Mathematics
Ms Susan Turnbull – Leader of Learning
Pi Day
We celebrated Pi Day on March 14. This mathematical celebration is based on the US date format mm-dd corresponding to 3-14, mirrioring the mathematical constant Pi rounded to two decimal places.
Pi is also known by the Greek letter π and is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for maths enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about maths, and eat pie of all different kinds (available from our Canteen that day). At recess and lunch there were various activities related to Pi, including bracelet making, and our annual competition to see who can recite Pi to the most decimal places. A new Marist record was set, with Aron S. in Year 9 beating his own record, reciting Pi to an astonishing 470 decimal places! In second place, Alex C in Year 7 reciting Pi to an incredible 424 places-in Korean!
Marist Mathletes and UNSW Mathematics Competition
Our Marist Mathletes program, run by Ms Turnbull and Mrs Ridge, has been running every Monday afternoon since the beginning of the year. Students have been honing their mathematical problem solving skills, equipping them with the tools and expertise needed to tackle prestigious external mathematics competitions, including the highly acclaimed UNSW School Mathematics Competition. Some of the topics we have been learning about include Modular Arithmetic, Hamming Codes and Game Strategy.
Congratulations to all our students who competed in the extremely challenging UNSW Mathematics Competition this term. The Competition, an open book three hour examination, is designed so that mathematical insight and ingenuity are needed for success tackling non-routine problems.
Mathematics Olympiad
Our Year 7 and Year 8 Mathematics Newman classes and a selection of other mathematically minded students have been competing in the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO) Senior Division Mathematics Olympiad.
Further developing problem solving concepts and strategies established in the Junior Division Olympiad, the Senior level competition provides an opportunity for high-achieving maths students to take up the challenge and test their skills against other teams from across Australia and New Zealand. The Olympiad comprises four separate contests roughly six weeks apart, starting in early Term 2. Congratulations to all students involved in this.
Mathematical Association of NSW (MANSW)
Our Year 12 Mathematics Extension 1 and Extension 2 students attended the MANSW Mathematics Enrichment Day, a challenging and intellectually stimulating occasion. Students learnt about some fascinating and thought-provoking applications of mathematics, some ways mathematics is used to solve real world problems, were exposed to areas of mathematics which they may not have encountered before and learnt how their current study of mathematics opens up a range of rewarding career opportunities. Our very own Mrs Ridge was one of the presenters, speaking about the Mathematics Extension 2 Mechanics topic.
Marist Mathmatics Homework Club
Thank you to Ms Le and Mr Formosa for running the Mathematics Homework Club every Tuesday afternoon from 3.00pm to 4.00pm. This is open to all student in Year 7 to Year 10. Many of our students have found this extremely helpful, not only getting help with their homework, but also assistance with their preparation for mathematical assessment tasks and exams.
Practice Trial Exams
Practice Trial exams
All Year 12 Mathematicians will have the opportunity to complete a mock trial exam on Friday, 12 July to prepare themselves for the upcoming HSC trials starting in Week 3 of Term 3.