Australian Mathematics Competition

The Australian Mathematics Competition is a mathematics competition run by the Australian Maths Trust for students from year 3 to year 12, in Australia, and their equivalent grades in other countries.

History

The forerunner of the competition, first held in 1976, was open to students within the Australian Capital Territory, and attracted 1,200 entries. In 1976 and 1977, the outstanding entrants were awarded the Burroughs medal.^[1]

In 1978, the competition became a nationwide event, and became known as the Australian Mathematics Competition for the Wales awards, with 60,000 students from Australia and New Zealand participating.

The competition has spread to countries such as New Zealand, Singapore, Fiji, Tonga, Taiwan, China and Malaysia. A French translation of the paper has been available since 1978, with Chinese translation being made available to Hong Kong and Taiwan students in 2000. Large print and braille versions are also available.

In 2004, the competition was expanded to allow two more divisions, one for year five and six students, and another for year three and four students.

Format

The competition paper consists of twenty-five multiple-choice questions and five integer questions, which are ordered in increasing difficulty.

Students are allowed 75 minutes (60 minutes for the two primary papers) to read and answer the questions. Calculators are not permitted for secondary-level entrants, but geometrical aids such as rulers, compasses, protractors and paper for working are permitted.

References

^ Canberra Mathematical Association et al.: High school mathematics competition for the Burroughs medal : solutions and statistics, Canberra College of Advanced Education, 1976