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A record number of 423 gifted young mathematicians from 38 schools battled it out at this year's Western Australian Junior Mathematics Olympiad (WAJO) at The University of Western Australia.

The calculator-free competition - now in its fifteenth year - challenges students to tackle a series of mathematical problems using sheer brain power.

Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 solved mathematical problems individually and in teams to win prizes of book vouchers and cash to a total of $3500.

WA Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley was guest of honour and addressed students at the awards ceremony last Saturday (November 2).

Winthrop Professor Cheryl Praeger, from UWA's School of Mathematics and Statistics, and Chair of the Olympiad organising committee, said she was pleased to see the competition grow and take on a new initiative in the Northern Territory.

"It is really encouraging to see so many young students get enthused about maths and be rewarded for their work," Professor Praeger said.

"This year for the first time, the Perth WAJO competition ran parallel with activities in Darwin, where more than 47 students sat the WAJO paper.  We're delighted by this new initiative and by the growth of the competition in Perth, where we also had eight teams take part from country schools."

The Jack Bana Award for Excellence for the most outstanding team performance was awarded to a Year 9 team from Christ Church Grammar School. The School of Mathematics and Statistics (UWA) Award for Mathematical Excellence went to Christ Church Year 9 student Nicholas Pizzino.

Other WAJO prize sponsors included the Mathematics Association of WA, Minister of Education, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, Data Analysis Australia, the Parents and Friends' Federation for Catholic Schools in WA and the New Edition Bookshop.

The Western Australian Mathematics Olympiads Com mittee (WAMOC) also presented three special student awards for exceptional performance at maths competitions throughout the year.

For a full list of prizes and awards, visit Enriched Mathematics for High School Students .

Media references

Clara Dodman (Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics)  (+61 8)  6488 5079
UWA Public Affairs  (+61 8)  6488 7977  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716