Resource
Mathlete Competition
Find out how to use the Mathlete Competition materials with your student or child.
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.
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*
Practice Materials
Below are the practice materials mathletes can use to practice for the 2026 Mathlete Competition on May 2, 2026.
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.
* If you have difficulty downloading a BRF file, see these tips.