By Instances’ Junior Journalist Shaan Singh
The Downside Problem is a very enjoyable and iconic maths competitors run by Otago College.
It’s been round for over 30 years and nearly 1,000,000 college students have taken half because it started.
This yr, greater than 600 colleges and 24,000 college students participated. Most of them are yr 7 and eight, however some yr 5 and 6 college students get chosen too.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to be one among them for the previous two years, which makes me really feel actually proud.
I used to be first chosen in 2024, once I was a yr 5 pupil at Level View Faculty, which is positioned in stunning east Auckland.
From April to August, I accomplished 5 30-minute rounds with 5 issues in every.
Each set received more durable than the one earlier than, however I pushed myself to maintain bettering.
By the point the ultimate spherical arrived in October, I’d solved nearly all 25 issues efficiently and certified for the Remaining Problem.
Solely the highest downside solvers attain that stage, so I used to be thrilled to complete within the prime one per cent of all college students and obtain a $25 Booksellers voucher.
The competitors taught me so many helpful problem-solving methods like drawing diagrams, making lists, recognizing patterns, and organising knowledge.
It actually boosted my confidence and gave me a fantastic head begin for the subsequent yr.
In 2025, as a yr 6 pupil, I used to be chosen once more. This time I skilled even more durable, practising pattern papers nearly every single day.
I felt nicely ready and hopeful, however I nonetheless couldn’t consider it once I discovered I’d gained 1st Prize in my yr degree.
I used to be awarded a certificates at our faculty meeting together with a $100 Warehouse present card. I used to be completely ecstatic!
My suggestions:
Practise rather a lot, it makes an enormous distinction
Learn each query rigorously, some are very tough!
Be prepared to surrender some display screen time, stepping out of your consolation zone actually pays off
Profitable wasn’t simple, but it surely taught me that for those who work onerous and don’t surrender, you’ll be able to obtain wonderful issues!
Shaan Singh is in yr 7 at Bucklands Seashore Intermediate Faculty
