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Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

Are you interested in working towards MATHCOUNTS and don’t know where to start? We have you covered! If you have taken Prealgebra, then you are ready for MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics. Already aiming for State or National MATHCOUNTS and harder AMC 8 problems? Then our MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced course is for you.

Summer camps are starting next month at the Virtual Campus in math and language arts that are 2 - to 4 - weeks in duration. Spaces are still available - don’t miss your chance to have an enriching summer experience. There are middle and high school competition math camps as well as Math Beasts camps that review key topics coupled with fun explorations covering areas such as graph theory (Math Beasts Camp 6), cryptography (Math Beasts Camp 7-8), and topology (Math Beasts Camp 8-9)!

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
[list][*]May 9th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, Casework 2: Overwhelming Evidence — A Text Adventure, a game where participants will work together to navigate the map, solve puzzles, and win! All are welcome.
[*]May 19th, 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET, What's Next After Beast Academy?, designed for students finishing Beast Academy and ready for Prealgebra 1.
[*]May 20th, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 1 Math Jam, Problems 1 to 4, join the Canada/USA Mathcamp staff for this exciting Math Jam, where they discuss solutions to Problems 1 to 4 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz!
[*]May 21st, 4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET, Mathcamp 2025 Qualifying Quiz Part 2 Math Jam, Problems 5 and 6, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will discuss solutions to Problems 5 and 6 of the 2025 Mathcamp Qualifying Quiz![/list]
Our full course list for upcoming classes is below:
All classes run 7:30pm-8:45pm ET/4:30pm - 5:45pm PT unless otherwise noted.

Introductory: Grades 5-10

Prealgebra 1 Self-Paced

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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
[MAIN ROUND STARTS MAY 17] OMMC Year 5
DottedCaculator   58
N 21 minutes ago by Craftybutterfly
Hello to all creative problem solvers,

Do you want to work on a fun, untimed team math competition with amazing questions by MOPpers and IMO & EGMO medalists? $\phantom{You lost the game.}$
Do you want to have a chance to win thousands in cash and raffle prizes (no matter your skill level)?

Check out the fifth annual iteration of the

Online Monmouth Math Competition!

Online Monmouth Math Competition, or OMMC, is a 501c3 accredited nonprofit organization managed by adults, college students, and high schoolers which aims to give talented high school and middle school students an exciting way to develop their skills in mathematics.

Our website: https://www.ommcofficial.org/
Our Discord (6000+ members): https://tinyurl.com/joinommc
Test portal: https://ommc-test-portal.vercel.app/

This is not a local competition; any student 18 or younger anywhere in the world can attend. We have changed some elements of our contest format, so read carefully and thoroughly. Join our Discord or monitor this thread for updates and test releases.

How hard is it?

We plan to raffle out a TON of prizes over all competitors regardless of performance. So just submit: a few minutes of your time will give you a great chance to win amazing prizes!

How are the problems?

You can check out our past problems and sample problems here:
https://www.ommcofficial.org/sample
https://www.ommcofficial.org/2022-documents
https://www.ommcofficial.org/2023-documents
https://www.ommcofficial.org/ommc-amc

How will the test be held?/How do I sign up?

Solo teams?

Test Policy

Timeline:
Main Round: May 17th - May 24th
Test Portal Released. The Main Round of the contest is held. The Main Round consists of 25 questions that each have a numerical answer. Teams will have the entire time interval to work on the questions. They can submit any time during the interval. Teams are free to edit their submissions before the period ends, even after they submit.

Final Round: May 26th - May 28th
The top placing teams will qualify for this invitational round (5-10 questions). The final round consists of 5-10 proof questions. Teams again will have the entire time interval to work on these questions and can submit their proofs any time during this interval. Teams are free to edit their submissions before the period ends, even after they submit.

Conclusion of Competition: Early June
Solutions will be released, winners announced, and prizes sent out to winners.

Scoring:

Prizes:

I have more questions. Whom do I ask?

We hope for your participation, and good luck!

