ARML

The American Regions Math League (ARML) is a national high school math contest offered at three sites around the U.S.: Penn State, University of Iowa, and San Jose State University. Unofficially labeled as the World Series of high school mathematics, ARML challenges over 2000 of the nation's best math students with innovative problems.

ARML provides not only a high quality competition for mathematically inclined students, but also a unique opportunity to socialize with other similarly minded students over the course of the two day event.

Advanced high school students (and the occasional exceptionally advanced middle school student), usually with experience in precalculus and beyond, will find the ARML to be both challenging and entertaining. Problem solving experience in areas such as Algebra I & II, probability, geometry, and number theory is essential for exceptional performance.

Students compete for both team prizes in either Division A or B and individual awards. Teams consist of 15 members. Students work alone on the Individual Round and as a team during the Team and Power Rounds. The Relay is performed by groups of 3 students from the same team.

The Individual Round consists of four pairs of questions handed out to students on slips of paper. Ten minutes is allotted to each set, and the sets are traditionally ordered in increasing difficulty. In the Team Round, all 15 members collaborate to answer 10 short answer questions over the course of 20 minutes. The Power Round is similarly solved by the entire team and consists of 10 proof oriented questions to be answered within the span of an hour. Finally, each team is divided into five groups of three for each of two Relays, in which the last two students solve problems that involve a designated variable equal to the correct response of the teammate before them. The third answer only is graded (if turned in before the six minute time limit), and a correct response receives twice as many points if turned in early (before three minutes is up). Calculators are permitted on the Team and Power Rounds only.

ARML also runs a yearly team problem solving contest known as the ARML Power Contest. The ARML Power Contest is designed to help students learn to explore highly challenging mathematical concepts that would be difficult to quickly tackle as individuals.

Resources for ARML Students

The Art of Problem Solving Volumes 1&2 are textbooks designed to help students who enjoy a comprehensive curriculum of challenging mathematics and problem solving and want to excel in their understanding of the concepts and methods. The authors are both veterans of ARML and one now serves on its board. Order information can be found here. AoPS now publishes in depth subject oriented textbooks for talented problems solvers interested in delving deeper into a modern mathematics curriculum! These new books can also be found on the order page linked above.

Art of Problem Solving also offers a number of courses that help students gain a foothold on the curriculum and techniques tested at ARML and other math contests. Our course selection is broad and includes levels for students all the way from those who are just learning to solve some ARML problems (Introductory) up to those who can wade through an entire power question given enough time (Olympiad). Interested students, parents, and teachers can view enrollment information to these courses here.

There are three ARML problem books, though the first may be out of print. Currently available is ARML-NYSML 1989-1994 by Zimmerman and Kessler as well as a book by Barry and Kilkelly for the years 1995-2003.

If you have any questions about our programs, email us at classes@artofproblemsolving.com.