent competition is an Olympiad-style exam which will be administered to students on Saturday 16th November 2019, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The primary venue is The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, but students also have the option of writing the exam at Presentation College, San Fernando.

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• There is no registration fee and no age restriction. Schools are encouraged to enter their best mathematics students, especially those in Forms 5, Lower 6 and Upper 6.

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• Each school is allowed to submit the names of up to six (6) students to participate. Students who previously participated in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) are not eligible for this competition.

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• Schools should fill in the attached registration form and submit it to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics before 12:00pm on Friday 15th November 2019.

  • Electronic submissions can be emailed to kevin.awai@sta.uwi.edu

  • Hard-copies can be mailed or hand-delivered to

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The University of the West Indies

St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

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• The exam is two (2) hours long. Participants must answer eight (8) questions, each worth 5 points. Students must show all working and reasoning to justify their answers. The attached sample exam and solutions demonstrate this.

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• It focuses more on students’ logical reasoning and problem-solving skills than on the extent of students’ mathematical knowledge. Questions can come from the following areas:

  • Algebra – manipulating equations, factorising, basic inequalities, logic.

  • Geometry – angles, lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, trigonometry.

  • Number Theory – playing with numbers and using properties of integers.

  • Combinatorics – counting, permutations and combinations, probability, etc.

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• Prizes for the top 3 individual performances will be awarded on Friday 22nd November 2019, the day of the UWI Math Fair 2019. An electronic Certificate of Participation will also be prepared for each participating student.

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Any inquiries about the competition and the rules should be addressed to

Mr Kevin Awai

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The University of the West Indies

St. Augustine Campus

Trinidad and Tobago

Email: kevin.awai@sta.uwi.edu    Tel: 662-2002 ext. 83553