Scotland's maths geniuses battle it out in National Final

Over 240 pupils from 59 schools attended the Enterprising Mathematics National Finals at The Science Centre in Glasgow on Tuesday 17 November.  Organised by the Scottish Mathematical Council, the event has been running since 1976 and is sponsored by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA).

The event is a problem-solving competition for pupils in Scottish secondary schools and upper primary schools (mainly P7).  The aim is to promote mathematics as a source of interest and pleasurable achievement.  The final consisted of a series of mathematical challenges set across the course of the day undertaken by teams of four from Scotland’s brightest maths students.

The Glasgow Academy from Glasgow won first place.  Runners up were Loretto School from Musselburgh in second place, and Milburn Academy, from Inverness in third place.

The winning team from The Glasgow Academy commented,

“It was such an honour to be awarded the winning prize at the competition.  The whole team worked really hard to get to the final and we are so pleased that this hard work has paid off.  There was some very stiff competition from the other participating teams today, and it’s great to have come out in first place.”

Fiona Morrison, President of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, commented,

"We are really pleased to be sponsoring this prestigious event for Scotland’s future maths stars.  It is encouraging to see how many talented young people are showing such an enjoyment and ability in maths.  I hope the students continue this enjoyment of maths as they go forward with their studies and start looking at future careers.”

Actuarial science has a long and proud history in Scotland, with the first pension fund founded on scientific principles created in 1742.  During the 19th century a thriving life insurance industry was founded in Scotland, and in 1856 the Faculty of Actuaries was established in response to a growing demand from the life insurance industry for trained professionals.

In addition to sponsoring the Enterprising Maths National Final, the IFoA also sponsors the Highlands Mathematics Weekend for senior students from all of Highland’s 29 secondary school studying advanced mathematics in their sixth year of high school.  Organised by the Highland Council, the event gives students a taste of a variety of career options through a series of indoor and outdoor activities over the course of a weekend.

~ENDS~

Find out more about the Enterprising Maths competition

Contact:

Annette Heninger, Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07525 592 198
Email: annette.heninger@actuaries.org.uk

Editorial notes:

About the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is a royal chartered, not-for-profit, professional body.

Research undertaken by the IFoA is not commercial.  As a learned society, research helps us to fulfil our royal charter requirements to further actuarial science and serve the public interest. 

Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of a business’s assets and liabilities, especially where long term management and planning are critical to the success of any business venture. They also advise individuals, and advise on social and public interest issues.

Members of the IFoA have a statutory role in the supervision of pension funds and life insurance companies. They also have a statutory role to provide actuarial opinions for managing agents at Lloyd’s.