UNAIR NEWS – Jefferson Caesario’s determination to win again the International Mathematics Competition(IMC)championship inBulgaria has finally showed result.After last year successfully won bronze medal, this year Jefferson gain reputation for Airlangga by bringing home silver medal.
IMC is a regular competition followed by Ministry of Research Technology and Higher Education (Kemenristek Dikti) Republic of Indonesia.Every year, Kemenristek Dikti sends nine best students coming from various universities.
Jefferson is one of nine students who passed the selection.Previously, the selection was attended by 20 participants of National Olympiad of Mathematics and Science (ON-MIPA) and the champion of National Science Olympiad (OSN) Pertamina.As the one who won the first place of OSN Pertamina in 2015, and was once a delegation of IMC in 2016, then from July 31-August 6, 2017 and Jefferson also participated in Bulgaria to follow IMC 2017 competition.
Great Competition
In this competition, there are 300 participants from more than 60 countries.For two days the participants completed five math problems within five hours.In the midst of a fairly tight competition, Jefferson finally managed to take the second place after Stephen Sanjaya of the University of Pelita Harapan.
When met, Jefferson seemed happy to share his experience during the IMC competition.For him the process of winning the championship that is memorable.
“Before leaving I was pessimistic.Because I was too busy with my study and I didn檛 have time for practice, I could practice effectively in the training camp.During the quarantine, my score was the lowest, “he said.
A few days before leaving for Bulgaria, Jeff was even called his parents, and shared his anxiety.His mother then calmed him down.
“If God wants you to win, you will.Just try as best as possible, “he said mimicking the words of his mother.Hearing that, Jefferson’s spirit and conviction came back.
Solve the questions
The IMC competition lasts for two days.Each participant is required to complete five math problems within five hours.Despite having participated in the same competition before, but Jeff felt this time the level of difficulty of the material tested was more complicated.Even from the five questions presented, it was not at all the kind of math he mastered.
“Math Olympiad materialshave many types, such as combinatorics, number theory, analysis of real numbers, to the analysis of complex numbers.The most I mastered since high school only combinatorics and number theory, I learned by self-taught the rest.It turned out that during the competition, the field that I master did not appear, that’s what made medown, “he said.
What then just give up?Of course not.Jeff apparently chose to survive, while continuing solving the problems and pray silently.
“Under such stressful conditions, I keep trying to motivate myself.I throw away all negative thoughts, and always say I can, “he said.
One by one the issues are answered.Until the end remains one key question that he deemed most difficult to work on.
“I almost gave up in the last hour.It was at this moment that I prayed a lot.If I give up on this one, it means I’ll probably just come back with a bronze, “he said.
Anxiety felt by Jeff at that time might also be felt by hundreds of other participants.When all the participants focus on the problem, their minds also rage against stress and fear.Luckily Jeff still had confidence.At that moment, the power of prayer brought miracles in the last five minutes.
“After repeatedly praying, and really asking God for help, I finally closed my prayer by saying ‘amen’.Suddenly there was a mathematical formula in my brain.I then tried to prove the formula, and found the answer, “he recalled.
The five questions were eventually resolved, including a key question that could ultimately lead him to get the second highest score in the competition.
A hobby that continues to be honed
Participating the mathematics olympiad competition can be an unusual thing done by a medical student.Had it not been for a hobby of ‘devouring’ math problems since elementary school, Jeff might not have the guts to compete in the Olympiad.
“It檚 rare for participants from medical students.Most of them are students of Engineering and Science Department.Thankful I can compete with them, “he said.
From elementary to high school, Jeff often won the mathematics olympiad championship.Practicing self-taught math problems has become a habit for a long time.In his spare time, even when he did not prepare for the competition, Jeff keeps honing his left brain skills by doing mathematical problems.He also joined the OSN math group to enrich the experience and reference mathematical problems.
When it becomes a hobby, something seen undesirable can be something special to do.It is math for him.When some regard this lesson as a dull subject, Jeff actually feels that math is an addictive lesson.
“Math is actually fun and challenging.Because we are required to think critically to find the answer, “he explained.
The man born March 13, 1997 was even considered practicing the left brain through mathematics able to form a more orderly mindset.He is accustomed to solve the problem by using the formula or the most effective way.For that reason, Jeff then called mathematics as the art of problem solving.(*)
Author: Sefya Hayu
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
