First runner-up at UNIMAS Mathematics Challenge 2023

Abbiegail Lee Mei Shu, Dennis Khong Yi Xiong, Lau Sim Yee, Lee Jia Min and Yip Shiau Huei from UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) were announced as the first runner-up winners of UNIMAS Mathematics Challenge, held online from 27 February 2023 to 14 March 2023. The team, Algebraic Avenger, was given RM1,000 cash prize and a certificate each for winning the senior category.

The team members

The students were required to answer a total of six challenging questions from four different mathematics topics, namely algebra, combinatorics, geometry and number theory. Each question was limited to seven marks. The competition also included two categories; the junior category was meant for participants aged 13 to 17 while the senior category involved participants aged 18 and above.

Lee, on behalf of the team, shared his thought on winning the competition. He said, “Since my team was composed of people wwith different strengths, it enabled us to solve a broader range of mathematical problems. Hence, the questions were distributed effectively according to the forte of each teammate to ensure all questions are completed in a targeted manner. During the competition period, a few discussions were carried out to clarify and interpret the questions so that different ideas can be collected. Besides, various theories and solutions were investigated to ensure the accuracy of the results. This allowed us to provide an optimised solution for the questions given. Finally, we would like to thank Mr Phoon Sheong Wei for advising us to increase our understanding of the questions.”

The UNIMAS Mathematics Challenge (UMaCh), organised by University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), was held in conjunction with the International Day of Mathematics, which is celebrated on 14 March every year.

Poster of Congratulations for the team, Algebraic Avenger