Problem of the Week
Source: https://cemc.uwaterloo.ca/resources/potw Parent: https://cemc.uwaterloo.ca/
The Problem of the Week is designed to provide students with an ongoing opportunity to solve mathematical problems. Each week, problems from various areas of mathematics will be posted here and e-mailed to educators for use with their students from Grades 3 to 12. The problems vary in difficulty and cover a wide range of mathematical concepts, making it an excellent tool for both learning and enrichment.
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Problem of the Week has wrapped up for the 2024-2025 school year. Below you can find all problems and solutions that were sent. Problem of the Week will resume in September 2025.
Current Problem
Below you will find the weekly problem across five grade levels. Scroll down to find more problems.
Secret Message
preview View problem arrow_forward picture_as_pdf Download problem download
Solution will be posted on 03/26/2026
Solution will be posted on 03/26/2026
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Sign up to receive Problem of the Week straight in your inbox. New problems are sent every Thursday, and their solutions are sent one week later.
Problem A (Grade 3/4)
Problem B (Grade 5/6)
Problem C (Grade 7/8)
Problem D (Grade 9/10)
Problem E (Grade 11/12)
All Grades
Previous Problems and Solutions
Below you will find problems from previous week(s).
Grade AllGrade 3/4Grade 5/6Grade 7/8Grade 9/10Grade 11/12
Themes AlgebraComputational ThinkingData ManagementGeometry & MeasurementNumber Sense
Year Any2023-20242024-20252025-2026
| Week | Grade | Title | Theme | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 11/12 | Check Please 3 | Algebra, Number Sense | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download |
| 22 | 9/10 | Check Please 2 | Algebra, Number Sense | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download |
| 22 | 7/8 | Check Please 1 | Algebra, Number Sense | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download |
| 22 | 5/6 | Hidden Fractions | Computational Thinking, Number Sense | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download |
| 22 | 3/4 | Zookeeper | Geometry & Measurement, Number Sense | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download | description View visibility picture_as_pdf Download download |
Problem and Solution Archive from 2024/2025, 2023/2024
Visit the archive page to access links to booklets containing all the problems and solutions from the last two years. The problems are organized into themes, grouping problems into various areas of the curriculum.
Information for educators
Problems are organized into five themes: Algebra (A), Computational Thinking (C), Data Management (D), Geometry and Measurement (G), Number Sense (N). A problem may have more than one theme.
| Theme | Broad Topics |
| Algebra (A) | Patterning, Relations, Sequences, Functions |
| Computational Thinking (C) | Logic, Coding |
| Data Management (D) | Probability, Statistics, Counting |
| Geometry and Measurement (G) | Spatial Sense, Shape and Space, Trigonometry |
| Number Sense (N) | Numeration, Numbers, Number Theory, Financial Literacy |
These problems may be used in a variety of different ways including:
- posting the problems in a classroom,
- discussing the problems with students, and
- integrating the problems into their lessons.
We know that educators will use these problems in many creative ways!
Solutions will be sent out to educators one week after the problems are e-mailed.