2010 Senior Mathematics Challenge

The Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC), from the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT), is a multiple choice contest in which students are presented with five alternative answers, of which just one is correct. It follows that often students can find the correct answers by working backwards from the given alternatives or by showing that four of them are not correct.

This can be a sensible thing to do in the context of the SMC, however, this does not provide a full mathematical explanation that would be acceptable if students were just given the question without any alternative answers.

The challenges are accompanied by solutions. The solutions for each question include a complete solution which does not use the fact that one of the given alternatives is correct. Thus the UKMT have aimed to give full solutions with all steps explained. They therefore hope that these solutions can be used as a model for the type of written solution that is expected in the British Mathematical Olympiad and similar competitions.

Questions are on:
1. Investigating Cube Numbers
2. Algebraic proof
3. Using angle facts
4. Using rules of factors and divisors
5. Using the relationships between rates of flow capacity and time
6. Comparative speeds
7. Investigating permutations
8. Investigating patterns when expanding brackets
9. Using the rules of indices
10. Investigating the areas of squares
11. Finding the median of numbers expressed as surds
12. Investigating areas with given ratios of sides
13. Investigating remainders and using the Lowest Common Multiple
14. Using trigonometry
15. Investigating prime numbers
16. Using Pythagoras’ theorem in a cyclic quadrilateral without using a calculator
17. Using the rules on indices
18. Using Pythagoras’ theorem to find the surface area of prisms
19. Using logical arguments and reasoning to find areas
20. Using fractional algebraic equations in a probability context
21. Using reasoning and trigonometry without a calculator
22. Investigating algebraic manipulation
23. Using reasoning and logical argument for the areas of circles
24. Using Pythagoras’ theorem in the context of volume without a calculator
25. Using combinations and factorials

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx5h9

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Review

Challenging

Posted by jpowell on 26th November 2011

Activity time: 15+ mins
Level / prior knowledge: Higher GCSE…

Activity time: 15+ mins
Level / prior knowledge: Higher GCSE or A-level
Subject / curriculum links / skills: Maths/Algebra, shape and number
Preparation time: 15mins to familiarise yourself with a problem
Extra resources: None
Commentary:
This year I have to teach some very gifted students to A-level standard. They will be applying to study maths at some of the UK's leading universities. The questions provided by the UKMT are not only exceptionally challenging, but are also of a different style to your average Higher GCSE or A-level question. To prepare my pupils to think on their feet during interview situations I have been getting them to answer these questions at a whiteboard without preparation. I usually make them a little more difficult by removing the multiple choice options. More questions from previous years are provided on the UKMT website.