On Tuesday 20th March Mr Carter took four Year 8 and 9 pupils to Nicholas Hammond Academy in Swaffham to take part in the UKMT Team Maths Challenge. The pupils involved were Mitchell Palmer and Oliver Fountain from Year 9 and Barney Smith and Jimmy Cockburn from Year 8.
There were four different challenge they had to complete over the course of the day. The first challenge was the group round where they needed to work together to solve various maths problems. They could work on these individually or together, whichever way they felt best.
The second challenge was the cross number (a bit like a crossword but with numbers instead). Pupils were split into two pairs with one pair only receiving the clues for the down answers and the other pair receiving just the clues to the across answers. Their aim was to complete the cross number without communicating with the other pair even though a number of the clues needed solutions that only the other pair could work out. Oliver said. “I enjoyed the cross number the most because it included strategy and tactics as well as mathematical skill.”
Examples of the challenges faced by our competitors.
The third challenge was the shuttle round where they were again working in pairs. The first pair had to solve a mathematical problem and then give their answer to the other pair as they needed that number to complete their question. This was repeated until four questions were answered.
Northgate’s Team Maths Challenge quartet.
The final challenge was the relay where the pairs were separated to different areas of the room. One pair had to solve a question and get it marked before they were given the next question which they had to take to the other pair to complete. This continued until the time was up.
The boys were amazing all day and a real credit to the school. They demonstrated excellent teamwork and problem solving skills all day and out of the 19 schools that took part they came in a very respectable 6th place! Congratulations to Oliver, Mitchell, Barney and Jimmy and thank you to Mr Carter and Mrs Smith who organised the trip.
