Annual Math Contest
Shasta College has been organizing and hosting inter-School Math contests since 1990. All High Schools belonging to the Shasta College district are welcome to participate on these events. Each High School within the community college district may enter one team consisting of different participants for each of the three contests.
Dave Bush was the creator and has been the principal figure in the organization of the "Trimathelon". Jennifer McCandless has taken the lead in the contest organization after Dave's retirement, putting in many hours of her time to continue this tradition.
The Contest is hosted by the Shasta College Mathematics Department. Members of the department contribute problems, time, and energy to ensure a successful program.
The Shasta College Trimathelon consists of three competitions: a talk on mathematics, applied problem solving, and generalized problem solving. The overall contest winner will be determined by combining the school's finishing position in each of the three competitions. Perpetual trophies will be awarded to the champion school and the winning school in each category. Individual awards will be given to the first and second place finishers in each category. All contestants will receive a souvenir for participating.
The Trimathelon three competitions are:
1. Chalk Talk
2. Applied Problem Solving
3. Dragonslayer Derby
Contestants will present an original prepared talk for eight to eleven minutes on the topic "Permutations and Combinations". Minimal referenced quotations are allowed. Local high school teachers are charged with the responsibility of ensuring originality of the work. Chalkboard and/or overhead projector will be provided. The team must supply additional equipment, such as calculators and computers. Each school may enter a one-person or a two-person team. Speakers will be judged on knowledge of subject matter and clarity of presentation. A presentation outside of the time boundaries may be penalized and speakers may be stopped if excessive time is used. Judges may ask questions of the speaker at the end of the presentation.
Finalists will be selected from the morning competition and will present their talks in the afternoon to an assembly of all contestants and advisors. Judges provided by Shasta College will select the winner.
Contestants will be presented with a series of problems that involve real life applications of mathematics. These will be nontrivial and involve skills including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and probability/statistics. Each school may enter a two-person team. Team members may work together or individually to arrive at one team solution to each problem. Seventy-five minutes will be allowed to solve as many problems as possible. In the event of a tie, the winner will be the first to provide a correct solution to a common problem given during the Chalk Talk finals.
Each team may bring textbooks, books of tables/formulas, and hand held calculators totaling
kg or less. Do not try to weigh your materials too carefully, as the Shasta College Mathematics Department will conduct the "official" weighing, but will not guarantee the accuracy.
Contestants will be presented problems covering a variety of topics including puzzles and recreational math. Solution of these problems may require critical thinking, intuition, and math concepts normally covered in senior level high school math courses. Each school may enter a two-person team. Team members may work together or individually to arrive at one team solution to each problem. Seventy-five minutes will be allowed to solve as many problems as possible. In the event of a tie, the winner will be the first to provide a correct solution to a common problem given during the Chalk Talk finals.
Each team may bring textbooks, books of tables/formulas, and hand held calculators totaling
kg or less. Do not try to weigh your materials too carefully, as the Shasta College Mathematics Department will conduct the "official" weighing, but will not guarantee the accuracy.
2009 Trimathelon Event information and online entry form coming!
For more information on the Trimathelon Event contact:
Jennifer McCandless
P: (530) 242-2303
E: JMcCandless@ShastaCollege.edu
Contact Us:
Science, Language Arts and Mathematics
Shasta College Main Campus
Division Office Room 933
Phone (530) 242-7760
Fax (530) 225-4668
Hours 8 am - 5 pm Mon - Fri