THE HARDEST MATH PROBLEM
CONTEST

Energize students’ perceptions of math with fun, challenging story problems that combine math reasoning skills with writing.

Grades 6–8

ENTER CHALLENGE 2 PRIZES PRACTICE
MATH ARGUMENTS PAST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS SURVEY

ABOUT THE CONTEST

The Hardest Math Problem Student Contest is an annual competition presented by Scholastic, The Actuarial Foundation, and the New York Life Foundation that challenges grades 6–8 students to solve multistep, grade-appropriate math problems with real-world situations and engaging characters. Plus, 5th graders are eligible to participate by reaching to a higher grade level!

Get Ready for Challenge 2

January 31, 2022–March 21, 2022
Challenge 1 has now closed! Thanks and good luck to all those who submitted an entry. Results from Challenge 1 and student eligibility for Challenge 2 will be announced on or around January 31, 2022.

New Digital Math Tool

Your students can practice percentages, decimals, area, and equations with our new Ecosystem Emergency digital tool in our Math Workshop.

VISIT MATH WORKSHOP

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Practice Math Arguments

Sharpen students’ skills with resources about writing clear, concise explanations of math reasoning.

LESSON AND ACTIVITY

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INTERACTIVE TOOL

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Teachers
can win
$500!

Students
can win
$5,000 for
college!

Teachers
can win
$500!

Challenge 1 Complete

Challenge 1

Open to All

September 15–December 2, 2021

The teacher of every student who provides a mathematically correct answer to Challenge 1 will receive an invitation to compete in Challenge 2 with an even more difficult problem.

Optional: Entries may include a written argument as practice for the math reasoning and writing that is required for Challenge 2!

Teacher Prizes:

Teachers who submit at least 3 eligible entries will be entered into a random drawing for the chance to win one of three $500 gift cards!

Students
can win
$5,000 for
college!

Challenge 2

By Invitation to Challenge 1 Winners

January 31–March 21, 2022

Entries must contain a mathematically correct answer and a compelling written explanation of their reasoning to be eligible for the Grand Prize!

Correct entries are judged by a panel of teachers and actuaries to determine the strongest written argument and award prizes.

3 Grand Prize Winners (one per question) Student: $5,000 for a 529 college savings plan, plus a laptop!

Teacher: $500 gift card
3 Runner-Up Winners (one per question) Student: A tablet computer!

An Extra Challenge Reach Above Grade Level!

Teachers may invite their students to take an extra challenge and complete problems at either their current grade level or above. Teachers may submit one entry per question their students are grade-eligible to answer. For example, a 5th grader may complete up to three problems, one each at the grade 6, 7, and 8 levels.

Past Questions and Answer Keys

Check your students’ work from this year’s contest or assign past contest questions to practice for the future!

2018 CHALLENGE 1 CHALLENGE 2

2019 CHALLENGE 1 CHALLENGE 2

2020 CHALLENGE 1 CHALLENGE 2

2021 CHALLENGE 1 CHALLENGE 2

Real-World Math

Actuaries are experts in:
Evaluating the likelihood of future events—using numbers, not crystal balls.
Designing creative ways to reduce the likelihood of undesirable events.
Decreasing the impact of undesirable events that do occur.

Actuaries are the leading professionals in ﬁnding ways to manage risk. It takes a combination of strong analytical skills, business knowledge, and understanding of human behavior to manage today’s complex risks facing our society.

More Contest Information

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Teachers and Parents:
Chance to Win a $50 Gift Card!

Tell us what you think of the Hardest Math Problem Student Contest.

TAKE SURVEY

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Fully completed surveys must be received by 5/10/22 in order to be eligible to receive $50 worth of American Express gift cards. Five (5) winners will be selected at random from among all eligible surveys received. Promotion is open only to survey recipients age 18 or older who teach grades 5–8 or are the parent or legal guardian of a child in grades 5–8, who are residents of the United States (one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia), and who have reviewed the Hardest Math Problem program. See Official Rules: scholastic.com/snpsurveyrules100.

Explore more free educational resources at Scholastic’s Extra Credit.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. 50 US, DC, and US territories. Open to grs. 5-8 students. Students may enter by answering at least one question at or above their current grade level. For each problem submitted, only one answer may be submitted. Entries must be submitted by the student’s teacher or parent/guardian, 18+. Teachers or parents/guardians submit entries online at scholastic.com/hardestmathcontest, by email at hardestmathproblem@scholastic.com or by mail: Scholastic Inc., The Hardest Math Contest, ATTN: SNP, Space 3-226, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Challenge 1: Entry period: 12:01 a.m. ET on 9/15/21 to 11:59 p.m. ET on 12/2/21. Mailed entries: postmarked by 12/2/21, and rec’d by 12/16/21. Three teachers who submit at least three eligible student entries (except as set forth in Official Rules) will each receive a $500 gift card. Challenge 2: Open to grs. 5-8 students who answered correctly in Challenge 1. Teachers or parents of eligible students will be notified on or around 1/31/22. Entry period: 12:01 a.m. ET on 1/31/22 to 11:59 p.m. ET on 3/21/22. Mailed entries: postmarked by 3/21/22, and rec’d by 4/1/22. Three (3) Grand Prize Winning students, one from each of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade problems, will each receive a laptop computer with Microsoft Office Home and Student Office products (ARV $550) and a $5,000 contribution to a 529 plan (a college savings account) (ARV $5,000). The three teachers who submitted the entries of the Grand Prize Winners will each receive a $500 American Express gift card for classroom use (ARV $500). Three (3) Runner-Up winning students, one from each of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade problems, will each receive a tablet computer, which does not include a data plan (ARV $125). Official Rules: scholastic.com/hardestmathcontest/rules. Void where prohibited.

Background photo: filo/iStock

THE HARDEST MATH PROBLEM CONTEST