Lausanne welcomes the math bosses to the final

“In her piggy bank, Mathilde has 10 2-franc coins and 15 1-franc coins. She decides to buy a game that costs 17 francs. How many different ways can she pay for the game with
coins from his piggy bank?” If you have the answer to this problem, you should perhaps, in the future, attempt the qualifications for the International Championship of Mathematical and Logic Games, the final of which takes place this year in Lausanne. Over two days, 350 finalists will compete in logical and deductive ingenuity on the benches of EPFL. Divided into eight age categories from 10 to over 80, the participants from 13 nations, including Tunisia, India, Japan, Ukraine and Niger, have all already qualified brilliantly in the selections. from their country.

“The event traditionally takes place in Paris, explains Eugenio-Fiore Alba of the Swiss Federation of Mathematical Games. We are delighted to see the success of our wish to welcome the finalists to EPFL this year. A way to promote mathematics in French-speaking Switzerland, and to present the polytechnic school to possible future students.

Twelve thousand Swiss participants try their luck each year, particularly through classes. This year, 68 Swiss are qualified. A third of girls, including Juliette Rouge, from Vevey, 12 years old. “It’s so great to be in the Swiss team, two days of fun,” she slips before entering the audience. “My dad, who did part of his studies in math, has been registering us for the competition for two years. This year, the quarter-finals were held at home, the semi-final in Lausanne, and the Swiss final in Zurich. I love it, it’s my favorite subject at school. In her category, Juliette will compete for two hours on Friday and two hours on Saturday, with 11 problems to solve in each of the rounds. In case of correct answers, the winners are decided on the basis of their speed.

A playful spirit

During these two days of competition, accompanying persons and amateurs not qualified for the final will also be able to participate in the events through the parallel competition, in which everyone can register to try to solve the same problems as the future champions. In addition, various activities and animations are planned to present the EPFL site, in a playful spirit.

The group photos of the various delegations over, the tension goes up a notch, almost more among the parents than among their offspring. Two young people from the Quebec Federation wish each other good luck before returning to their place, where the tests in an envelope await them. David arrived three days ago, time for him and his mother to visit the region. “EPFL has a good reputation, it is not impossible that I will come back to do my studies there, but I still have time to think regarding it,” shares the teenager.

“Mathematics and the memories to which they remind us can be dry, off-putting or even terrible for some,” smiles Eugenio-Fiore Alba. As Gad Elmaleh said: “Who among you has ever reused a compass?” In this championship, the goal is to bring mathematics back to a game and restore its reputation, giving way to its fun, intuitive and jubilant aspect. The attraction of math is linked to the way it is presented to the child, then a good mathematician will be one who trusts his creativity and trusts his intuition.

chemistry show

The first finalists come out, some smiling: “It was easier than expected.” Tears and disappointment for others. The parents immediately redo the problems with their child, compare: “You put 7, I have 8.” While waiting for the first results, a chemistry show awaits the finalists.

One last little problem before leaving? Try to determine the age of Dominique, knowing that it is a prime number smaller than 100. That if we read it from right to left, we still have a prime number (which can be the same). And that if we add all the prime numbers strictly lower than the age of Dominique, we obtain a number divisible by this age. Many answers are possible. To your calculations.