Estonia’s third nationwide e-maths challenge starts Thursday

Estonia’s third nationwide online maths challenge begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, with thousands of maths enthusiasts expected to take part, ERR reports. Anyone can join and solve the tasks throughout the day at erehkendus.err.ee.

Participants will tackle 12 tasks, with one for each school grade. The questions were prepared by Hele Kiisel, Helen Kaasik and Kristel Tamm of the Estonian Mathematics Society’s school mathematics section. A special programme on Vikerraadio will review the results at 2.05 p.m.

This year’s challenge will focus in part on maths anxiety: the tension, fear and discomfort people may feel while learning maths, solving problems or facing situations that require mathematical skills. These feelings can prevent people from using their abilities fully.

Participants can compete alone or form a team with family, classmates, training partners or colleagues. Teams can register a shared name on the challenge website after completing the tasks.

Everyone who answers all 12 questions correctly without using artificial intelligence will enter a draw for the 1,234-euro top prize, provided by SEB Bank.

Additional awards include a place on a bachelor’s degree course of the winner’s choice at Tallinn University of Technology for the best upper-secondary student, and a place on a microdegree course of their choice for the best adult participant. Other categories, including lower-secondary students, university students, teachers and researchers, will also receive special and draw prizes.

Tallinn University of Technology Rector Land said maths can help people develop the ability to think critically and ask the right questions. ERR board member Tiina Kaalep said the challenge could prompt conversations and debate about mathematics. SEB board chair Allan Parik said that learning to make mistakes can be an important skill.

The challenge is organised by Tallinn University of Technology, ERR and SEB Bank.