High School Math Contest Gets Perfect

Eleven high school teams will compete in the 25th annual High School Mathematics Contest at Westmont on Saturday, Feb. 11 in Westmont’s Winter Hall. The contest begins at 1 p.m. with a Chalk Talk Derby, written exams and a fast-paced team competition with buzzers modeled after the once-popular College Bowl TV show. Finals will get under way beginning at 4 p.m. at the Darling Foundation Lecture Hall (Room 210). Dinner and an awards ceremony begin at 5:30 p.m. in Kerr Student Center.

Because the contest is celebrating its 25th year, the chalk-talk topic is perfect squares, which are integers that are the square of the integers (5²= 25)

“The students, we hope, will have lots of fun interacting with similarly gifted students, and be encouraged to continue their excellence in academic pursuits,” says Russell Howell, Westmont professor of mathematics.

Participating this year will be Bishop Diego, Cate, Crescenta Valley, Dos Pueblos, Family Schools, La Cañada, Oaks Christian, Providence Hall, San Marcos, Santa Barbara and Thacher.

A contest itinerary, map, sample questions and photos from past events can be found at www.westmont.edu/mathcontest.