Saint Jude Catholic School wins UPMC’s 1st virtual competition
News | Alliah Antig
Alexandra Gochian from Saint Jude Catholic School is the champion of the first-ever Fun Arithmetic Skills Test (F.A.S.T) of the UP Mathematics Club (UPMC). Mohammad Casib from Philippine Science High School- Central Mindanao Campus and Lance Abarquez from Ateneo De Manila Junior High School took the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively.
F.A.S.T is an online speed math competition held on May 15, 2021 for junior high school students which aims to solve intermediate mathematical problems through the use of unconventional arithmetic methods. The competition highlights the use of Vedic Mathematics which utilizes word formulae, a set of formulas that expresses relationships between various quantities, as a guide for quick calculations in solving difficult problems. One of its main objectives is to enhance understanding of mathematical problems and to give a notion that “every problem has an easy solution.”
UPMC Vice President for Academic Affairs Gwyneth Martinez said that preparing for F.A.S.T became challenging since it was done online.
“This is really a challenge since we have to think of ways and rules for the competition’s result to be considered valid,” Martinez said.
Despite these challenges, UPMC was still able to ensure that the competition went according to its ideal setup.
Virgilio Prudente, along with his colleagues in MATH-Inic Philippines, introduced Vedic Mathematics to UPMC. MATH-Inic Philippines conducted a series of talks to spread this specialized and unique system of techniques that make solving math problems fun and easier.
Martinez stated that UPMC has the same goal as MATH-Inic Philippines in making Vedic Mathematics useful to students in every aspect of their lives.
When asked if there will be succeeding competitions like F.A.S.T, Martinez answered that the decision regarding future events will depend on the next Executive Committee of UPMC.
Martinez also added that people should look out for the 1st MATH-Inic Vedic Math National Challenge (MVMNC) which will be held on June 19, 2021 by the MATH-Inic Philippines, and the 2nd Philippine National Vedic Mathematics Olympiad (PNVMO) which will commence on August 14, 2021.
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