Stay ahead of learning milestones! Enroll in a class over the summer!

Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
3 M G
BBookmark  VNew Topic kLocked
Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
3 M G
BBookmark  VNew Topic kLocked
G
Topic
First Poster
Last Poster
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

Prealgebra 1
Tuesday, May 13 - Aug 26
Thursday, May 29 - Sep 11
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Monday, Jun 30 - Oct 20
Wednesday, Jul 16 - Oct 29

Prealgebra 2 Self-Paced

Prealgebra 2
Wednesday, May 7 - Aug 20
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 29 - Oct 26
Friday, Jul 25 - Nov 21

Introduction to Algebra A Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra A
Sunday, May 11 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Wednesday, May 14 - Aug 27
Friday, May 30 - Sep 26
Monday, Jun 2 - Sep 22
Sunday, Jun 15 - Oct 12
Thursday, Jun 26 - Oct 9
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Oct 28

Introduction to Counting & Probability Self-Paced

Introduction to Counting & Probability
Thursday, May 15 - Jul 31
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Wednesday, Jul 9 - Sep 24
Sunday, Jul 27 - Oct 19

Introduction to Number Theory
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Monday, Jun 9 - Aug 25
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Tuesday, Jul 15 - Sep 30

Introduction to Algebra B Self-Paced

Introduction to Algebra B
Tuesday, May 6 - Aug 19
Wednesday, Jun 4 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Oct 19
Friday, Jul 18 - Nov 14

Introduction to Geometry
Sunday, May 11 - Nov 9
Tuesday, May 20 - Oct 28
Monday, Jun 16 - Dec 8
Friday, Jun 20 - Jan 9
Sunday, Jun 29 - Jan 11
Monday, Jul 14 - Jan 19

Paradoxes and Infinity
Mon, Tue, Wed, & Thurs, Jul 14 - Jul 16 (meets every day of the week!)

Intermediate: Grades 8-12

Intermediate Algebra
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 23
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Nov 18
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 10
Sunday, Jul 13 - Jan 18
Thursday, Jul 24 - Jan 22

Intermediate Counting & Probability
Wednesday, May 21 - Sep 17
Sunday, Jun 22 - Nov 2

Intermediate Number Theory
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Wednesday, Jun 18 - Sep 3

Precalculus
Friday, May 16 - Oct 24
Sunday, Jun 1 - Nov 9
Monday, Jun 30 - Dec 8

Advanced: Grades 9-12

Olympiad Geometry
Tuesday, Jun 10 - Aug 26

Calculus
Tuesday, May 27 - Nov 11
Wednesday, Jun 25 - Dec 17

Group Theory
Thursday, Jun 12 - Sep 11

Contest Preparation: Grades 6-12

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Basics
Friday, May 23 - Aug 15
Monday, Jun 2 - Aug 18
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

MATHCOUNTS/AMC 8 Advanced
Sunday, May 11 - Aug 10
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Problem Series
Friday, May 9 - Aug 1
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15
Tues & Thurs, Jul 8 - Aug 14 (meets twice a week!)

AMC 10 Final Fives
Sunday, May 11 - Jun 8
Tuesday, May 27 - Jun 17
Monday, Jun 30 - Jul 21

AMC 12 Problem Series
Tuesday, May 27 - Aug 12
Thursday, Jun 12 - Aug 28
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21
Wednesday, Aug 6 - Oct 22

AMC 12 Final Fives
Sunday, May 18 - Jun 15

AIME Problem Series A
Thursday, May 22 - Jul 31

AIME Problem Series B
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 21

F=ma Problem Series
Wednesday, Jun 11 - Aug 27

WOOT Programs
Visit the pages linked for full schedule details for each of these programs!


