Bluffton University's mathematics department will host its ninth annual mathematics competition for high school students on Saturday, Oct. 30, in Stutzman Lecture Hall in Centennial Hall. The event, which is free, is being held in conjunction with Family Day at the university.

The test, which begins at 9:45 a.m., includes only short-answer questions covering high school math topics through precalculus. Cash prizes will be awarded, and test scores of seniors considering Bluffton may be used to award renewable scholarships of up to $1,000 per year. Scholarship awards will be offered by January 2011.

Teachers need not accompany students, but activities will be available for teachers, as well as parents, during the test. Visitors may then attend a math presentation at 11 a.m., followed by a free lunch at 11:45 a.m. and optional activities after lunch, including a campus tour and a Bluffton football game against Hanover at 1:30 p.m.

Each high school may register up to 16 students, but registration will be limited to the first 100 students. Registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 25. Students may register online, and find previous contests, answers and solutions, by visiting http://www.bluffton.edu/mcst/contest/.

For more information, contact Duane Bollenbacher at 419-358-3296 or [email protected].