Colina Math Bowl (referred to hereafter as “Math Bowl,” “contest,” “competition”) is an academic contest with questions/problems pertaining to mathematics , its applications, and math history. All or many of the questions are presented via Powerpoint slides, and a prerequisite for responding is being the first to press a electronic buzzer (see above photo). The Math Bowl uses a modified "round-robin" elimination format consisting of multiple rounds. For Round I, each team will play one other team, as assigned by the coordinator. At the end of each game, the team with most points shall be declared the winner of the round. If there is a tie, one or more tiebreak questions will be posed (exact directions will be given orally). Only winning teams from Round I will advance to Round II (other teams will be eliminated from the contest, with the format remaining as described above. Subsequent rounds will be played using the same format until a winning team and runner-up team are determined. A competition flow chart will be used to track opposing teams and the winners. (Foregoing subject to change without notification--exact method to be announced at event.)

The contest is entirely under the control of the coordinator/judge (Mr. Kane), whose decision on any matter relating to the contest is final. There is no challenge process. The coordinator reserves the right to add or modify rules and directions. The above directions/rules are not necessarily comprehensive; certain nuances, clarifications and other changes may be mentioned during the contest.

Each member of the Math Bowl winning team receives Cougar Cash, as well as recognition on Colina's website and over the P.A. system.

Math Bowl contestants work within teams, consisting of 3 members each, for team points. (In these rules/directions, the terms “contestant,” “team member,” and “player” are used interchangeably.) Each team appoints a "team captain" the first time that team plays in the Math Bowl; that same person remains for any subsequent rounds for which the team is eligible. Each of 20-70 questions per round* will be presented at once to all contestants to answer. Team members may collaborate on any given problem—whether multiple choice or short answer— unless specifically told that they may not do so. A team should press the buzzer (“buzz in”) just as soon as one or more of its members are ready to answer; any team member may buzz in for the team. The first team to buzz in gets the first chance to answer correctly; an answer must be stated orally; the team is awarded 1 point for a correct response. Only the team captain may answer for the team. (If both captain and another member speak up, the captain's answer will be the one that counts; if only a player other than the captain speaks, the judge will make a statement instructing the member to tell the captain.) Before answering a question, a team must be verbally recognized by the judge; verbal recognition will consist of the statement “Team A,” “Team B,” “Team C,” or the equivalent.

Upon verbal recognition, the player who buzzed in for his/her team must speak the answer within approx. 5 seconds** (timing begins immediately after a team is recognized); on multiple choice, only the letter to the left of the answer should be stated (however, full credit will be given if the answer itself is stated instead of or in addition to the letter). On any question, the first answer given is the only one that counts; i.e., once an answer is spoken, the player may not change it. Should a player answer before being verbally recognized, or should consultation among any of the team members occur, any answer given does not count; the question is then offered to the opposing team. If an answer is not given within 5 seconds, the question goes to opposing team. If each team attempting to answer a question misses, the question is discarded, and the next question is presented to both teams. Any incorrect answer earns 0. In arriving at an answer, teams may use only these aids: blank/lined paper; pencil/pen. Not permissible are: calculator, computer, ruler, graph paper, or any other item that has not been provided by the judge.
(All rules subject to change without notification until day of event.)

**A participant who is recognized must answer the question promptly. The judge will allow for a natural pause (up to approx. 5 seconds), but if the moderator determines that stalling is occurring/has occurred, the team loses its opportunity to answer the question, and it is offered to the next eligible team.

As with Colina's other math competitions (e.g., American Math Contest, Cal Math League), any math topic and anything math-related may serve as the basis for a question. Remember: This is a contest, not a classroom test. For a test, typically you would be told in advance what you need to know. For many contests (Math Bowl, AMC, CML, Vocab Bee, Geography Bee, etc.), you are not given specific content in advance.