2020 UMO – Problems and Solutions
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2020 UMO! Due to COVID-19, this was the first time the UMO was distributed online. We thank the proctors who volunteered for each student for making everything run smoothly. Here are the problems and solutions:
We usually post results 1-2 weeks after the contest finishes. Stay tuned!
Dates, Location & Registration
If you would like to be notified of details of future contests, sign up for our contact list. We send only a few emails a year.
Format & Scoring
The Utah Math Olympiad is a 3-hour test with 6 questions designed to test a student’s creativity and ability to form a rigorous mathematical proof. We favor questions that are interesting, elegant, and accessible. However, they are also designed to be very challenging, and they generally increase in difficulty from problem 1 to problem 6. In order to get credit for a problem, a student must write a convincing argument that proves their answer. This is not the same as merely showing one’s work, nor is it the same as explaining every step in great detail.
Each problem is worth 7 points, for 42 points possible. Partial credit is awarded for significant progress toward a correct solution. We take great effort to assign scores appropriately and consistently. While no grading scheme is infallible, decisions of the graders will be final.
Previous contests are available on the Problems and Solutions page.
Eligibility
Any Utah student who has not completed 12th grade and is 19 years old or younger is eligible to participate.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the top five scorers. Prize denominations will depend on ties and the amount of money available. See the results page using the link above to see previous years’ prizes.