About 700 high school students from 53 different schools will compete in the 36th annual Kansas High School Math Relays at Fort Hays State University from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Memorial Union.
“The past few years we’ve had between 600-650 students representing around 50 schools. This year, preliminary numbers indicate we’ll have over 700 students from 53 schools,” said William Weber, assistant professor of mathematics. “The Math Relays is a competition where high school age students compete in various Math exams. The purpose is primarily a recruiting tool for FHSU, as this gives these students a chance to be on the FHSU campus for a day and simultaneously compete in an academic contest.”
Students will compete in a series of six tests: algebra, geometry, number sense, applications, trigonometry and calculations with calculators.
Each test has a 20-minute time limit. Participants can enter individually or in teams of three. Teams perform in a relay format, where each member will individually work on the paper for one-third of the time before handing it to a teammate.
The top three places for the individual and team categories for each grade and subject will receive an award. The top three schools with the most total points overall will also win awards. The school awards will be noted in their Kansas State High School Activities Association classification. Divisions are marked as 1A, 2A to 3A, and 4A to 6A.
“The tests are from different areas of math, such as Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry. We also have a Number Sense exam, Applications exam, and an exam which tests speed of calculations on a calculator,” Weber said. “Students can either participate as an individual, or as a team of 3 similar to a track relay team. Schools earn points when their individuals or teams finish within the top 6 at their grade level, and then we total up points at the end of the day to give out school awards as well.”
For more information or to register for the math relays go to, fhsu.edu/macs/math-relays/entry-forms or contact Weber at 785-628-5375.