We meet regularly to discuss Olympiad-style math problems (examples). It's a very relaxed group: there is no homework, you don’t need to come to every meeting, and you can come without joining the competition.
Most problems require only very basic knowledge from high school (a few require year 2 math classes; I will tell you), but they’re challenging because they look unfamiliar and require creative solutions. The questions are hard and you are not expected to solve them all (in 2019 4 out of 8 questions is enough to come top 1/4 internationally and win $100AUD) - the aim is to have fun thinking about them.
All students are welcome - all year groups, all majors, no matter which math classes you have or have not taken.
After each meeting, I will send a summary of problem-solving tips we discussed. To join the mailing list, email me :
Possible future meeting dates and activities:
Meeting in July
Week 2 of Semester 1, 2021 - registration for the competition is due.
It takes place Saturday 9 October 2021 on campus, for three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon.
You can enter by yourself, or with a friend (also from HKBU). The questions are the same, but the scoring is separate for individuals and for teams.
You compete for yourself, there is no "HKBU team" and no selection, everyone who wants to compete can do so. The only rule: you must be within your first 4 years of higher education (i.e. university or associate degree), and have previously competed less than 4 times.
Prizes: in 2019, everyone placing in the top 1/4 internationally received a certificate, and the best individual and pair from HKBU won $100AUD.
HKBU result in 2019: 1 pair (year 3, one math, one comp) and 1 individual (year 3 math) placed in the top 1/4 internationally, by solving 4 questions out of 8.
HKBU result in 2018: 2 pairs (year 3 math, year 2 math) placed in the top 1/3 internationally, by solving 3 questions out of 8.