Welcome to the Surfin’Mat Competition —> Images taking part in the competition
—> Example Gallery How does the competition work?

Algebraic surfaces are produced by simple equations in three spatial coordinates x, y, z.

All points which satisfy these equations are drawn. For example, the equation x2 + y2 + z2 -1 = 0 results in a sphere.

The competition requires creativity, intuition and mathematical skill in order to create equations yourself or to change given equations to produce beautiful images. The images are easily generated with the SURFER programme. You will find the programme and a guidance manual on the SURFER-Installation-Site.

Who can take part?

Everybody is invited to take part! You can submit an entry that is just your own work, or you may like to submit a group entry ( up to 4 max.) from your class. All entries are welcome!

Competition period, selection and prizes

The competition runs from 1 June to 31 December 2014.

The images will be selected for their originality, creativity and beauty, giving preference to images related to the ocean biodiversity, the theme of the exhibition IMAGINARY – SURFIN’MAT at the Tavira Ciência Viva Science Centre.

The jury decision will be final and we will not be able to appeal.

The decision will be communicated to the winners by email and disclosed in the imaginary site, Centro Ciência Viva site and Matemática do Planeta Terra site.

Prizes to timely disclose.

Tips and links

Images that have been  created from other competitions can be seen at “Spektrum der Wissenschaft”. Expert tips can be found under: Tips to create algebraic surfaces by Prof. Greuel (pdf).

Thank you

The team of Centro Ciência Viva de Tavira would like to express its sincere gratitude to everyone who made possible this competition, and a special acknowledgment to:

- all participants, for their interest and for the quality of the images submitted;

- to all the jury members;

- to the Project  “Mathematics of Planet Earth – Portugal”;

- to the Project “Imaginary”

The jury constituted by Ana Baioa (Centro Ciência Viva de Tavira), Rita Borges (Centro Ciência Viva de Tavira), Sofia Lucas (Ciência Viva - Pavilhão do Conhecimento), Patrícia Gonçalves (Museu Municipal de Tavira) and Bianca Violet (Imaginary) evaluated all the images submitted to each of two categories (“General” and “Schools”).