|
|
Mathletes Math. For many of us, the word itself does not offer the connotation of fun and games. Not for the Math Club. Under the direction of Mrs. Van Liefde, the "Mathletes" compete monthly with various high schools throughout the Greater Sacramento region, emphasizing having fun and a good time, rather than winning. "My goal for the people are for them to have fun. If we win, that'll be great, but my main priority is for them to have a good time," Mrs. Van Liefde says. Competitions, which take place at alternating high schools every second Wednesday of the month, consist of three teams from each school, each team comprising of five students. No more than two juniors and/or seniors are allowed in one team, as well as no more than 1 underclassman (sophomore or freshman). Each player individually competes, using the ten minutes given to solve a problem, ranging from arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, to algebra. If completed correctly, the problem would earn the team several points. All points are collected at the end of the competition to determine the top three winners, giving them a trophy to keep until the next competition. Once among the Catholic high schools who wereusually ranked among the top three (Jesuit, Saint Francis, and Christian Brothers), Jesuit has dropped a few positions. That, however, does not prevent the Jesuit Mathletes from gaining a thrill and experiencing the excitement from the challenging problems they encounter in their monthly competitions.
|
|
