The Naturally Mathematical Challenge
Naturally Mathematical is an Internet Challenge
for the mathematically able that provides three Qualifying
Challenges and a Final Challenge. Our guidelines allow the Senior and Junior teams to answer the
Challenges over a two-week period and to vary the membership of
a registered team.
Click on The Semester 2 Challenges for links
to the Semester 2 questions and solutions as they become available. We
have retained the Semester 1 challenges. Click below to view them.
Click on the Guidelines to see how the
competition works.
The questions for the competition are devised
by Johnny Baker (Natural Maths) and Roger Duke (formerly of the
University of Queensland). A new focus of the competition is the use of
Java applets that encourage exploration of maths 'micro-worlds' and
which are devised by Roger Duke. Both
Johnny and Roger would like to see an enhanced use of computers in the
teaching of maths - computers should become as central to the teaching
of maths as they are to the applications of maths in the real world.
This competition
also provides an excellent opportunity for ICT
integration as the questions are made available over internet, solutions
are composed electronically and emailed to Natural Maths, who reply
electronically with feedback.
Recently
endorsed by Engineers
Australia as a valuable learning
experience, this competition seeks to promote problem solving skills in
ways that students can actively engage in. The
challenges often call for the use of hands-on materials and have a
practical emphasis.
Only 30% of marks for the student
solutions are awarded for correct answers; the remaining 70% calls for
clear explanations of the problem solving processes that led to those
solutions.
Owing to changes in our web-hosting service, the
competition questions will be published on this website. You can check
out challenges before you join up
teams and can join the competition simply by submitting a team's
solutions to chall2008@naturalmaths.com.au.
And if you need a few practice questions ... try
the Sample Challenges. The questions are here for your mathematically
able students to enjoy
and feel challenged by. If you have a moment, let us know how you got on.
