Time ticked away as students from local area high schools tapped their fingers on their desks while solving math problems at the ninth annual celebration of Math Day in the University Student Union Ballroom Saturday.
More than 200 students from grades nine through 12 competed for trophies and certificates in individual and team rounds solving math problems. Forty students, faculty, staff and members in the math and statistics department at Cal State Long Beach volunteered hours of their time to oversee the event.
During the “relay” competition, teams of three were given a total of six minutes to solve presented statistics problems. No calculators were allowed, and some students broke the rules by talking to each other while the volunteer proctors waited patiently for their answers.
The schools chose groups of six to compete as a team and individuals for the independent events, prizes and trophies.
The CSULB Math and Statistics Department sends out letters each year to local area high schools informing them about the competition. Many students participate for fun or to prepare for college-level math work.
Long Beach Polytechnic, Millikan and Palos Verdes high schools were a few of the local area schools that participated in the event.
Many volunteers there were math educators, and the majority either obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
“For many volunteers looking to become educators, the event enables them to network with high school teachers who could share with them their expertise,” said M.Tip Phaovibul, a volunteer from the CSULB Math and Statistics Department.
Robert Mena, chairman of the mathematics and statistics department, hosted the event, which is usually held in March.
“The Southern California ARML Team and Long Beach Math Circle meet once a month for three hours at CSULB,” said Phaovibul. “The organization centers activities on mathematical problem-solving independently as well as in groups. The meetings are announced on the website.”
The program also recruits high school students to CSULB’s own math and statistics program, according to Phaovibul.
Jeffrey Manning, a student home-schooled in Pasadena, won first place in the individual awards competition for answering the most problems accurately. Eighteen-year-old contestant Shotaro Makisumi, who has held multiple world records for “speedcubing” or (quickly) solving the Rubik’s Cube, was also in attendance and said he attributed his skills to math problem-solving skills and quick fingers.
Pacific Life Foundation has been funding the program for several years in conjunction with Associated Students, Inc.; LBS Federal Credit Union; 49er Shops, Inc.; Parking, Transportation & Event Services; Art of Problem Solving and the CSULB University College & Extension Services.
