RU hosts competition for region's aspiring mathematicians

For approximately 30 regional high school students, the road to the International Math Olympiad starts from Radford University on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with the second annual AMC (American Mathematics Competition) 10/12 event.

Hosted by the RU Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Math Club, the event is sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America. The young mathematicians from Southwest Virginia will be challenged by a 25-question, 90-minute exam of algebra, geometry and discrete mathematics.

"This is stepping stone and great way for students to distinguish themselves as aspiring young mathematicians," said John McGee, special instructor and event coordinator. "It is rewarding to see their efforts and interest in a future at the higher levels of mathematics."

The visiting mathematicians-to-be will also tour the campus and eat lunch as part of their day, said McGee, who added that they can also come up on Sunday, Feb. 2, for practice sessions and coaching by members of the Math Club.

The AMC 10/12 is designed to spur interest in mathematics and to develop talent through the excitement of solving challenging problems. The AMC 10/12 helps identify students with exceptional mathematics talent and provides an indication of how they stand relative to other students in the country and around the world.

The AMC 10/12 is the first in a series of examinations that is followed by the American Invitational Examination and the USA Mathematical Olympiad. Success can earn a student a spot on the six-person team that represents the U.S. at the International Mathematical Olympiad.

The Mathematics Association of America is the largest professional society focused on making mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. The MAA includes university, college, and high school teachers; graduate and undergraduate students; pure and applied mathematicians; computer scientists; statisticians; and others in academia, government, business, and industry.