Mercer University
High School Mathematics Competition
Format and Participants

Each school is invited to bring a minimum of four and a maximum of eight participants. All students from each school will complete a 90-minute written examination beginning at 10:00 a.m. The four highest scores by participants from each school will constitute the team score for that school on the written examination. Four members from each school will participate in ciphering matches during the afternoon to earn points to add to the team score. The students who cipher should be designated by the team sponsor during registration; they are not required to be the same four whose scores constitute the team's written score.

Written Examination

The written examination will be a 45-question, multiple-choice examination. It will cover the areas of sets, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and analytic geometry with a small sampling of questions from the areas of probability, statistics, logic, and calculus. Students may use calculators during this examination. Note: Permissible calculators include scientific calculators and graphing calculators such as the TI-83 or 84. Machines with a symbolic manipulation system such as the TI-89 will not be allowed. If you have a question about a student's calculator, ask.

Ciphering

The ciphering matches require participants to solve problems in a race against time. Calculators are not allowed during ciphering. Four members of each school will cipher, and there will be ten ciphering questions. Each team member who submits a correct answer to a question during the first minute will receive ten (10) points to be added to the team score, each team member who submits a correct answer to a question during the second minute will receive five (5) points to be added to the team score, and no answers will be accepted after two minutes. Thus a total of 400 possible ciphering points may be added to the team score after the scores on the written examination.

Awards

The final score for a team will consist of the sum of the four highest examination scores acquired by team members and the points acquired during the ciphering match. Trophies will be awarded to the teams with the three highest final scores. Awards will also be made to the individuals with the three highest scores on the written examination. In addition, the highest scoring individual on the ciphering contest will be acknowledged with an award of a book.

Registration Fees

There will be a registration fee of $30.00 per school. Please forward the fee with your registration form; include the name of your school. Checks should be made payable to "Mercer University".