Welcome to Problem Challenge!


Problem Challenge is a mathematics problem solving competition aimed primarily at children in years 7 and 8. It is organised by John Curran and John Shanks, retired members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Otago, with extensive secretarial help from Leanne Kirk, also of that Department.

See the organisers’ profiles

Children participating in the competition attempt to answer five questions in 30 minutes on each of five problem sheets, which are done about a month apart starting in April.

Full details of the competition      Rules and dates

Online Registration

Online registration is now open: Registration

Competition Books

There are six competition books available. These cover 30 years of competition problems from both Problem Challenge and Final Challenge, with full worked solutions.
Book details and orders.


Latest News...

27 February: Registration is now open.

1 January: Please note our new email address: pc.maths@otago.ac.nz

Contact details...

If your school takes part in Problem Challenge and you need to change your contact details then remember that you can do this yourself by signing in to your administration page.