UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College is hosting a math competition for local students through the 10th grade, to be held at the college on Feb. 5, 2013.

The competition, known as AMC 10, is open to Lake or Mendocino County students under 17.5 years of age who are not enrolled in grades 11, 12, or the equivalent.

The contest is given over a 75-minute interval and is 25 questions in length.

The registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 25, 2013.

Forms have been sent to all area middle and high schools and may also be obtained by contacting Leslie Banta, assistant professor of mathematics, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The entrance fee is $5 per participant and can be waived for financial reasons by contacting Professor Banta.

In addition to the 75-minute competition, Mendocino College math faculty will offer activities and a brief campus tour while the entries are being reviewed. Afterwards, prizes will be awarded to the top-scoring students.

Banta spearheaded organization of the contest because she originally taught at the high school level and noticed the lack of local math competitions.

“Mendocino College is interested in reaching out to the larger math communities in middle and high schools, and this is a good opportunity for future college students to visit the campus,” she stated. “I hope that students from all over Lake and Mendocino Counties will take part, either as individuals or as groups.”

The AMC10 covers mathematics normally associated with grades nine and 10. The contest is intended for everyone from the average student at a typical school who enjoys mathematics to the very best student at the most challenging of schools.

The AMC 10 is the first in the series of competitions leading to the USA Team at the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Students who rank in the top 25 percent nationally will qualify for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME).

The USA Mathematical Olympiad and the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad qualifiers are selected from the top performing students on the AIME.