The Canadian Mathematical OlympiadCanadian Mathematical Olympiad (CMO) official web site (CMO) is Canada's top mathematical problem-solving competition. It is run by the Canadian Mathematical Society. The Olympiad plays several roles in Canadian mathematics competitions, most notably being Canada's main team selection process for the International Mathematical Olympiad.

Qualification Approximately 70–80 people qualify for and are invited to write the CMO each year. Students must not have written the Putnam Competition and must meet age, full-time school enrollment, and Canadian Citizenship (or permanent residency) requirements. Students do not have to be living in Canada, as long as they are Canadian citizens.

Participants are invited to write the CMO usually because of excellent results at the Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC).Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC) official web site Approximately the top 50 students from the COMC earn invitations to the CMO. A Qualifying RepêchageCMO Qualifying Repêchage (CMOQR) official web site (CMOQR) is offered as a "second chance" for the next highest 50–75 students from the COMC. Approximately 20–25 students are chosen from the Repêchage and are then invited to the CMO.

Top students in certain other top Canadian competitions may also be considered for invitations. The organizing committee may also invite participants based on their earlier CMO experience or their performance at APMO or USAMO competitions.

Competition Layout The competition is three hours long. There are five questions on the CMO, each worth seven marks, for a total of 35 points. Each problem is graded the same way as it is on the IMO.

From 1969 to 1972, the CMO was ten questions long. In the 1970s, the exam length changed a number of times before finally stabilizing to five questions in 1979.

The CMS does not formally disclose its marking procedure, however in the past the following model was used: Two graders grade the questions. If there is a dispute between the graders by more than one point, they will reconsider the problem until a consensus is reached. If no work was done or very insignificant progress was made, the answer is graded zero. If significant progress is made, marks of 1, 2, or 3 will be given, depending on the amount progress toward solving the problem. Marks of 4 or 5 are given for answers that are essentially correct, but are poorly presented or lack showing of work in some areas. If the solution has a minor error that can be trivially fixed, it is given a 6. An absolutely perfect solution is awarded a mark of 7. This might be given if there is an error in the writing that does not affect the solution in any meaningful way.

Awards There are several different types of rewards for doing well on the CMO:

Six to eight of the top CMO participants are selected each year for Math Team CanadaMath Team Canada official web site. They are trained and sent to represent Canada at the International Mathematical Olympiad, the pinnacle of high school mathematical competition. For students who write in Canada, cash prizes are awarded to the top performers. If there are no "ties", then $2000 goes to 1st place, $1500 to 2nd, $1000 to 3rd, and $500 for Honourable Mention (typically there are up to six people receiving Honourable Mention). When there are ties, prize money is pooled upwards (e.g. a tie for first means the co-winners share $3500 and no one gets "2nd"). The top student in Canada is recognized as the CMO Champion and his or her name is engraved on the CMO Championship Cup. Top students are identified on the official web site to certify their high performance

Winners

YearWinnerCitySchool2024Warren BeiWest Vancouver, BCRockridge Secondary School2023Warren BeiWest Vancouver, BCRockridge Secondary School2022Zixiang ZhouLondon, ONLondon Central Secondary School2021Warren BeiVancouver, BCHomeschooled2020Thomas GuoExeter, NHPhillips Exeter Academy2019William ZhaoRichmond Hill, ONRichmond Hill High School2018Victor RongToronto, ONMarc Garneau Collegiate Institute2017Thomas GuoMarkham, ONWilliam Berczy Public School2016Kai SunLondon, ONA.B. Lucas Secondary School2015Alexander WhatleySpring, TXNorth Houston Academy of Science and Mathematics2014Zhuoqun (Alex) SongExeter, NHPhillips Exeter Academy2013Calvin DengCary, NCNC School of Science & Math2012Calvin DengCary, NCNC School of Science & Math2011Mariya SardarliEdmonton, ABStrathcona Composite High School2010Alex SongWindsor, ONVincent Massey Secondary School2009 Jonathan Schneider Toronto, ON University of Toronto Schools2008 Chen Sun London, ON A.B. Lucas Secondary School2007 Yan Li Scarborough, ON Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute2006 Dong Uk (David) Rhee Edmonton, AB McNally Composite High School2005 Peng Shi Agincourt, ON Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute2004 Yufei Zhao Don Mills, ON Don Mills Collegiate Institute2003 János Kramár Toronto, ON University of Toronto Schools2002 Tianyi Han Toronto, ON Woburn Collegiate Institute2001 Daniel Brox West Vancouver, BC Sentinel Secondary School2000 Daniel Brox West Vancouver, BC Sentinel Secondary School1999 Jimmy Chui North York, ON Earl Haig Secondary School1998 Adrian Chan Toronto, ON Upper Canada College1997 Sabin Cautis North York, ON Earl Haig Secondary School1996 Byung-Kyu Chun Edmonton, AB Harry Ainlay Composite High School1995 Donny Cheung Winnipeg, MB St. John's-Ravenscourt School1994 Kevin Purbhoo Toronto, ON Northern Secondary School1993 Naoki Sato Toronto, ON University of Toronto Schools1992 J.P. Grossman Toronto, ON Northern Secondary School1991 Ian Goldberg (tie)Toronto, ON University of Toronto Schools J.P. Grossman (tie)Toronto, ON Northern Secondary School1990 J.P. Grossman Toronto, ON Northern Secondary School1989 Eli Michael Lapell Scarborough, ON Woburn Collegiate Institute1988 Gurraj Sangha Windsor, ON Hon.W.C. Kennedy Collegiate Institute1987 Ravi D. VakilEtobicoke, ON Martingrove Collegiate Institute1986 Ravi D. Vakil Etobicoke, ON Martingrove Collegiate Institute1985 Minh Tue Vo Montréal, QC École Secondaire St-Luc1984 Minh Tue Vo Montréal, QC École Secondaire St-Luc1983 William James Rucklidge Toronto, ON Toronto French School1982 Alastair Rucklidge Toronto, ON Toronto French School1981 David W. Ash Thunder Bay, ON Fort William Collegiate Institute1980 John J. Chew, IIIToronto, ON University of Toronto Schools1979 W. Ross BrownGloucester, ON Ashbury College1978 Michael Albert Penetanguishene, ON Penetanguishene Secondary School1977 Igor RivinWindsor, ON Vincent Massey Secondary School1976 Rajiv Gupta Thunder Bay, ON Sir Winston Churchill C.V.I.1975 Patrick Smith (tie)Montreal, QC Monkland High School James Williams (tie)Ottawa, ON Merivale High School1974 James Williams Ottawa, ON Merivale High School1973 Alan Listoe (tie) Saskatoon, SK Aden Bowman Collegiate Luc St-Louis (tie)Montréal, QC CEGEP de Maisonneuve1972 Donald T. Kersey Hamilton, ON Hill Park Secondary School1971 Bruce Neilson Vancouver, BC Point Grey Secondary School1970 John Spouge Vancouver, BC St. George's School1969 Karl Morin-Strom (né Karl Strom) Sault Ste-Marie, ON Sir James Dunn Secondary School

See also Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge International Mathematical Olympiad List of mathematics competitions

References