Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) will host its 44th annual Jay Cliett and Bill Kipp High School Mathematics Tournament (formerly the High School Mathematics Tournament) on Friday, Feb. 9. Over 500 students from across the state are expected to travel to Americus for the tournament.

This year’s event will be the first named in honor of Professor Emeritus Bill Kipp, Ph.D., and the late Professor Emeritus Jay Cliett, Ph.D. Both Kipp and Cliett have been instrumental to the success of the tournament since its inception in 1974. 

Team and individual awards will be given to schools in GHSA (Georgia High School Association) classifications and to schools in GISA (Georgia Independent Schools Association) classifications from around the state. 

Students will first complete a 90-minute written exam consisting of 40 multiple choice questions covering the areas of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry and a miscellaneous category with questions that could come from the areas of probability, statistics, logic and “puzzle” problems. The four highest scores by participants from each school will constitute the team score for that school on the written examination. Four members from each school will participate in ciphering matches during the afternoon to earn points to add to the team score.

The final score for a team will consist of the sum of the four highest examination scores acquired by team members and the ciphering points acquired during the ciphering match. In each classification, first place, second place and third place trophies will be awarded. Awards will also be presented to the three individuals in each classification with the highest scores on the written examination.

The annual GSW Junior Mathematics Tournament, for students in grades 3 through 8, will take place Saturday, March 3 at GSW.

The event is coordinated by GSW’s Department of Mathematics. For more information, call Kailash Ghimire, Ph.D. at (229) 931-7350.