For Immediate Release
February 5, 2002
Contact: Evelyne Girardet
312.573.4646
egirardet@latinschool.org

Area Math Whizzes to Compete at the Latin School

Can you answer the following math conundrum?: "Mary is twice as old as Jane was at the time when Mary was as old as Jane is now. The sum of the present ages of Mary and Jane is 28 years. How old is Jane now?"

How about this one?: "Five students each buy one scoop of ice cream from a store that sells seven different flavors. What is the probability that no two students have the same flavor?"

These are just two examples of the math problems that nearly 300 fifth through ninth grade math whizzes from Chicago-area and Wisconsin schools will tackle during The Latin School of Chicago’s annual math contest, "2002— A Mathematics Palindrome," on Saturday, February, 9 2002. This half-day event begins at 9 a.m. at The Latin School, 59 W. North Blvd.

The competition, is modeled after the long-running Prairie School Math Meet, held for more than 20 years on the first Saturday in February in Racine, Wisconsin. Three years ago when Prairie announced its decision to discontinue the meet, Latin’s math department jumped in to host the event and continue the tradition.

Students are invited from Chicago's Ancona School, Francis W. Parker School, and Lenart Regional Gifted Center as well as The Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove, Butler Junior High in Oakbrook, Hinsdale Middle School, Marie Murphy School in Wilmette, The Prairie School, Quest Academy in Palatine, Roycemore School in Evanston, University School of Milwaukee, and Wheaton North High School

For additional information on this event, call Math Department Chair Warren Hawley, (312) 573-4510.