MORE than 200 students from various states competed in the Mental Arithmetic Grading and Competition held at the Penang Math Platform in Bukit Gelugor, Penang.
Contestants as young as three-and-a-half years old to 12 years old competed for the many prizes in various categories.
Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid said the event helped motivate the students in their understanding of mathematics and their ability to quickly resolve mathematical questions.
She said the students start by using the abacus to add, subtract, multiply and divide in their exercises. Through guidance and practice, the students are then able to perform arithmetic calculation using an imaginary abacus in the mind with speed and accuracy, comparable with modern devices such as calculators.
Syerleena later gave away the prizes.
The competition, which was jointly organised by the Persatuan Mental Arithmetic Malaysia and Penang Math Platform, was held for the second time at the Penang Math Platform on Aug 31.
Penang Math Platform is one of the six Penang STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning centres. The other centres are Penang Tech Dome, Penang Science Cluster, Penang Skills Development Centre, Penang Digital Library and @CAT.
Penang STEM general manager Richard Chung Chok Yin said the response to the competition showed that mental arithmetic has become more popular.
“We are pleased that mental arithmetic is catching on. Last year, we had 150 participants. This year, we exceeded 200. Our aim is to promote it to as many schools as possible,” Chung said.
He said PMP also holds classes for pre-schoolers till Year Six pupils at its premises.
Story by K.H. Ong