Math Challenge

Now in its 11th year, the Metrobank Math Challenge is a yearly competition that aims to nurture talented Filipino grade school and high school students.

Organized by the Math Teachers Association of the Philippines and recognized by the Department of Education, the contest is sponsored by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) and supported by the Metrobank Fun Savers Club.

This year, more than half a million students nationwide joined the elimination rounds starting in January. The national finals for Grade 6 and fourth-year high school students were held at Metrobank Plaza on April 21.

I served as head judge for the senior level and, together with professors Julius Basilla of the University of the Philippines and Arlene Pascasio of De La Salle University, I delighted to see talented students display their skills.

Most heartening was that some schools were participating for the first time, such as Teodoro Hernaez Elementary School in Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur; Baguio Village Elementary School in Diffun, Quirino; Tabunan National High School in Almeria, Biliran; General Santos City High School; and Dansalan College Foundation Inc. in Marawi City.

Questions

Contestants first had to solve questions within 15 seconds using mental calculation, then go through rounds of 30-second and one-minute questions using pen and paper. Grade 6 students had to answer questions like:

(15 sec) A palindrome is a whole number that reads the same forward and backward. What is the sum of the smallest and largest 3-digit palindromes? Answer: 1100

(15 sec) What is the ratio of the average of 5 whole numbers to their sum? Answer: 1:5

(30 sec) A 9 m by 12 m room is to be covered with square tiles measuring 30 cm by 30 cm. How many square tiles are needed for the entire room? Answer: 1200

(30 sec) Mark bought 3 books. Two of the books were priced at 2 for P150. If the average cost of the 3 books was 80 pesos, how much did Mark pay for the third book? Answer: 90 pesos

(60 sec) A square containing 9 dates is cut from a calendar. If the sum of the 4 dates located at the corners of the square is 64, what is the number at the middle? Answer: 16

Sample questions for fourth-year high school students were:

(15 sec) In tossing 5 coins on a table, what is the probability of getting exactly 3 heads up? Answer: 5/16

(15 sec) The sum of the first 3 terms of an arithmetic progression is -3, while the sum of the first 5 terms of the same progression is 10. Find the common difference. Answer: 3

(30 sec) If log 2 = a, what is log 40 in terms of a? Answer: 1 + 2a

(30 sec) How many integers between 90 and 990 are divisible by 17? Answer: 53

(60 sec) If the length of each edge of a cube is increased by 3 cm, its volume would increase by 387 cubic cm. Find the original volume of the cube. Answer: 125 cubic cm

In the Grade 6 individual competition, Farrell Eldrian Wu of MGC New Life Christian Academy in Taguig City was champion, followed by Dann Lawrence Llabore of General Santos City SPED Integrated School and Errol John Suarez of Bicol University College of Education Integrated Laboratory School in Daraga, Albay.

In the team competition, Nathan Joseph Oranga and Andrea Jessica Jaba of St. Jude Catholic School Manila were first; Suarez and schoolmate Charlotte Advincula were second; and Vince Walter Domasig and Cynthia Marie Avecilla of Pasong Tamo Elementary School in Quezon City were third.

In the fourth-year individual competition, Russelle Guadalupe of Valenzuela City Science High School got the gold; Mark Joseph Abang of BHC Educational Institution Inc. in San Fernando City, La Union, got silver; and Marcia Butastas of Tabunan National High School in Almeria, Biliran, won the bronze.

In the team competition, Sean Timothy Cheng and Carl Lester Tan of Grace Christian College in Quezon City placed first; Brandon Chan and Julius Christopher Doolittle of Philippine Cultural College in Caloocan City were second; and Dave Didal and Jude Matthew Bernal of Potter’s Place School in El Nido, Palawan, were third.

“It has been empowering for our participants to overcome challenges and, one way or another, discover endless possibilities. May they use this talent not only for their personal well-being but also to serve as inspiration for their peers,” said MBFI executive director Nicanor Torres Jr.

Visually impaired champ

Easily the most inspiring contestant this year was Steven Valdepeñas of Alabel Central Integrated SPED Center, who bested 14 others in the Grade 6 elimination in the district of East Alabel. He was one of the top placers among 234 students from 78 schools in Sarangani. Despite congenital glaucoma, Valdepeñas excels in all subjects, and particularly loves math.

Questions were written in Braille for him by MBFI outstanding teacher Evelyn Caja of Ramon Magsaysay High School (who also taught visually impaired Roselle Ambubuyog, a math whiz who was Ateneo de Manila University’s summa cum laude graduate and valedictorian in 2001).

“We ardently embrace Steven’s participation,” said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña. “No disability can hinder excellence and we continue to awaken greater interest in math not only in ordinary students, but also in those with special needs. Let Steven be our inspiration in realizing our dreams.”

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