Introduction
The SMS Essay Competition began in 2007. It has a different theme every year. The objective of the competition is to expose students to various topics that are related to mathematics. Such topics could be related to the history, applications or other aspects of mathematics. We also hope to encourage articulation of mathematics through the exposition on these subjects.
| Programme: | Singapore Mathematical Society Essay Competition 2026 |
| Participants: | All students from secondary schools, JCs and international schools operating in Singapore. |
| Registration Fees: | $10 per essay entry |
| Enquiry: | Mdm. Chan Lai Chee, Dr. Tan Liang Soon, Dr. Wong Wei Pin |
| Deadlines: | Online Registration: 11th March 2026 – 10th July 2026 Payment And Online Submission Of Essays: 29th June 2026 –10th July 2026 |
Theme of the Essay
“Order Theory in the Age of Data, AI, and Computing”
- The Singapore Mathematical Society is pleased to announce the theme for this year’s Essay Competition: “Order Theory in the Age of Data, AI, and Computing.” This theme invites students to explore one of the most fundamental ideas in mathematics — order — and how it shapes the modern world of data science, artificial intelligence, and computing.
- At its core, order theory studies how things can be compared, ranked, structured, and organized. From simple notions like “greater than” and “less than” to complex hierarchies, networks, and decision systems, order plays a crucial role in how information is processed and understood. In today’s digital age, these ideas underpin many technologies, including machine learning algorithms, recommendation systems, search engines, and data classification methods.
- This theme offers students a unique opportunity to connect abstract mathematical concepts with real-world applications. Students may explore how order helps machines learn from data, how hierarchies and partial information are handled in computing, or how mathematical structures guide reasoning, optimization, and decision-making. Essays may be theoretical, applied, or interdisciplinary, and creative perspectives are strongly encouraged.