Problem-solving on a global stage: Students excel in international maths competition
William Cheah is not afraid of a little healthy competition. At just 14 years old, he has topped the Australian division of one of the Asia-Pacific's biggest international maths competitions for undergraduates.
The passionate problem-solver put his mathematical talent up against some of the best undergraduate minds in the region to come equal second in the prestigious Simon Marais Mathematics Competition’s East division, which covers Asia and the Pacific.
William Cheah (centre) with fellow Australian participants in the Simon Marais Mathematics Competition 2023
“I love trying new maths problems and the best way to find new problems is to do competitions,” said William, who is completing undergraduate subjects through the University of Melbourne’s Extension Program for high-achieving high school students.
The University, overall, was the best performing Australian university in the competition.
Head of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Melbourne Professor Howard Bondell congratulated all students.
“This is one of the largest international mathematics competitions for undergraduates in the region and I’m incredibly proud of our students for placing so competitively,” said Professor Bondell.
“Competitions are an important platform to foster talent, and for students to network and advance their skills. I encourage all students to utilise the University’s international links and get involved,” he said.
Hosted annually, the Simon Marais Mathematics Competition encourages creative mathematical problem-solving, forges links between academics in the region, and promotes healthy competition among students.
More than 1,000 students participated in the 2023 competition, split into two divisions – ‘East’ and ‘West’ – based on time zone. Countries in the West division included those in Europe, the UK, and some countries in Africa. After completing two three-hour papers in October 2023, the Australian winners were announced at an awards ceremony hosted by the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Melbourne on 13 February 2024.
William placed equal second out of 442 individual entries in the East division and was also awarded best individual entry in Australia, as well as the IMC Prize for Performance on the Hardest Problem. Fellow University of Melbourne student David Lumsden shared sixth place in the individual entries while duo Quang-The Ong and Ken Gene Quah placed eighth out of 249 paired entries.
The Simon Marais Mathematics Competition is named in honour of the late South-African born physicist Dr Simon Marais, who maintained a life-long interest in mathematics and problem-solving.