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The University of Tennessee




Fundamental
Exams of
Remarkable
Mathematical
Ability and
Talent
FERMAT (Fundamental Exams of Remarkable Mathematical Ability and Talent) is the two-stage individual competition of the contest. All contest participants begin the day by completing a one-hour multiple-choice exam called FERMAT I, which is then machine graded. The participants who score in the top 50 on FERMAT I advance to the second stage of the competition, FERMAT II, after lunch. FERMAT II consists of essay-type mathematical problems which demand uncommon creativity and originality in their solutions. These exams are hand-graded by members of the Mathematics Department faculty. All questions and problems assume preparation in Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry.

AWARDS

Immediately following the championship round of the Math Bowl (about 4:00 p.m.), awards for FERMAT I and II are presented as follows:

  • Engraved Plaques to students who score in the top 5 on FERMAT I,
  • Engraved Plaques and four-year, in-state tuition and fees scholarships of $4,000 a year to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to students who score in the top 10 on FERMAT II.

Previous winners of scholarships may compete again, but they will not deprive another participant of a scholarship. Certificates of Participation for each student, and Certificates of Merit for the top 50 finalists of FERMAT I are mailed to each school along with statistical results of the exams.
Previous exams are provided below. (Solutions are not posted - ask your Math teacher for help with these!)

Fermat I 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 [2010]
[key]		 [2011]
[key]		 [2012]
[key]
Fermat II 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
The above links require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader,
updated: May 6th 2013