'Exciting' maths competition held in Somerset

An "exciting" competition has been held for 600 of the best young mathematicians around the world.

The University of Bath is hosting the 65th International Mathematical Olympiad this year, on behalf of Ukraine.

All competitors are of secondary school age and are tasked with answering six questions. The test is split across two days, with sessions lasting four-and-a-half hours.

Prof Geoff Smith MBE, who is the competition organiser for the UK, said the questions are “incomparably more difficult" than a typical secondary school maths problem.

The competitors are all 17 and 18-year-olds, representing 110 countries - with six students per team.

Albert Ben Carlson from Denmark is participating for the first time.

"It was quite a good experience," he said. “It is kind of similar to an exam, so of course you are a bit tired afterwards, but you’re also excited to talk to your friends afterwards to see how they did and discuss some of the problems."

He added that Bath was "nice despite the rain".

Michele Voncken, 18, from Luxembourg, said it was "tiring", but the problems were "interesting".

“I tried my best - it’s pretty tough," she said. “It’s very interesting because you meet a lot of other people you’d have probably never met.

" I consider this a really great opportunity to compete against others whilst also having fun, meeting new people and seeing a new location."

Prof Smith said that he was “absolutely delighted” that Bath could host the competition on behalf of Kyiv.

“We’re so sorry that we’re having to do it in Britain, but we do it as best as we can and it seems to be a success," he said.

“It does provide a way for extremely strong mathematicians from developing countries to get access to first-world education and first-world careers.

“I might be able to do the first question and the second question on a good day. I wouldn’t fancy doing the hard one…if you give me a month, perhaps."

The exams will be marked over the next few days with a big closing ceremony planned for Sunday.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook, external and X, external. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.