Media Release
5 August 2009
Competition date: Thursday 6 August 2009
Today students across Australia will lead the world in having fun with maths!
The 32nd annual Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) will take place on Thursday 6 August in primary
and secondary schools all over Australia. They will be joined by students from 42 countries across South East
Asia, the Pacific, Europe, and Africa.
Students from Year 3 to Year 12 compete on the same day, making it the largest single event on the
Australian education calendar. The Competition has become a truly international event, attracting
approximately 13 million entries since it began in 1978. AMC is also the first and believed to be the
largest Competition of its kind in the world, with more than 1100 prizes and 60 medals awarded annually.
Professor Peter Taylor, Executive Director of the not-for-profit Australian Mathematics Trust, which
administers the Competition, said, “The AMC is about promoting the practical application of mathematics in
an enjoyable way to the average student, often uncovering talent outside the curriculum. Although the AMC
is the Trust’s best-known activity, we also deliver more advanced maths programs as well as a variety of
related activities in informatics (computer science) and statistics.”
Students who are outstanding both within their state or country and overall in the Competition, are awarded
medals at special annual ceremonies. This year awards will be presented to the Australian medallists by the
President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Kurt Lambeck, at the Academy in Canberra in
November.
The Trust is based at the University of Canberra and the Competition is also supported by the Canberra
Mathematical Association.
The following sample question appeared in the 2008 Junior paper (Years 7 and 8):
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
At half-time in a soccer match between Newcastle and Melbourne, the score was Newcastle 1, Melbourne 0.
Three goals were scored in the second half. Which of the following could not be the result of the match?
(A) The match was drawn
(B) Newcastle won by 2 goals
(C) Melbourne won by 2 goals
(D) Newcastle won by 1 goal
(E) Newcastle won by 4
goals
Answer (D)
SOLUTION:
Alternative 1
The score at half-time was Newcastle 1, Melbourne 0. Three goals were scored in the second half, so the
possibilities for the score at full-time are:
Newcastle 4, Melbourne 0; Newcastle 3, Melbourne 1; Newcastle 2, Melbourne 2; and Newcastle 1, Melbourne 3.
So it is not possible for Newcastle to win by 1 goal.
Alternative 2
A total of 4 goals were scored in the match. So, Newcastle and Melbourne either both scored an
even number of goals or both scored an odd number. So, (D) is impossible.
For further information or to arrange interviews and photographs, please contact:
Suzanne Fraser, Manager Australian Mathematics Trust, 02 6201 2954; 0437 670 610
Warren Atkins, Chairman - AMC Problems Committee, 02 4954 3341; 0414 258 919
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