Math-a-thon Relay

Grade Level: Grades 9 and 10

Description

The Math-a-thon Relay celebrates teamwork, creativity, and the excitement of collaborative problem-solving. In this dynamic challenge, teams join forces to tackle a series of interconnected math problems—where each solution can help unlock the next and every quick breakthrough helps the whole team move forward. With every member contributing their unique strengths, success is built on encouragement, communication, and shared determination as teams cheer each other. The focus of the topics of the problems will be on geometry, number theory and logic.

Participants

Teams of three.

Rules

  • Problems are released one by one every five minutes. If a team submits an answer early, they may receive the next problem without waiting for the full interval.
  • Each problem is worth 3–10 points. Partial credit may be awarded if noted on the problem.
  • Teams earn 1 bonus point for each minute remaining if all problems are completed before the time limit.
  • The answer to a previous problem might be needed to solve the next problem.

Judging

At the end of 10 min. the sheets will be collected and quickly marked for the best score.

Topics

  • Geometry: angles, triangles, circles, coordinate geometry, and solid geometry
  • Number sense: prime factorization, exponents, and digits
  • Logic and puzzles

FAQ

Are electronic devices allowed?

Calculators, cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed.

Topics and preparation:

  • Basics of plane: Points, lines, line segments, rays, parallel and perpendicular lines
  • Angles: drawing angles, types of angles, complementary and supplementary angles, opposite angles, transversals with corresponding, alternate, and interior angles.
  • Triangles: Types of triangles, properties, congruence and similarity, triangle inequalities, Pythagorean Theorem, special triangles (30-60-90, 45-45-90).
  • Circles: Parts (center, radius, diameter, chord, secant, tangent, arc, sector), circumference, area, central angles, inscribed angles, arc length, properties of tangents.
  • Polygons and other figures: Perimeter and area of squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids, and other polygons, interior and exterior angle sums in polygons, area of composite (combined) figures, perimeter and area word problems.
  • Number Theory: Divisors (factors of a number), multiples, prime numbers, composite numbers, prime factorization (prime number decomposition), greatest common divisor (GCD), least common multiple (LCM), divisibility rules.
  • Combinatorics and Counting: Basic counting principles (addition and multiplication rules), factorial notation, permutations, combinations, simple arrangements and selections, counting outcomes in real-life problems.
  • Logic and deductions: Logic puzzles and riddles, truth-teller/liar problems, logic grid puzzles, sequence logic, deduction and inference, if-then statements, converses and contrapositives, basic proofs and reasoning.
  • Number and Pattern Puzzles: Puzzles involving number sequences, mathematical patterns, divisibility, remainders, cryptarithms, magic squares, and pattern recognition.
  • Spatial and visual puzzles: Geometry-based challenges (counting shapes), tangrams, matchstick problems, visual logic games, visualization of 3D objects, surface area and volume puzzles for cubes, cylinders, and other prisms.