MathWOOT Level 1
MathWOOT Level 2
ChemWOOT
CodeWOOT
PhysicsWOOT

Programming

Introduction to Programming with Python
Thursday, May 22 - Aug 7
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14 (1:00 - 2:30 pm ET/10:00 - 11:30 am PT)
Tuesday, Jun 17 - Sep 2
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

Intermediate Programming with Python
Sunday, Jun 1 - Aug 24
Monday, Jun 30 - Sep 22

USACO Bronze Problem Series
Tuesday, May 13 - Jul 29
Sunday, Jun 22 - Sep 1

Physics

Introduction to Physics
Wednesday, May 21 - Aug 6
Sunday, Jun 15 - Sep 14
Monday, Jun 23 - Sep 15

Physics 1: Mechanics
Thursday, May 22 - Oct 30
Monday, Jun 23 - Dec 15

Relativity
Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs, Jun 23 - Jun 26 (meets every day of the week!)
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
Holy garbanzo
centslordm   13
N 38 minutes ago by daijobu
Source: 2024 AMC 12A #23
What is the value of \[\tan^2 \frac {\pi}{16} \cdot \tan^2 \frac {3\pi}{16} + \tan^2 \frac {\pi}{16} \cdot \tan^2 \frac {5\pi}{16}+\tan^2 \frac {3\pi}{16} \cdot \tan^2 \frac {7\pi}{16}+\tan^2 \frac {5\pi}{16} \cdot \tan^2 \frac {7\pi}{16}?\]
$\textbf{(A) } 28 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 68 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 70 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 72 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 84$
13 replies
centslordm
Nov 7, 2024
daijobu
38 minutes ago
II_a - r_a = R - r implies A = 60
Miquel-point   0
38 minutes ago
Source: KoMaL B. 5421
The incenter and the inradius of the acute triangle $ABC$ are $I$ and $r$, respectively. The excenter and exradius relative to vertex $A$ is $I_a$ and $r_a$, respectively. Let $R$ denote the circumradius. Prove that if $II_a=r_a+R-r$, then $\angle BAC=60^\circ$.

Proposed by Class 2024C of Fazekas M. Gyak. Ált. Isk. és Gimn., Budapest
0 replies
Miquel-point
38 minutes ago
0 replies
[MAIN ROUND STARTS MAY 17] OMMC Year 5
DottedCaculator   62
N 3 hours 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]


62 replies
DottedCaculator
Apr 26, 2025
Craftybutterfly
3 hours ago
[CASH PRIZES] IndyINTEGIRLS Spring Math Competition
Indy_Integirls   4
N 3 hours ago by Inaaya
[center]IMAGE

Greetings, AoPS! IndyINTEGIRLS will be hosting a virtual math competition on May 25,
2024 from 12 PM to 3 PM EST.
Join other woman-identifying and/or non-binary "STEMinists" in solving problems, socializing, playing games, winning prizes, and more! If you are interested in competing, please register here![/center]

----------

[center]Important Information[/center]

Eligibility: This competition is open to all woman-identifying and non-binary students in middle and high school. Non-Indiana residents and international students are welcome as well!

Format: There will be a middle school and high school division. In each separate division, there will be an individual round and a team round, where students are grouped into teams of 3-4 and collaboratively solve a set of difficult problems. There will also be a buzzer/countdown/Kahoot-style round, where students from both divisions are grouped together to compete in a MATHCOUNTS-style countdown round! There will be prizes for the top competitors in each division.

Problem Difficulty: Our amazing team of problem writers is working hard to ensure that there will be problems for problem-solvers of all levels! The middle school problems will range from MATHCOUNTS school round to AMC 10 level, while the high school problems will be for more advanced problem-solvers. The team round problems will cover various difficulty levels and are meant to be more difficult, while the countdown/buzzer/Kahoot round questions will be similar to MATHCOUNTS state to MATHCOUNTS Nationals countdown round in difficulty.

Platform: This contest will be held virtually through Zoom. All competitors are required to have their cameras turned on at all times unless they have a reason for otherwise. Proctors and volunteers will be monitoring students at all times to prevent cheating and to create a fair environment for all students.

