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Math Battles
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Math Battle is a problem-solving competition between two teams, which usually represent two different schools.
The Math Club at the University of Toronto's Department of Mathematics conducted the first Math Battle in Toronto several years ago. Since then, the competition became very popular with many high school students and grew into a city-wide event.
There are six reasons that explain Math Battle's growing popularity:
- Math Battle is an excellent way to prepare for The Tournament of Towns.
To begin with, both competitions offer problems with a similar level of difficulty as well as a similar orientation on mathematical research.
- Furthermore, Math Battle trains students to present their solutions in a clear and in a mathematically rigorous way. As "speakers" students learn to deliver concise, but at the same time comprehensive, reports. As "opponents" they are trained to detect gaps and faults in practically correct solutions, which the opposite team presents. The above training becomes key to ensuring student success during The Tournament of Towns (and other competitions), during which the judges have a propensity to subtract points due to poor presentation of an otherwise correct solution.
During Math Battle competitions students gain a necessary understanding of the factors that constitute a good presentation. Also, they learn to accurately estimate the scores that they get in the Tournament of Towns and other math competitions.
- Math Battle is a team competition. Often, team spirit becomes a decisive factor in winning The Tournament of Towns. Consequently, Math Battle becomes an effective forum that teaches co-operation. Indeed, one of the main benefits of Math Battle is the fact that students learn mathematics from each other in quick, effective and unique ways, which are inaccessible in classrooms.
- Math Battle is a strategic game. Sometimes, it happens that stronger teams are beaten due to their poor choice of strategies. Not only does this add a certain level of excitement to the game, but it also teaches students to strategize.
- There is little doubt that every student with a somewhat quizzizal mind will find Math Battle problems interesting. Frequently, such students get inspired during Math Battle and develop a real taste for problem solving. Some of them get involved in Mathematics and devout themselves to further study of the subject.
- Finally, Math Battle is fun.
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