The international virtual competition is open to children and young people aged from five to 18 and is focused on “tackling common misconceptions” around maths and helping pupils to overcome “numeracy anxiety”.
The event kicks off on March 8 and runs for 48 hours when pupils can access a series of fun challenges. Last year, more than 2.5 million games were played.
Children take part in a variety of quick-fire games and compete with peers around the world in real-time. Pupils need to complete 20 live games, earning one point for every answer scored correctly.
The games are just 60 seconds long and span a variety of topics, from multiplication to algebra. A particular aim of the competition is to make complex maths subjects more accessible and engaging for young learners.
Each global winner in their age group will receive a personalised engraved trophy and 9th generation iPad.
The competition is also set up to reduce any embarrassment pupils may feel if they answer a maths question incorrectly. Instead, children are encouraged to be curious and there is a “try and try again” approach.
Since its inception in 2007, World Maths Day has seen 10 million learners from more than 160 countries to take part. It is organized by 3P Learning.