Journal of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association
Volume 41 Issue 2, June 2004
20 – 22
An E-Conversation with a Math Olympian
Robert Wong
Recently, MCATA asked me to do a write-up on Robert Barrington Leigh, a medal winner in both the 2003 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and the 2003 International Physics Olympiad. Two questions came to mind: Where is Robert Barrington Leigh? and, What can I ask him that various news media haven’t already asked? With Andy Liu’s help, I was able to find the whereabouts of the famous Edmontonian: Robert is now in his first year of study of mathematics at the University of Toronto. A face-to-face conversation with him would have been difficult, so e-mail it was. I thought it would be best if I asked questions from a student perspective. After brainstorming with my students and collaborating with Shauna Boyce, MCATA publications director, I came up with a set of questions. What follows is my e-mail conversation with Robert Barrington Leigh.