Can you work out how many minutes are in 210 seconds, or the difference between 710 and 157 without using a calculator?
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These maths problems proved no problem at all for students in Maitland taking part in the largest and longest running maths competition of its kind in Australia.
The results are in for Newcastle Permanent's 40th annual Primary School Mathematics Competition and Maitland students have been named among the top performers across regional NSW.
The exam saw more than 17,500 students across 290 schools put their numeracy and problem solving skills to the test - with zero help from calculators, rulers or other mathematical instruments.
Newcastle Permanent's Chief Customer Experience and Delivery Officer, Paul Juergens, said it was pleasing to see so many students continue to excel in the exam four decades on from its inception in 1981.
"The Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition has been encouraging students to become enthusiastic about maths for 40 years and its great to see this exam continue to challenge the mathematics skills of over 17,500 young students.
"We know this year has been a difficult year for students, teachers and parents but the outstanding results of Maitland students clearly reflects continued dedication and commitment of many to learn and test themselves despite these external challenges," Paul said.
Maitland students recognised for their outstanding achievements include:
Hunter Valley Grammar School student Benjamin Mcclintock taking out first place in the Year 5 division.
Seaham Public School student Jack Moroney taking out third place in the Year 5 division.
Year 6 District Award winners are East Maitland Public School's Lachlan Hanna, Rutherford Public School's Oliver Byrnes and Lucas Fraser and Hunter Valley Grammar School's Thulkini Abeysinghe.
Year 5 District Award winners are East Maitland Public School's Inura Dekumpitiya and Hunter Valley Grammar School's Jeeva Swamy and Anushka Vinod-Raveendran.
Newcastle Permanent's Branch Manager of Greenhills, Di Wells, presented the winners with a special award and prize account to acknowledge their achievements.
"I'm very proud to meet and congratulate the bright young people who have shown themselves to be passionate about maths and its everyday application. It's clear these students have an aptitude for maths and we'll no doubt see big things from them in the future," Di Wells said.
The Newcastle Permanent Primary School Mathematics Competition is the largest and longest running competition of its kind in Australia.
More than half a million year 5 and 6 students have participated since it started 40 years ago, providing them with the opportunity to gain invaluable problem solving skills.
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
Check your knowledge against three questions from this year's exam.
Remember, no calculators, rulers or other instruments.
1. What is the difference between 710 and 157 ?
(A) 553 (B) 563 (C) 653 (D) 867
2. How many letters of the word BATH have 2 lines of symmetry?
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3
3. The number of minutes in 210 seconds is:
(A) 2.1 (B) 3.1 (C) 3.3 (D) 3.5
Okay, now for the answers:
- A
- B
- D
