What is SMAC?

What is the point of learning math?

Middle school math curriculum–and even competition math (think AMC, MATHCOUNTS…)–is filled with memorizing formula and solving problems that often seem entirely abstract. As such, learning math is frequently seen as a pointless task for many kids.

However, in our own high school careers, being exposed to the beauty of higher math and seeing the subject being applied everywhere in our lives has helped us realize: it isn’t math itself that is boring, it is the way it has been introduced. Hence, with the Skyline Mathematical Applications Contest (SMAC), we’ve taken a different approach:

The SMAC’s questions focus on introducing math’s real-world applications, using previously abstract concepts and applying them to everything from engineering/physics to buying the best-valued donut. Much like the problem sets found in college math, competitors will discover and derive new concepts and learn new things, rather than being simply told that these concepts exist. Of course, with the engaging competition format and a healthy dose of humor sprinkled throughout our questions, our ultimate hope is that students have fun and learn that there is a point to learning math.

Interested in registering? Our contest this year will be held on Friday, February 14! Use the link at the side or top (for mobile users) of this website to fill out a form. All other information and updates will then be communicated to you via email. Please note that this competition is entirely individual, no need to form teams!

Past Questions and Answers

Our 2024 contest happened on February 16th, 2024. Attached are a complete set of questions and answer key.

Multiple choice:

Numerical response:

Triple Jump round 1:

Triple Jump round 2:

Answer key (all rounds):

Competition Format

The SMAC will have 4 rounds. A detailed description of each round is found below, along with how the competition will be scored and who we will be awarding. Students may use scratch paper for all parts of the contest only if it is provided by SMAC organizers. No calculators will be allowed in any part of the test.

Multiple Choice

• Qualification: All Students

• Question Type: 30 multiple choice questions

• Time Limit: 40 Minutes

• Point System:

  • 10 Easy Questions

    • 3 points per correct answer; 4 answer choices each

  • 10 Medium Questions

    • 4 points per correct answer; 5 answer choices each

  • 10 Hard Questions

    • 5 points per correct answer; 6 answer choices each

  • 1 point for blank responses and 0 points for incorrect responses

• Total Points = 0.75 * Raw Score
• Total Points: 90 Points

Numerical Response

• Qualification: All Students

• Question Type: 5 numerical responses between 000 and 999 inclusive

• Time Limit: 20 Minutes

• Point System:

  • 10 points per correct answer

  • 0 points for blank or incorrect responses

• Total Points: 50 Points

Investigative Question

• Qualification: All Students

• Question Type: Real-life scenario broken into a multi-step problem to be answered in written and numerical reponses

• Time Limit: 30 minutes

• Point System:

  • Six total responses for the scenario, each awarding a maximum of 10 points

  • Responses are graded based on correct answers as well as work shown

  • Partial credit can be earned even with an incorrect answer

• Total Points: 60 Points in total

College Bowl

• Qualification: Top 3 scorers from each grade based on sum of scores from the above rounds

  • Ties are broken in the order of rounds below:

    • Multiple Choice score

    • Numerical Response score

    • Triple Jump score

• Question Type: Integer answers

• Format:

  • Qualifiers from each grade will compete with a different set of questions

  • Each question will be read twice with up to 40 seconds given per question after the second read

  • Students may raise their hand to answer the question at anytime, but one student may only answer once per question

  • 1 point per correct answer

  • No penalty per incorrect answer

  • At least 4 questions will be given per grade level; ties will be broken by a 5th question

• Note:

  • College bowl prizes will be given separately from individual prizes
  • College bowl scores do not affect individual scores accumulated from previous rounds

Contact

Email: shmathclub@gmail.com

Instagram: @shsmathclub