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Welcome to WHIZZKIDS HOMEPAGE
On this website you will find information about the
Whizzkids Mathematics Contest. It is sponsored by CMG
(consultants in information technology) and published by De Telegraaf (a Dutch
newspaper). The problem to be solved has been designed by Jan Karel Lenstra
(EUT/CWI), Emile Aarts (EUT/Philips Research) and co-workers. We see this as an
opportunity to show that mathematics can be fun. In particular, combined with the
modern information technology and computing power, many challenging combinatorial
problems can be successfully tackled. A lot of young people are very skilled in
using their computers, and might see from this that they can make use of this in te
professional future.
Competition is open for everybody, and there is a special category for professionals (i.e., those who are involved in mathematics and computing science research and teaching). Also, students and high school classes are welcome to compete, and special prizes have been reserved for them.
The 1996 Contest was a big success and attracted many
young people with an interest in mathematics and computing science. Over 900
people submitted their best routes for 4 newspaper boys delivering 120
newspapers in Manhattan. Substantial money prizes were awarded at the ceremony
that took place in Amsterdam, November 29, 1996.
More information about the 1996 challenge and the results are found in
The 1996 Whizzkids Challenge.
A java applet has been designed that allows for playing around with the 1996
Whizzkids problem. It is found in route
editor file.
The 1997 Contest was announced in De Telegraaf on September 6, 1997. This time the problem was to organize a so-called parent's night, at which parents have conversations with the teachers of their kids to discuss their progress at school. The schedule has to adhere to the parents' requests, and on the other hand, should be finished as early as possible. More information about the 1997 challenge and the results are found in The 1997 Whizzkids Challenge.
This page was modified last on: December 23, 1997, by Cor Hurkens (wscor@win.tue.nl)
