Ranchi, Feb. 2: Math could be fun — at least for those at the Mathematical Olympiad preliminary contest, here today.

Throughout the day, the Olympiad venue at Ranchi University mathematics postgraduate department was abuzz with mathematical jargon and experts on Boolean Algebra, Predicate Calculus, Matrices, Analysis of Algorithms, Combinatorics, Discrete Mathematics, Graph Theory and Patterson’s Theorem hogged the limelight.

Panache was writ large over his face when Suyesh Parth, an XIth standard student from Jamshedpur-based Loyola School, came out of the examination hall where he appeared for Indian National Mathematical Olympiad. Notwithstanding his second position in Jharkhand, Suyesh, who finds his ideal in renowned mathematician M. Ramanujam, wants to continue to probe into mathematics with specialised research in the field.

“Those who delve deep into mathematics find it friendly. I would like to do research in number theory and geometry,” he said.

Unlike Suyesh, Joy Bhakat from Delhi Public School (Ranchi), who secured third position, prefers to take a different route. “Mathematics is all-pervasive. There is no area of human learning where mathematics cannot be applied. You will always find a bit of mathematics everywhere,” he said.

Jharkhand topper Arpan Ghosh, another student from DPS (Ranchi), was of the opinion that mathematics is not a subject a student should fear. “Since I want to join Indian Statistical Service, mathematics is both a harbinger and an area of interest,” he said.

Toshi Prasad from DPS (Ranchi) and Anju Mahto from Jawahar Navodaya School (BIT Mesra) were the only female participants in the Olympiad.