Budding mathematicians from across the state are preparing for a day filled with brain-bending equations and friendly competition in a quest to discover the numerical superheroes of tomorrow, with the 2023 WA Junior Mathematics Olympiad taking place in October.

"The Olympiad offers students an opportunity to solve fun and challenging mathematical problems in a competitive but friendly atmosphere."

Associate Professor Alice Devillers, UWA School of Physics, Maths and Computing

The University of Western Australia, along with the Western Australia Mathematical Olympiad Committee (WAJO,) is hosting the event which brings together students from years seven, eight and nine from WA schools with the aim of identifying the most gifted mathematics students.

Students compete individually and in teams to tackle mathematical problems they would not normally encounter in the regular school curriculum and without the comforting use of calculators.

Associate Professor Alice Devillers from UWA’s School of Physics, Maths and Computing, the Chair of WAJO, said the Olympiad helped to promote an interest in mathematics from a young age.

“The Olympiad offers students an opportunity to solve fun and challenging mathematical problems in a competitive but friendly atmosphere,” Associate Professor Devillers said.

“We hope the competition will contribute to encouraging a life-long interest in mathematics and STEM skills.”

Following the event, a prize ceremony will be held on campus at UWA, with the best performing students awarded prizes and given the opportunity to join the UWA Academy for Young Mathematicians.      

Prizes have been donated by the UWA Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Curtin University Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematical Association of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University School of Science, Murdoch University, The Gifted and Talented Unit of the Department of Education, New Edition Bookshop, Data Analysis Australia, and Optiver.

Other sponsors include the UWA’s School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Western Australia and Casio Education.

The Phill Schultz Prize will be awarded to a high school student that the WA Mathematical Olympiads Committee believes has demonstrated the most outstanding performance in maths challenge activities throughout the year.

The Olympiad will be held between 2.30pm and 4pm on Tuesday 17 October, online at the students’ schools and from 9am on Saturday 21 October on the UWA campus around the Alexander Lecture Theatre. The prize ceremony will be from 11.30am on Saturday 22 October in the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre.

A satellite event will also be held at ECU Bunbury, at the same time, for schools in the State’s South West. More information can be found here.