I had been looking forward to this event since I first signed up for the season one activities last year- the Southeast Asia Mathematics Competition 2019 Qualifier in Singapore. It was held at the Singapore Institute of Management from March 1st to the 3rd. An action-packed 3 days, sometimes working with teammates, sometimes with people from other schools, and sometimes alone left me with unforgettable memories. I had been to the World Scholar’s Cup in 8th grade, and I liken this event to the WSC of mathematics (even more apt given WSC does not have a mathematics category).
Whether it was time spent figuring out which quadratic model best fits the arc traced out by a shadow, or calculating the area of a geometric figure in a race against time (Lightning, mentally as well as physically exhausting), every minute at SEAMC seemed like I was thinking about something math-related.
This event emphasized the importance of collaboration as well as individual work in mathematics, exposing us to the out-of the box thinking that is required for effective problem solving. Many times, such as during the Open, when we had to estimated mathematically the number of chairs used during the competition (Fermi method, anyone?), I was reminded of something that my math teacher had said, “Mathematics is a profoundly creative profession, as or even more creative than art or music!” The beauty of solving a problem I had realized from the training sessions and the competition itself, is the precise logical and creative leaps used during the process.
Equilateral triangle medals make a hexagonal super-medal. (Isaac Abraham, myself, and Zhongyi Sun from left to right)
I had qualified for the World Mathematics Competition Championship Round in Melbourne this summer , which Zhongyi Sun, Joonseok Jung, and myself will be competing as a team. I anticipate the event very much.