OMMC staff

OMMC’S 2025 EVENTS ARE SPONSORED BY:

[list]
[*]Nontrivial Fellowship
[*]Citadel
[*]SPARC
[*]Jane Street
[*]And counting!
[/list]


58 replies
DottedCaculator
Apr 26, 2025
Craftybutterfly
21 minutes ago
Fond all functions in M with a) f(1)=5/2, b) f(1)=√3
Amir Hossein   5
N 2 hours ago by jasperE3
Source: IMO LongList 1982 - P34
Let $M$ be the set of all functions $f$ with the following properties:

(i) $f$ is defined for all real numbers and takes only real values.

(ii) For all $x, y \in \mathbb R$ the following equality holds: $f(x)f(y) = f(x + y) + f(x - y).$

(iii) $f(0) \neq 0.$

Determine all functions $f \in M$ such that

(a) $f(1)=\frac 52$,

(b) $f(1)= \sqrt 3$.
5 replies
Amir Hossein
Mar 18, 2011
jasperE3
2 hours ago
help me please
thuanz123   6
N 3 hours ago by pavel kozlov
find all $a,b \in \mathbb{Z}$ such that:
a) $3a^2-2b^2=1$
b) $a^2-6b^2=1$
6 replies
thuanz123
Jan 17, 2016
pavel kozlov
3 hours ago
Problem 5 (Second Day)
darij grinberg   78
N 3 hours ago by cj13609517288
Source: IMO 2004 Athens
In a convex quadrilateral $ABCD$, the diagonal $BD$ bisects neither the angle $ABC$ nor the angle $CDA$. The point $P$ lies inside $ABCD$ and satisfies \[\angle PBC=\angle DBA\quad\text{and}\quad \angle PDC=\angle BDA.\] Prove that $ABCD$ is a cyclic quadrilateral if and only if $AP=CP$.
78 replies
darij grinberg
Jul 13, 2004
cj13609517288
3 hours ago
concyclic wanted, PQ = BP, cyclic quadrilateral and 2 parallelograms related
parmenides51   2
N 3 hours ago by SuperBarsh
Source: 2011 Italy TST 2.2
Let $ABCD$ be a cyclic quadrilateral in which the lines $BC$ and $AD$ meet at a point $P$. Let $Q$ be the point of the line $BP$, different from $B$, such that $PQ = BP$. We construct the parallelograms $CAQR$ and $DBCS$. Prove that the points $C, Q, R, S$ lie on the same circle.
2 replies
parmenides51
Sep 25, 2020
SuperBarsh
3 hours ago
Integer FE Again
popcorn1   43
N 3 hours ago by DeathIsAwe
Source: ISL 2020 N5
Determine all functions $f$ defined on the set of all positive integers and taking non-negative integer values, satisfying the three conditions:
[list]
[*] $(i)$ $f(n) \neq 0$ for at least one $n$;
[*] $(ii)$ $f(x y)=f(x)+f(y)$ for every positive integers $x$ and $y$;
[*] $(iii)$ there are infinitely many positive integers $n$ such that $f(k)=f(n-k)$ for all $k<n$.
[/list]
43 replies
popcorn1
Jul 20, 2021
DeathIsAwe
3 hours ago
Goals for 2025-2026
Airbus320-214   140
N 3 hours ago by Schintalpati
Please write down your goal/goals for competitions here for 2025-2026.
140 replies
Airbus320-214
May 11, 2025
Schintalpati
3 hours ago
Long and wacky inequality
Royal_mhyasd   2
N 3 hours ago by Royal_mhyasd
Source: Me
Let $x, y, z$ be positive real numbers such that $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 12$. Find the minimum value of the following sum :
$$\sum_{cyc}\frac{(x^3+2y)^3}{3x^2yz - 16z - 8yz + 6x^2z}$$knowing that the denominators are positive real numbers.
2 replies
Royal_mhyasd
May 12, 2025
Royal_mhyasd
3 hours ago
Camp Conway/Camp Sierpinski Acceptance
fossasor   8
N 3 hours ago by Ruegerbyrd
(trying this again in a different thread now that it's later)

I've been accepted into Camp Conway, which is a part of National Math Camps, a organization of Math Camps that currently includes two: Camp Conway and Camp Sierpinski. Camp Conway is located at Harvey Mudd in California and happens during the first half of summer, while Camp Sierpinski is in North Carolina's research triangle and happens during the second half. Each of them has two two-week long sessions that accept 30 people (it's very focused on social connection), which means 120 people will be accepted to the program in total.