Prizes: At this moment, prizes are TBD, and more information will be provided and attached to this post as the competition date approaches. Rest assured, IndyINTEGIRLS has historically given out very generous cash prizes, and we intend on maintaining this generosity into our Spring Competition.

Contact & Connect With Us: Follow us on Instagram @indy.integirls, join our Discord, follow us on TikTok @indy.integirls, and email us at indy@integirls.org.

---------
[center]Help Us Out

Please help us in sharing the news of this competition! Our amazing team of officers has worked very hard to provide this educational opportunity to as many students as possible, and we would appreciate it if you could help us spread the word!
4 replies
Indy_Integirls
May 11, 2025
Inaaya
3 hours ago
Two lengths are equal
62861   30
N 3 hours ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: IMO 2015 Shortlist, G5
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with $CA \neq CB$. Let $D$, $F$, and $G$ be the midpoints of the sides $AB$, $AC$, and $BC$ respectively. A circle $\Gamma$ passing through $C$ and tangent to $AB$ at $D$ meets the segments $AF$ and $BG$ at $H$ and $I$, respectively. The points $H'$ and $I'$ are symmetric to $H$ and $I$ about $F$ and $G$, respectively. The line $H'I'$ meets $CD$ and $FG$ at $Q$ and $M$, respectively. The line $CM$ meets $\Gamma$ again at $P$. Prove that $CQ = QP$.

Proposed by El Salvador
30 replies
62861
Jul 7, 2016
Ilikeminecraft
3 hours ago
Geometry with altitudes and the nine point centre
Adywastaken   4
N 4 hours ago by Miquel-point
Source: KoMaL B5333
The foot of the altitude from vertex $A$ of acute triangle $ABC$ is $T_A$. The ray drawn from $A$ through the circumcenter $O$ intersects $BC$ at $R_A$. Let the midpoint of $AR_A$ be $F_A$. Define $T_B$, $R_B$, $F_B$, $T_C$, $R_C$, $F_C$ similarly. Prove that $T_AF_A$, $T_BF_B$, $T_CF_C$ are concurrent.
4 replies
Adywastaken
May 14, 2025
Miquel-point
4 hours ago
Concurrency in Parallelogram
amuthup   91
N 5 hours ago by Rayvhs
Source: 2021 ISL G1
Let $ABCD$ be a parallelogram with $AC=BC.$ A point $P$ is chosen on the extension of ray $AB$ past $B.$ The circumcircle of $ACD$ meets the segment $PD$ again at $Q.$ The circumcircle of triangle $APQ$ meets the segment $PC$ at $R.$ Prove that lines $CD,AQ,BR$ are concurrent.
91 replies
amuthup
Jul 12, 2022
Rayvhs
5 hours ago
concyclic wanted, diameter related
parmenides51   3
N 5 hours ago by Giant_PT
Source: China Northern MO 2023 p1 CNMO
As shown in the figure, $AB$ is the diameter of circle $\odot O$, and chords $AC$ and $BD$ intersect at point $E$, $EF\perp AB$ intersects at point $F$, and $FC$ intersects $BD$ at point $G$. Point $M$ lies on $AB$ such that $MD=MG$ . Prove that points $F$, $M$, $D$, $G$ lies on a circle.
IMAGE
3 replies
parmenides51
May 5, 2024
Giant_PT
5 hours ago
Concurrency
Omid Hatami   14
N 5 hours ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: Iran TST 2008
Suppose that $ I$ is incenter of triangle $ ABC$ and $ l'$ is a line tangent to the incircle. Let $ l$ be another line such that intersects $ AB,AC,BC$ respectively at $ C',B',A'$. We draw a tangent from $ A'$ to the incircle other than $ BC$, and this line intersects with $ l'$ at $ A_1$. $ B_1,C_1$ are similarly defined. Prove that $ AA_1,BB_1,CC_1$ are concurrent.
14 replies
Omid Hatami
May 20, 2008
Ilikeminecraft
5 hours ago
<ACB=90^o if AD = BD , <ACD = 3 <BAC, AM=//MD, CM//AB,
parmenides51   2
N 5 hours ago by AylyGayypow009
Source: 2021 JBMO TST Bosnia and Herzegovina P3
In the convex quadrilateral $ABCD$, $AD = BD$ and $\angle ACD  = 3 \angle BAC$. Let $M$ be the midpoint of side $AD$. If the lines $CM$ and $AB$ are parallel, prove that the angle $\angle  ACB$ is right.
2 replies
parmenides51
Oct 7, 2022
AylyGayypow009
5 hours ago
2v2 (bob lost the game)
GoodMorning   85
N 5 hours ago by maromex
Source: 2023 USAJMO Problem 5/USAMO Problem 4
A positive integer $a$ is selected, and some positive integers are written on a board. Alice and Bob play the following game. On Alice's turn, she must replace some integer $n$ on the board with $n+a$, and on Bob's turn he must replace some even integer $n$ on the board with $n/2$. Alice goes first and they alternate turns. If on his turn Bob has no valid moves, the game ends.

