Ipswich student Madeleine Smit wins Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers’ Journal problem solving challenge

An Ipswich student’s top of the class maths skills have helped her take out the crown of the best problem solver in Queensland.

What else would be a more fitting prize for an ambitious teenager who just won one of the most challenging maths competitions for high school students in Queensland, than a book on numbers?

Facing off against competitors from around the state, West Moreton Anglican College’s Madeleine Smit won the prestigious Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers’ Journal problem solving challenge.

The Ipswich student says she “loves” maths and enjoyed getting stuck into complex problems; she went over all her class notes over the past couple of years to get prepared for the competition.

West Moreton Anglican College Leader of Learning for Maths Phil Trezise and Year 11 student Madeleine Smit.

It is significant accolade under her belt and the 16-year-old wants to follow in family footsteps and become a doctor.

“I love maths,” she said.

“I’m now doing two maths subjects, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Maths and I’m not bored anymore in classes.

“I was curious about entering because it’s a proper competition.

“I enjoy the challenge of solving difficult maths problems.

“I was really determined and went over all my class notes from the last couple of years. I would stop and re-do the problem from a few different angles.

“I love that there’s always more than one way to solve a mathematics problem. I love the challenge of coming up with a creative solution.

“It took an hour or two to do the solution.”

Madeleine hopes to become a doctor after school.

The Year 11 student’s reward was a book on numbers.

“The package was delivered to me while I was in class,” she said.

“When I opened it, the first thing I saw, was a piece of paper with ‘congratulations on your winning entry’, I was mega excited.”

Both Madeleine’s grandfather and great grandfather were doctors and she is keen to pursue that path after school.

“I would like to be a doctor because I want to help people,” she said.

“I’m not too sure what area I would specialise in yet, but my family were radiologists, obstetricians, and surgeons so I’m going to do further research into these fields.’’

Principal Geoff McLay said it was a proud achievement for the school.

“Madeleine has been at WestMAC since Prep and to see her grow and thrive into a student who has found a passion for mathematics and now dreams of being a doctor, it is very rewarding,” he said.

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.