Given how much of the math community is on aops, I think there's a decent chance one of the 120 people might see this thread. So - has anyone here been accepted into Camp Conway or Camp Sierpinski? If so, which session are you going during, and what are you looking forward to?

I'll be attending during the second session of Conway in the first few weeks of July - I'm looking forward to the Topics Classes as a lot of them sound pretty fun.
8 replies
fossasor
Apr 19, 2025
Ruegerbyrd
3 hours ago
Perpendicular passes from the intersection of diagonals, \angle AEB = \angle CED
NO_SQUARES   1
N 4 hours ago by mathuz
Source: 239 MO 2025 10-11 p3
Inside of convex quadrilateral $ABCD$ point $E$ was chosen such that $\angle DAE = \angle CAB$ and $\angle ADE = \angle CDB$. Prove that if perpendicular from $E$ to $AD$ passes from the intersection of diagonals of $ABCD$, then $\angle AEB = \angle CED$.
1 reply
NO_SQUARES
May 5, 2025
mathuz
4 hours ago
A game with balls and boxes
egxa   6
N 4 hours ago by Sh309had
Source: Turkey JBMO TST 2023 Day 1 P4
Initially, Aslı distributes $1000$ balls to $30$ boxes as she wishes. After that, Aslı and Zehra make alternated moves which consists of taking a ball in any wanted box starting with Aslı. One who takes the last ball from any box takes that box to herself. What is the maximum number of boxes can Aslı guarantee to take herself regardless of Zehra's moves?
6 replies
egxa
Apr 30, 2023
Sh309had
4 hours ago
Angle Relationships in Triangles
steven_zhang123   2
N 4 hours ago by Captainscrubz
In $\triangle ABC$, $AB > AC$. The internal angle bisector of $\angle BAC$ and the external angle bisector of $\angle BAC$ intersect the ray $BC$ at points $D$ and $E$, respectively. Given that $CE - CD = 2AC$, prove that $\angle ACB = 2\angle ABC$.
2 replies
steven_zhang123
Yesterday at 11:09 PM
Captainscrubz
4 hours ago
Easy functional equation
fattypiggy123   14
N 4 hours ago by Fly_into_the_sky
Source: Singapore Mathematical Olympiad 2014 Problem 2
Find all functions from the reals to the reals satisfying
\[f(xf(y) + x) = xy + f(x)\]
14 replies
fattypiggy123
Jul 5, 2014
Fly_into_the_sky
4 hours ago
HCSSiM results
SurvivingInEnglish   74
N Today at 1:20 PM by smiley
Anyone already got results for HCSSiM? Are there any point in sending additional work if I applied on March 19?
74 replies
SurvivingInEnglish
Apr 5, 2024
smiley
Today at 1:20 PM
Studying to qualify for USAMO
jsani0102   16
N Apr 26, 2011 by ksun48
Hello, I am new to these forums. I am currently a sophomore taking Precalculus that wants to get better at contest mathematics and hopefully qualify for USAMO next year. Last year, I did not qualify for the AIME, but this year, I scored a 117 on the AMC 10A, just enough to take the AIME, and the AIME was very hard for me. I have never had experience with any of the AoPS books and I was just wondering what you guys recommend that I should do in order to qualify for USAMO next year.

I'm thinking of working through AoPS vol 1 to bring up my fundamentals, and then maybe taking an AMC 12 or an AIME class over the summer along with doing the AoPS vol 2 to help on the AIME. I am unsure about the specific AoPS classes such as Precalculus and the Intermediate classes.

