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Q.E.D. Mathematics Test at HSE

Q.E.D. Mathematics Test at HSE

On March 24, a mathematics test 'Q.E.D.' (quod erat demonstrandum, meaning 'which was to be proved') will take place, organized by Yandex. It is open to anyone who is interested. As on previous occasions, HSE will be one of the test sites.

This is the fourth time that the Yandex mathematics test will take place. No in-depth knowledge of the subject is required to answer the questions – you just need to recall your basic school math. A total of ten problems has been put together and can be solved either online or at one of the 22 participating Russian universities, including HSE. This year, the questions have been translated into English for the first time, so that international participants can take part.

Online access to the questions will open on March 24 at noon. The test will be available on the Q.E.D. website for a period of 24 hours, but the 10 questions must be answered within one hour.

For those wishing not only to test their knowledge of math, but also to enjoy the university spirit, HSE will provide a classroom for participants. As in previous years, after the end of the test, the problems will be reviewed by one of the HSE Faculty of Computer Science lecturers. This year, it will be Dmitry Trushin.

‘General interest in math has increased recently, for several reasons. Math-based technologies are developing rapidly, and mathematical methods are used in all areas of research, including those that, until recently, were not considered STEM disciplines. Economics and our everyday lives are becoming digital’, said Ivan Arzhantsev, Dean of the HSE Faculty of Computer Science. ‘However, most importantly, doing math is exciting. Sometimes, adults whose work is not related to math become nostalgic about solving the complicated math problems that they used to solve during their school years. The feeling of satisfaction that they had after solving the problems has remained with them. The Q.E.D. test will help participants relive this positive experience.’

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