| Date | Time | Location | Students Currently Enrolled | Enrollment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 19 | 10:00AM-2:00PM | Cupples I Room 199 | 12 | June 1 |
| Friday, July 24 | 9:00AM-1:00PM | Cupples I Room 199 | 11 | July 1 |
Washington University in St. Louis Mathematics Department is pleased to announce our Summer 2009 Math Circle. The Math Circle will give you a chance to continue having fun while exploring mathematics. Bring your friends and be sure to sign up early!
You can sign up for one or both sessions.
In order to run these summer sessions we need at least 10 students enrolled.
To sign up, send an email to
While these summer sessions are offered at no cost,
there are associated expenses
and we are dependent upon your kind contributions.
We suggest a donation of between $25-$50 per student per session.
This will cover lunch, honorariums to our mentors,
prizes for the students and other expenses.
Information about donations can be found at our
Here are some of the activities we will do during these summer sessions:
We will post a set of problems online, usually about a week before the session, and you, the students, try to solve as many problems as you can at home. Then, at the session you can present your partial or complete solutions, ask questions, etc. You will be talking to math teachers who can follow your thinking and make suggestions about how to improve your presentation. You will be getting as much help as you want, as well as having the experience of explaining your ideas to others. If you can't solve some (or any) of the problems, we will be there to help. Similarly, if you solve all of the problems, we'll have more problems waiting for you at the circle meeting. A Russian-style circle is designed to help you learn to present your ideas and to learn some mathematics, too. Nobody is expected to solve all of the problems; just do your best, come to the meeting, and we'll be there to help!
Math Battle is an exciting two-team problem-solving competition. This is a competition that unites mathematics, strategy, sports, team spirits and public performance.
Each of two teams receives a list of problems, each worth a number of points. The teams are given a certain amount of time to solve these problems. Then, the teams and the judges gather. The teams take turns challenging the other team to solve the problems and points are awarded by the judges.
A mathematical battle is a fun way for students to work together on mathematics and present solutions. While it is a competition, each student is supported by their team and the fun atmosphere.
Two or more teams of students are given a set of problems. These are not the traditional math problems that can either be solved or not solved. Math Auction problems are more research type problems with an easy partial solution that can be improved to better solutions.
After the students receive the problems, they they have certain amount of time to solve the problems. Then, the auction begins. Each team receives an equal initial supply of "currency". Each problem is put up for bid. The math circle leader declares the total value of the problem. A team that places a winning bid for the problem presents it's solution. The catch is that every auction problem has a partial solution that can be improved. So if another team believes that it has a solution with stronger result for the same problem, the problem is put up for auction again. A next buying team presents it's solution. A problem is put up on auction again and again until no team wants to buy the problem. When this happens, the team with the best result collects the value of the problem. All the other teams loose their bid money. Then, the next problem is put up for auction and so on.