SoMaS challenge
The SoMaS Take Home Team Mathematics Challenge



About this challenge

The challenge is a take home team event that consists of a collection of interesting problems suggested by members of staff. These are challenging problems (some much more than others). You should feel proud if you can work out (part of) the solution to any of these problems. Above all, if you engage with the SoMaS challenge we want you to enjoy yourself! So, your submissions don't need to be close to complete; you are absolutely welcome to tell us anything you like about the problems that you felt were interesting or enjoyable! These observations can include, but are not restricted to, (partial) solutions, special cases, humorous remarks, and generalisations or variations of the problems. Every year, submissions delight, entertain and surprise us, and we hope that we can keep this good culture going.


This challenge is a open to all University of Sheffield undergraduates. Your teams can be large and diverse or just be. You can find the 2022-23 problems and challenge details here.

  • Email Fionntan Roukema (f.roukema@sheffield.ac.uk) to register and submit solutions before 23:59 on Thursday the 1st of December. Your email should include an (un)imaginative name for your team as well as a list of your team's members (which can be greater than or equal to one).
  • There will be a variety of awards for people who enter, including for the best overall submission, the most valuable solution to a problem, the best team name, and for honourable mentions.
  • Please submit your submissions by emailing Fionntan Roukema (f.roukema@sheffield.ac.uk) before 23:59 on Thursday the 1st of December.


Previous SoMaS Challenges by year

  • The 2021-2022 challenge page is found here.
  • The 2019-2020 challenge page is found here.
  • The 2018-2019 challenge page is found here.
  • The 2017-2018 challenge page is found here.
  • The 2016-2017 challenge page is found here.
  • The 2015-2016 challenge page is found here.
  • The 2014-2015 challenge page is found here.
  • The 2013-2014 challenge page is found here.