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UK top spot for Loughborough College mathematician Jennifer

Posted: 8th November 2019 - 6:18pm
UK top spot for Loughborough College mathematician Jennifer

A Loughborough College student has achieved the top score in a nationwide maths challenge.

After going head to head with 1500 mathematicians from across the country, Jennifer Hu was awarded full marks in the 2019 UK Mathematics Trust Mathematical Olympiad for Girls.

At the end of her first year at Loughborough College Sixth Form, Jennifer achieved A* in her Maths A-level and, still only 17, is now studying for a A-levels in Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry with the College.

“I find maths competitions fun and this Olympiad was really enjoyable. I worked as fast as I could and then went back to check and re-write my solutions to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.

“When I saw my name at the top of the leader board on the website I was really surprised. My first thought was that someone else had the same name as me!”

Jennifer sat the British Mathematical Olympiad 1 and 2 tests for the first time last year. Only around 1% of A-level mathematicians qualify to enter BMO1 and of those fewer than a third exceed 20 marks. Jennifer scored 25 and achieved distinction, going on to be awarded merit in the BMO2, placing her amongst the UK’s top 100 mathematicians.

“Jennifer is set to take on the most challenging Olympiad competitions again this year and has made an impressive start by scoring full marks in the first competition, the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls, earning herself a place on the prize winners’ list and automatic entry into the British Mathematical Olympiad 1,” said Loughborough College Mathematics lecturer Anthony Clohesy.

“Over the last few weeks our Sixth Form students have been involved with a range of different maths competitions. This year saw twice as many participants as last year for the classic UKMT Senior Maths Challenge and the students really enjoyed the Ritangle competition, which requires teams to combine their expertise in coding and use of technology with their maths skills.

“During Maths Week England (11-15 November), we will also be fielding a team for the Senior Team Challenge regional heats in Leicester, comprising Jennifer from year 13 and Kyle Dreijers, Rishika Karia and Mark Nedaskovski from the year 12 Fast Track Maths and Further Maths course.

“We are incredibly proud of all our mathematicians. We do all we can to support those who are keen to go beyond their A-level studies and continue to work hard to develop and enhance science, technology, engineering and maths as well as wider STEM opportunities at the College.”