Prospective maths students can win £1,000 by solving some tough mathematical problems.

The Winsten Mathematical Challenge has been launched by the University’s Department of Mathematical Sciences and the External Relations Section. Prospective students can take part by visiting the Department’s website at: www.essex.ac.uk/maths/ where five mathematical problems have been posted. These can be solved using A-level maths although they are not problems you would find in any text book!

Professor Peter Higgins, Head of the Department, said: ‘We emphasise to prospective students and their parents how worthwhile a mathematics degree is in graduate employment. However we should never lose sight of the main motivation for studying maths, which is that it is an interesting and enduring subject. This is all about solving problems so we are giving our applicants the opportunity to shine and earn useful scholarship money towards the cost of their studies at Essex. You need to exercise your mathematical imagination in order to conquer these questions!’

The University’s Department of Mathematical Sciences teaches undergraduate courses in applied mathematics, pure mathematics, statistics and operational research, as well as specialist courses for computer science and electronic systems. The Winsten Mathematical Challenge is open to students from across the world and a mail shot has been sent to over one hundred schools across Essex and Suffolk.

Ends

Notes to editors:
Full details about the Winsten Mathematical Challenge, plus the mathematical problems, can be found at: www.essex.ac.uk/maths/