What do you suggest that I do? Thank you so much for your help.
16 replies
jsani0102
Mar 22, 2011
ksun48
Apr 26, 2011
Studying to qualify for USAMO
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jsani0102
4 posts
#1 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
Hello, I am new to these forums. I am currently a sophomore taking Precalculus that wants to get better at contest mathematics and hopefully qualify for USAMO next year. Last year, I did not qualify for the AIME, but this year, I scored a 117 on the AMC 10A, just enough to take the AIME, and the AIME was very hard for me. I have never had experience with any of the AoPS books and I was just wondering what you guys recommend that I should do in order to qualify for USAMO next year.

I'm thinking of working through AoPS vol 1 to bring up my fundamentals, and then maybe taking an AMC 12 or an AIME class over the summer along with doing the AoPS vol 2 to help on the AIME. I am unsure about the specific AoPS classes such as Precalculus and the Intermediate classes.

What do you suggest that I do? Thank you so much for your help.
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v_Enhance
6877 posts
#2 • 9 Y
Y by Alnitak, QWERTYphysics, B.Pan, Williamgolly, HamstPan38825, ThisUsernameIsTaken, Adventure10, and 2 other users
Hello, and welcome to AoPS. You've certainly found the right place. :)

This topic is essentially the universal answer to this type of question. It's a very well-written post, so you should go ahead and read that.

The below is just my personal advice. Individual results may vary~

As far as your specific situation, I personally would start with AoPS v2 instead of AoPS v1, but that depends on how familiar you are in general with the standard techniques.
Once you finish AoPS v2, which should take a while, you should start doing some past AIMEs under test conditions. Make a point to understand the problems that you fail to solve- it won't help too much if you do the problems, get a score, then never look at them again. The AoPSWiki (it's under Resources at the top) has the problems/solutions to basically every AIME. The general consensus is that the later AIMEs are harder.

I haven't had too much experience with AoPS classes, although I liked the special problem seminar close to the date of the AIME. As far as topic coverage, you may also want to look into Intermediate C&P in addition to the AoPS precalculus class. If you opt to not take the precalculus, you should at least familiarize yourself with trig identities and complex numbers- these are popular AIME topics.

The AIME was rather hard this year, so don't get discouraged. Good luck!
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redcomet46
5476 posts
#3 • 9 Y
Y by TheMathematicsTiger7, Adventure10, Mango247, and 6 other users
Hello Jsani, welcome to AoPS. Congratulations on qualifying for AIME. It's not meant to be an easy test; the best thing you can do is practice. The AMC section of the AoPSWiki has a very comprehensive list of past tests and solutions. AoPS Volume 2 covers a wide variety of topics while moving at a fast pace. If you're looking for more detail and depth, consider the introductory or intermediate series. Don't get too caught up in compiling book-lists to buy or setting study schedules for yourself; focus on working through problems instead. The math itself is most important!
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3point14
114 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I'm in a similar situation. I am a sophomore with precalculus this year, got a lower amc 10 score to qualify AIME(127.5), and started doing problem solving math fairly recently (end of last summer.) I'd also like to qualify USAMO next year. I've worked through volume 1, and I think I'm going to try to get through volume 2 by the end of the school year, and then go thorugh intermediate number theory and probability/counting, and then maybe do art and craft of problem solving by Paul Zeitz, all the time working past amc 12s and aimes. Probably won't get through all that by the start of next school year, but that's the plan.
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calculatorwiz
222 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Hi, welcome to Aops. My advice to you is to definitely go through Aops Volume 2 and become very familiar with geometry, modular arithmetic, trigonometry, and advanced algebra. You should buy the Aops Precalculus book (even if you're taking precalculus) because it is, one, more in depth than normal courses and, two, its problems are of the competition type. If I were you, I might even buy the Intermediate Algebra book as it goes into greater depth than normal courses and also gives great practice on competition type problems. In normal grade school, students are not taught Counting and Probability or Number Theory. You should look into the intermediate and introductory courses of those also.