After analyzing the integers on the board, Bob realizes that, regardless of what moves Alice makes, he will be able to force the game to end eventually. Show that, in fact, for this value of $a$ and these integers on the board, the game is guaranteed to end regardless of Alice's or Bob's moves.
85 replies
GoodMorning
Mar 23, 2023
maromex
5 hours ago
Simple but hard
Lukariman   5
N 6 hours ago by Giant_PT
Given triangle ABC. Outside the triangle, construct rectangles ACDE and BCFG with equal areas. Let M be the midpoint of DF. Prove that CM passes through the center of the circle circumscribing triangle ABC.
5 replies
Lukariman
Today at 2:47 AM
Giant_PT
6 hours ago
bulgarian concurrency, parallelograms and midpoints related
parmenides51   7
N 6 hours ago by Ilikeminecraft
Source: Bulgaria NMO 2015 p5
In a triangle $\triangle ABC$ points $L, P$ and $Q$ lie on the segments $AB, AC$ and $BC$, respectively, and are such that $PCQL$ is a parallelogram. The circle with center the midpoint $M$ of the segment $AB$ and radius $CM$ and the circle of diameter $CL$ intersect for the second time at the point $T$. Prove that the lines $AQ, BP$ and $LT$ intersect in a point.
7 replies
parmenides51
May 28, 2019
Ilikeminecraft
6 hours ago
AC bisects BE, BC = DE, CD//BE, <BAC = <DAE, AB/BD=AE/ED
parmenides51   3
N 6 hours ago by pku
Source: China Northern MO 2012 p7 CNMO
As shown in figure , in the pentagon $ABCDE$, $BC = DE$, $CD \parallel BE$, $AB>AE$. If $\angle BAC = \angle DAE$ and $\frac{AB}{BD}=\frac{AE}{ED}$. Prove that $AC$ bisects the line segment $BE$.
IMAGE
3 replies
parmenides51
Oct 28, 2022
pku
6 hours ago
Usamo prep - i just want to solve at least one problem
calc rulz   25
N Apr 3, 2006 by K81o7
I'm happy to have (probably) qualified for USAMO, but I haven't been preparing at all for USAMO. I know I can't do too well, but I'd like to do ok, and in particular I may be able to get into freshman MOSP.

Yes, I do know what a proof is, and I indeed have proof-writing experience from USAMTS, but haven't yet tackled problems at the USAMO level.

So, what should my strategy be? How much time should I spend trying to solve problems vs. reading solutions, or even learning new theorems/tools? Which subjects should I focus on the most?

Regarding geometry, what are some important theorems I should know?

Regarding inequalities, should I try to learn anything about them? If so, could someone list the major theorems/inequalities/ideas/tools I should learn? (I've seen AM-GM, WLOG, and Cauchy mentioned, but I forget what else).

