EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Quick, what is 8 times 6? Easy enough? How about 14 times 30? OK, oh smart and focused reader, how about one more? What’s x in the equation 6x + 8 = - 64?

More than 200 southeastern Michigan area students will match math skills answering questions such as those and giving answers such as 48, 420 and -12 during a competition to be held Wednesday, May 29 at Eastern Michigan University.

Students from 14 area charter schools will compete in this year’s Math Facts Challenge. Cities represented include Ann Arbor, Detroit, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck, Grand Blanc, Southfield, Melvindale and Ypsilanti. This marks the sixth year of the challenge and its fifth on the Eastern Michigan campus.   

The challenge, which is sponsored by the EMU Charter Schools Office, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the EMU Student Center.

“The Math Facts Challenge creates excitement about math in the participating schools,” said Malverne Winborne, Director of the EMU Charter Schools Office. “It also introduces them to the beautiful Eastern Michigan University campus.” 

The Math Facts Challenge aims to motivate students to develop expertise in the field of mathematics, which will aid in making them college/career ready. Students in grades 1-8 will go head-to-head in a series of exciting, grade-level appropriate tasks, ranging from addition to multi-step equations.

The challenge originated at PACE Academy, an EMU charter school, under the tutelage of first grade teacher Ms. Stacy Good. After several years as a school-wide event, the competition expanded in 2014 to include other schools, and later moved to Eastern Michigan University, where it has continued to grow and flourish.

Challenge participants will have access to EMU Student Ambassadors, who can answer questions about college life.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.