@redcomet46: The end part of your post was very inspirational. You could even put it in a speech. :)
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sjaelee
485 posts
#6 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Would Intermediate Number Theory and the two aime problem series be too much? or does it depend on free time?
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themorninglighttt
789 posts
#7 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I thought AoPS V2 was a good book. Yeah, it doesn't go as in depth as other books, but the problems are what really make it nice.
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NuncChaos
781 posts
#8 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
On the contrary, you can learn a lot from AoPS 2. It has more than enough "theory" and a nice collection of problems/solutions to make USAMO. Although, I highly recommend you read it through more than once.

It is a good idea to look at others' solutions, not just official one or your own, since often they will have an elegant method or simply another line of attack that you did not think of.

ACoPS is a great book; but I feel like much of the theory developed in there is much less naturally learned if you don't at least have some background. I recommend you read it when you consistently score double digits on AIME, and when you begin to study olympiad-level problems.

But if you are to get ACoPS, I suggest you get the new version, with geo. AoPS 2 has a deceptively short chapter on cyclic quadrilaterals... and the old version of ACoPS neglects geo altogether.
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anonymous0
455 posts
#9 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Maybe you can try some of the intermediate AoPS books (which are around end of AoPS Volume 1 level?). Precalculus (the AoPS book) is probably around AoPS volume 2 level. And I agree with you that the AIME is a very difficult test. It was especially hard this year. I only got 2 right.
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Spring
338 posts
#10 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Yoni2b wrote:
but if you really want nice problems, then look at IMO, or USAMO

Why would someone aiming to qualify for the USAMO look at IMO or USAMO problems? Please read the topic before posting...
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smallpeoples343
834 posts
#11 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
@Spring

USAJMO, not USAMO.
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abacadaea
2176 posts
#12 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Spring wrote:
Yoni2b wrote:
but if you really want nice problems, then look at IMO, or USAMO

Why would someone aiming to qualify for the USAMO look at IMO or USAMO problems? Please read the topic before posting...

Because doing USAMO problems helps your problem solving ability as much as AIME problems, if not more.
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AwesomeToad
4535 posts
#13 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
I partially agree with Yoni2b.

It is a good thing to have and to learn from, as is any AoPS book, but I personally feel that the rest of the AoPS books are much better written.
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gapoc459
432 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Hi, I am in a somewhat similar position. My goal is to make the USAJMO next year, in 8th grade. This year, I only got 115.5 on the AMC 10, so I didn't even qualify for the AIME. However, I will go to MathPath over the summer, and, if I keep my (not terribly rigorous) schedule, I will have completed the AoPS Introduction series, and have taken Algebra 3 and Intermediate Number Theory before the AIME next year.

How do you think I stand? More importantly, what should I do to make this goal more realistic?

Oh, and welcome to AoPS jsani. This is the awesomest place in the world.
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sjaelee
485 posts
#15 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
You should be able to get in jmo with that schedule. You could try any of the other intermediate series or the aime problem series. Volume two might help. Make sure to do plenty of past aime tests as well.
I found this helpful: http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=133&t=401640
For books: http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=133&t=362950
This post has been edited 2 times. Last edited by sjaelee, Apr 26, 2011, 2:40 AM
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AwesomeToad
4535 posts
#16 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
@gapoc459 and sjaelee: I'm not trying to discourage of course, but keep in mind that the USAJMO and USAMO qualifications are equivalent to roughly the top 500 students in the country; very small group. So it is not as easy as you think.

gapoc459, I was in the same position last year. A friend of mine and I both were really sure that we would make JMO/AMO, and both epic-failed the AIME and missed the index by about 20 points.
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SnowEverywhere
801 posts
#17 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
abacadaea wrote:
Spring wrote:
Yoni2b wrote:
but if you really want nice problems, then look at IMO, or USAMO

Why would someone aiming to qualify for the USAMO look at IMO or USAMO problems? Please read the topic before posting...

Because doing USAMO problems helps your problem solving ability as much as AIME problems, if not more.

I second this opinion. Once you can get around 7 on the AIME, I would recommend starting to do olympiad problems. Without doing another AIME problem, you probably could rise to the point of being able to easily pass the AMC 12 and AIME and potentially get 2-3 problems on the USAMO.
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