Medals for QE mathematicians in Olympiad

Three Sixth-Formers have won medals in a national competition that is only open to the country's elite young mathematicians.

Gabriel Gendler (pictured left) and Madhi Elango, of Year 13, together with Bhavik Mehta, of Year 12, were among eight QE boys who qualified for the British Senior Mathematical Olympiad Round 1.

Gabriel won a gold medal for his score of 52 points out of 60 in Round 1 of the British Mathematical Olympiad, while Madhi and Bhavik gained silver, having both scored 44. All three won a book prize – A Mathematician’s Apology by G H Hardy – and have been invited to take part in Round 2.

The eight qualified by scoring at least 100 points in the Senior UK Maths Challenge during the autumn. In total, 27 QE boys qualified for the follow-on rounds of the Challenge – either for the Olympiad, or for the Senior Kangaroo, which is open to those who scored 64 points or more.

Round 1 of the British Mathematical Olympiad consisted of six extended questions to be completed in three-and-a-half hours, while for Round 2 there are four extended questions, which must be tackled within the same time limit. The highest scorers in Round 2 are invited to participate in training for the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Assistant Head of Mathematics Wendy Fung said: “This is proving to be a vintage year for the School in these competitions. My warmest congratulations – and best wishes for the next round – go to Gabriel, Madhi and Bhavik.”