South African learners made the country proud at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2024, where they competed against 609 contestants from 108 countries, bagging one silver and two bronze medals.
The competition was held in Bath, UK, from July 11 to 22, with six learners representing the national team, including Moied Baleg (Grade 11) from The Settlers High School, Youkyum Kim (Grade 11) from Reddam House Durbanville, Yian Xu (Grade 11) from Redhill School in Johannesburg and three Westerford High School learners – Eli Williams and Ben Maree (Grade 10) and Ellen Grant-Smith (Grade 11).
At the IMO, the team won three medals, including a silver for Ben and two bronze medals for Ellen and Moied, and bringing the country’s ranking to 53.
The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) said the IMO was the biggest and most prestigious international mathematics olympiad, which had expanded from its original seven participating countries to over 100.
The competition sees teams of contestants tackling challenging maths exams over two consecutive days, each exam lasting around four and a half hours and comprising three complex problems.
The exam papers are meticulously marked over the following days, with each solution scored. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded, alongside honourable mentions for notable efforts.
Ben said he was very happy with his performance.
“I am really happy. I was really surprised. I’m at the bottom of the team ranking so it was a nice note to end on.”
He said a highlight of the experience was the team visiting a massive theme park in the UK.
To those who felt overwhelmed by maths, he said: “My advice is rather than try to memorise, try to understand ... that’s the best way.”
Moied said he was proud of the effort he put in.
“I am quite proud of myself and quite happy, it shows the work I’ve been putting in over the past few months has helped.”
He said he had practised four to five hours every day for six to seven months.
“A question takes up to two hours, and I do two to three. In the actual competition, you solve three problems in four and a half hours.
By preparing you have to focus on one problem, try as much as you can, fail, look at the solution and try again,” said Baleg.
On why he loves maths, he said: “It’s satisfying when everything works together, when you suddenly discover something new you didn’t see before, searching for patterns. It becomes much harder if you don’t enjoy it and you think it’s difficult.
If you try to enjoy it, it will become much easier.”
He hopes to pursue a career in something similar to actuarial science with artificial intelligence.
SAMF executive director Professor Kerstin Jordaan expressed pride in the team’s achievements.
“We are thrilled with Team South Africa’s performance at the IMO 2024. Their success highlights their individual talents and underscores the important role the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad (Samo) plays in developing our young mathematicians. Congratulations to all team members and their educators for this outstanding accomplishment,” Jordaan said.
The South African team prepared for the IMO under the leadership of Dylan Nelson and Kerry Porrill at the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences from June 12 to July 3.
They were joined by 30 top-performing countries and five African teams.
This year’s olympiad saw the US clinch the top spot, followed by the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea.
Cape Times