By: Carlo Brian Angelo S. Nerecena

One of the biggest and longest-running mathematics competitions in the country today, the 2005 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Mathematics Challenge kicked off in different venues all over the Philippines, with the elementary and high school participants taking their elimination examinations last January 21 and 22 respectively. A joint venture by Metrobank, the Mathematics Teachers’ Association of the Philippines, and the Department of Education, the Math Challenge is an annual interscholastic competition that pits the best mathematical minds of local schools against one another.

For each level from grade 1 to 4th year high school, participating schools send teams of three to the competition, where they shall engage in a series of eliminations to determine the best school in each region. For the Grade 6 and 4th year participants, there is a wrinkle added to the competition. Instead of the usual three, only two shall be representing the school. However, upon winning their respective regional finals, the regional champions shall continue on to participate in the national finals, where the chance of being deemed as the best mathematical minds in the country are at stake.

There is also an individual competition in all year levels, and just like in the team competition, the regional winners in the Grade 6 and 4th year levels shall also compete in the national competition.

Last weekend’s elimination exam is set to determine which of the participants shall be representing their schools to the next stage of the competition in both the individual and team categories.

For more information about the MTAP organization, click here.