Israeli Team Wins International University Math Competition

The Israeli national team earned first place at the International Mathematics Competition For University Students (IMC),  an annual math contest open to all undergraduate students up to 23 years of age, Tel Aviv University announced this week.

The International Mathematics Competition For University Students took place online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It featured a total of 546 students enrolled in 96 universities from around the world.

The Israeli team came in first for team rankings and members of the team also made the top ten for personal rankings. In the team rankings, they were followed by Saint Petersburg University in second place, Moscow University in third place, and Budapest University in fourth place.

Students were given problems to solve from the fields of Algebra, Analysis (Real and Complex), Geometry and Combinatorics. The responses were evaluated by team leaders and other professors and assistant professors using criteria provided by the jury.

The Israeli team was comprised of six students, including four from the School of Mathematical Sciences at Tel Aviv University, one from the Blavatnik School of Computer Science and the School of Mathematical Sciences, and one from the Department of Mathematics at Bar Ilan University

Shvo Regavim, a TAU student who placed second in personal ranking, said the “competition was hard” but that he’s “glad we achieved all the goals we set for ourselves.” Other Israeli students placed in third place, sixth place, and ninth place in the Grand First Prize category. Two students placed in the First Prize category.

“The Israeli students were competing against the best young minds in the world, and showed impressive mathematical knowledge, along with creativity and improvisation skills, which allowed them to solve very complex equations under restricting time limits and in a competitive environment. I’m sure that those talented students will lead the Israeli market and academia to many achievements,” said Tel Aviv University’s Prof. Eilon Solan, who was in charge of the team.