A pair of squares were outlined in black on the dry-erase board. The first student took the blue marker and identified several right triangles, as the MathCounts problem had asked.
When he was stuck, he passed the pen to another student who found the next set of right triangles.
In total, the group of 20-plus seventh- and eighth-graders at Immaculate Conception School defined 14 right triangles within the square pair.
That was one of several math problems the Immaculate Conception MathCounts club worked out Thursday in preparation for today's regional competition at St. Peter Interparish School.
Eight students will represent the school against students from Jefferson City Home Educators, Osage Middle School, St. Joseph Cathedral School, St. Peter Interparish School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School.