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The hexagon shaped Mathlete Competition logo featuring the Project INSPIRE owl reading a math book.
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Mathlete Competition

Find out how to use the Mathlete Competition materials with your student or child.

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What is a Mathlete Competition?

The Mathlete Competition provides an opportunity for braille readers in grades 6-12 to practice their math and braille skills! There are four rounds in the Mathlete Competition. The rounds are:

  • Sprint Round: Read a problem written in words and select the correct way to braille the problem from the 3 answer choices.
  • You Solve It Round: Read and solve a math problem using the order of operations.
  • You Write It Round: Listen to a math problem being read aloud and then braille the problem.
  • Relay Round: Solve a math problem and then plug the answer into the next problem.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2025 MATHLETE COMPETITION!

What Type of Math Knowledge Does a Student Need to Have to be a Mathlete?

Junior Mathletes should be able to read, write, and solve problems in braille that contain fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, degrees, exponents, and grouping symbols. They should also be able to solve problems using what they know about the order of operations.

Senior Mathletes should be proficient with all of the Junior Mathlete content. In addition, they should be able to read, write, and solve longer problems in braille that may contain radicals, absolute value, negative numbers, and geometry.

Take a look at the sample problems to see if Project INSPIRE’S Mathlete Competition is a good fit for the potential mathlete.

Nemeth Sample Problems PDF BRF

UEB Math Sample Problems PDF BRF

Junior Mathlete Practice Materials and Answer Keys

After the Practice Session on April 26, 2025 we will post both the practice problems and answer keys for mathletes to use as they prepare for our May 10 competition.

Senior Mathlete Practice Materials and Answer Keys

After the Practice Session on April 26, 2025 we will post both the practice problems and answer keys for mathletes to use as they prepare for our May 10 competition.

2024 Awards Ceremony

During the May 18, 2024 award ceremony, Campbell Rutherford, a braille reader who is attending Harvard and studying applied mathematics, shared her experiences with mathletes and their families. Enjoy this short video from her presentation.