Math Olympics

BracketIndividualIn-Person

View Official PDF (Page 69)

Think you have what it takes for the Olympics? Earn the title of true Math Olympian in this intense battle of numbers.

Format

In-Person

Registration Guidelines

1. A limit of two (2) students from each team may register for this competition.
2. Each student competes individually. Collaboration is not permitted.

Competition Structure

Bracket Flow

flowchart TD
    subgraph PRETEST["📝 Pretest"]
        A["All Competitors"] --> B["30 Questions / 1 Hour"]
        B --> C["Top 10 Advance"]
    end
    
    subgraph CIPHER1["⚡ Ciphering Round I"]
        D["10 Questions"] --> E["2 min each"]
        E --> F["Top 5 Advance"]
    end
    
    subgraph CIPHER2["🏆 Ciphering Round II"]
        G["10 Questions"] --> H["2 min each"]
    end
    
    subgraph BONUS["🥇 Bonus Round"]
        I["Tiebreaker (if needed)"]
    end
    
    C --> D
    F --> G
    H --> I

Competition Layout

1. Pretest: 30 questions covering Geometry and Algebra, 1 hour duration.

2. Ciphering Round I: 10 questions, 2 minutes each.

   • Correct answer = 1 point
   • Speed bonuses: 1st correct = +4 pts (total 5), 2nd = +3, 3rd = +2, 4th = +1
   • Only one answer submission allowed

3. Ciphering Round II: 10 questions, 2 minutes each (same scoring).

4. Ciphering Bonus Round: Only if two or more competitors tie after Round II.

Advancement

• Top 10 from Pretest → Ciphering Round I
• Top 5 from Ciphering I → Ciphering Round II

Procedure

1. No knowledge of Calculus is required. Understanding of Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra I & II, and Statistics & Probability is sufficient.

2. Basic scientific calculators are allowed. Graphing calculators (TI-83 or higher) are NOT allowed.

3. Students receive a set of problems in different rounds. Highest points advance.

4. No ballot is provided — scoring is based solely on test performance.

5. Electronic device usage is not permitted during the competition.

Question Difficulty Levels

Level	Rating	Description	Found In
0	Easy	Foundation level	Pretest only
1	Fair	Moderate difficulty	Pretest, Ciphering I
2	Difficult	Challenging	Late Pretest, Ciphering I & II
3	Challenging	Competition-level	Ciphering II, Bonus Round

Note

The topics listed below are not comprehensive. However, there will be no calculus or beyond in difficulty.

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Study Guide

1. Geometric Formulas

Recognize and apply these formulas:

• Area and Perimeter of 2D shapes
• Number of Diagonals of 2D shapes
• Interior and exterior angles of 2D shapes
• Volume and Surface Area of 3D shapes
• Arc length formula
• Slope of Line
• Midpoint and Distance Formula
• Equation of a circle

2. Geometry

Strong understanding required:

• Find the point of intersection between two lines
• Find a line parallel/perpendicular to a given line

3. Graphing

Apply these methods:

• Graphing a function
• Determine if an equation is a function from a graph
• Identify odd or even functions

4. Algebraic Formulas and Methods

Apply these methods:

• Quadratic Formula
• Pascal’s Triangle
• Finding a quadratic equation from given points
• Factoring
• Simplifying polynomial expressions
• Simplifying expressions with radicals
• Finding max and min
• Describing the nature of the roots
• Given g(x) and f(x), find f(g(x))

5. Algebra

Strong understanding required:

• Mean, Median, and Mode
• Logarithmic functions
• Inverse functions
• Range and Domain
• Systems of equations
• Basic rate functions
• Factorials
• Inequalities
• Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series

6. Probability and Statistics

• Combination and Permutation
• Binomial Probability Formula
• Mean, median, mode and standard deviation
• Conditional probability
• Expected value
• Set Theory

7. Logic

• Puzzles
• Patterns
• Problem-solving
• Model Theory

8. Number Theory

• Divisibility rules
• Prime factorization, prime and composite numbers
• Number of and sum of divisors
• Greatest Common Divisor and Least Common Multiple
• Number bases

9. Trigonometry

• Triangles
• Similarity
• Special right triangles
• Sines, cosines, and tangents
• Pythagorean Theorem and Identities
• Law of Sines, Law of Cosines

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Practice Resources

Practice questions and study materials are available on the MIST National website: getmistified.com/rulebook