BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science hosts the 35th Annual Northern Minnesota Mathematics Contest on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2008. More than 500 students from 20 school districts will compete in two divisions for team and individual awards.

The contest will be held in the John Glas Fieldhouse and Gillett Recreation Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with an awards ceremony at Hagg-Sauer 100 from 3-3:30 p.m.

The contest is divided into two mathematics tests: a Junior Division test primarily open to freshmen and sophomores consisting of arithmetic, elementary algebra and geometry; and a Senior Division designed for juniors and seniors covering higher algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Each test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and many of the test problems utilize general problem-solving skills rather than rote memorization and application of formulae. Students may enter a division above his or her grade level, but not below.

Participating schools will compete in class A or AA, according to Minnesota High School League classification, for team awards. Team awards will be given to the top four teams in Class A and the top two places in Class AA in each division. Team finishes in a respective division and class are determined by a sum of the scores of a school’s three highest-scoring individuals.

Awards will also be given to individuals with the 10 highest scores in each division without regard to class, and the top three individuals on each team will receive a Northern Minnesota Mathematics Contest t-shirt.

For more information or to obtain registration materials for the contest, contact the BSU Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at (218) 755-2880.