A 15-year-old Dundee whiz-kid who scored 100% in Advanced Higher maths has become the youngest pupil in Scotland to be honoured by a mathematical governing body.
Grove Academy pupil Agnijo Banerjee scored full marks in the exam while in third year, despite the test being aimed at sixth-year pupils.
The schoolboy hopes his astonishing feat will act as a springboard to a long and fruitful career in mathematical research.
Now the Broughty Ferry boy, who has previously been labelled as “a genius”, has been toasted at a glitzy event held to recognise Scotland’s most gifted young mathematicians.
Agnijo who made waves in 2013 when, at the age of 12, it emerged he had the same IQ level as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking was invited to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries annual awards ceremony for school pupils who score the highest marks in their Advanced Higher maths exams.
Speaking after his latest achievement, an elated Agnijo told The Courier that he was honoured to be in the same room as some of the most senior figures from the financial and mathematical world.
He said: “It was amazing to realise that I was there with all these great people who have made such great achievements in their fields.
“I’m still very focused on pure mathematics, but it has made me think a bit about actuary as a profession.
“I didn’t really feel nervous when I was on stage, I was quite focused.
“I have considered working in actuary in the future, but so far they haven’t succeeded in persuading me.”
The mathematical prodigy now intends to undertake more Advanced Highers before taking on the world in the Mathematical Olympiad the world championship maths competition for high school students.
Agnijo said: “I would like to enter the British Mathematical Olympiad and eventually compete in the International Olympiad.
“You have to do very well and pass a lot of tests to be selected, but I would like to take on the world.”
His delighted dad, Subhayu, said: “There were six children involved but Agnijo was the youngest.
“We were of course proud, but Agnijo always makes us proud. Fingers crossed he can carry on.
“His heart lies in pure mathematics, but some people involved in statistics did try to hijack him.
“The last three years many people especially in Scottish maths circles have gotten to know him.
“Agnijo likes computer gaming as well, it’s his second passion. At the moment he is still thinking about pure maths research, but he may well go into computer gaming in the future.”