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 and Sarah Stewart, 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
Book details and orders.
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
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...Entry for Final Challenge is now open.If you have children who qualify (at least 21 in Problem Challenge) then please get your entry in as soon as possible. |
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. |







