For the five years of its existence Caucasus Mathematical Olympiad became an impeccable fixture with a unique format. Daud Mamiy, ASU Rector and CMO Chairman pointed out that the initial idea of the event “Caucasus without borders” has acquired new depths throughout the years.

– We aim towards creating a unique learning environment bringing southern Russia and a number of neighboring countries closer together- explained Professor Mamiy.

The very next day after CMO’s Grand Opening Ceremony delegation leaders assembled for a panel discussion in the conference-hall of the Republican School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Among the issues addressed were Caucasus Mathematical Center, regional centers for gifted children and new opportunities in mathematical education both in southern Russia and on the federal scale.

A lot of regions don’t have a functional system of educating gifted children – pointed out the speakers – and when the centers that do exist don’t have the means for research and support they cease to operate properly.

The organizers meant to share Adygea’s potential and achievements in the field and offer some tips based on CMC’s experience on the one hand, and on the other to address the issues educational system is facing today with workable solutions. Successful on-going projects lice the Math teachers’ creative contest or CMC base schools system got their share of undivided attention. These results prove that the only way to move is fast forward – the organizers believe. Quite recently “Polyaris” launched a unique mobile mathematical laboratory. The so-called “Math cases” allow teachers to organize on site lessons with students throughout the region. The organizers are fairly certain that the technique would gain even more impressive results.

While the Olympiad participants were busy cracking mathematical problems their delegation leaders attended a number of challenging sci-pop lectures provided by the best minds our science can offer. One of them the lecturer Andrey Raygorodsky dedicated to the scientific approach of bringing together a team for the Olympiads. It all came down to an unusual math problem: “What’s the right way to encompass eighteen mathematical fields and handpick a team of six out of twenty qualified candidates at the same time?” Should the team have six or seven members, just to be sure? Every train of thought was carefully considered. After a lively – sometimes heated – discussion a solution proposed by the lector was reviewed and accepted. He suggested applying the so-called “greedy algorithm” – a formula popular with the IT crowd. Everybody agreed, however, that every mathematician is welcome to use his or her own techniques and stratagems in such cases as well as turning to the experience of others if needed.

«Mathematics and music» – is another fascinating discourse into the scientific history of mankind for many centuries past delivered today by famous mathematician Nikolay Andreev.
What is the connection between the two subjects? Here’s just one example: at the basis of regular octave lies the principle of geometrical sequence. As follows, if you are familiar enough with its properties some principles of music will be much easier to tackle. A historical component, namely chess sequence, raised some eyebrows as well. A sequence of numbers which grows rapidly yet stays constant throughout – what is it but one more example of GP?

Such practical approach and the ability to interest and involve your students are crucial components of education, believes Nikolay Andreev. It helps to illustrate mathematical formulas with real life examples to establish bond of understanding between teachers and students.