And are there any other theorems etc I should know? (ie in other topics)
25 replies
calc rulz
Mar 28, 2006
K81o7
Apr 3, 2006
Usamo prep - i just want to solve at least one problem
G H J
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
calc rulz
1126 posts
#1 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I'm happy to have (probably) qualified for USAMO, but I haven't been preparing at all for USAMO. I know I can't do too well, but I'd like to do ok, and in particular I may be able to get into freshman MOSP.

Yes, I do know what a proof is, and I indeed have proof-writing experience from USAMTS, but haven't yet tackled problems at the USAMO level.

So, what should my strategy be? How much time should I spend trying to solve problems vs. reading solutions, or even learning new theorems/tools? Which subjects should I focus on the most?

Regarding geometry, what are some important theorems I should know?

Regarding inequalities, should I try to learn anything about them? If so, could someone list the major theorems/inequalities/ideas/tools I should learn? (I've seen AM-GM, WLOG, and Cauchy mentioned, but I forget what else).

And are there any other theorems etc I should know? (ie in other topics)
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
nat mc
1653 posts
#2 • 3 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, and 1 other user
calc rulz wrote:
(I've seen AM-GM, WLOG, and Cauchy mentioned, but I forget what else)
WLOG isn't an inequality theorem, its an acronym menaing "without loss of generality"
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
jmerry
12096 posts
#3 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Some general strategic advice:
On each half, it's likely that the first problem will be the easiest; spend some time on it. On the other hand, you shouldn't ignore the other problems- there's always a chance that you happen to know something useful.
You have more than four hours for each half, so you can afford to spend some time on each problem just playing around and looking for something interesting. If you get stuck, look at something else for a while.
There's usually one or two problems that can be approached with no technical background. That doesn't necessarily make them easy, but it's certainly worth trying them.

If you want practice, check out the Olympiad section on this site- there are lots of problems there, from all over the world. Most national olympiads are easier than the USAMO, but the style of problems are similar.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
t0rajir0u
12167 posts
#4 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Forget AM-GM, you're better off learning the full QM-AM-GM-HM (for nonnegative $a, b$):

$\sqrt{ \frac{a^2 + b^2}{2} } \ge \frac{a + b}{2} \ge \sqrt{ab} \ge \frac{2ab}{a+b}$

The common AM-GM statement is an extension of the middle two:

$\frac{a_1 + a_2 + ... + a_n}{n} \ge \sqrt[n]{a_1 a_2 a_3 ... a_n}$



As for Cauchy, for nonnegative sequences $a_1, ... a_n, b_1, ... b_n$:

$\left( a_1^2 + a_2^2 + ... \right) \left( b_1^2 + b_2^2 + ... \right) \ge \left( a_1 b_1 + a_2 b_2 + ... \right)^2$

In vector form, it becomes simply

$| \vec{v} | | \vec{u} | \ge | \vec{v} \cdot \vec{u} |$

Which is how I remember the other form in the first place. :P



Any other important results are things you're better off not memorizing now because they won't stick. If you can, try to do a lot of practice problems - that's usually the best way to familiarize yourself with new concepts.

And yes, as was previously stated, WLOG is an acronym meaning "Without Loss of Generality." For example, if one were trying to prove the inequality

$a^2 + b^2 + c^2 \ge ab + bc + ca$

You could realize that this inequality is "symmetric" with respect to $a, b, c$, which means that $f(a, b, c) = a^2 + b^2 + c^2 - ab - bc - ca = f(b, c, a) = f(a, c, b) = ...$, so you can assume, Without Loss of Generality, that $a \ge b \ge c$ (since you can just pick them in that order).
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Mathlete9366
68 posts
#5 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Just some tips on what *I'm* doing (i'm in the same boat as you are, except I got a borderline 8 on the AIME I (after stupid mistakes I won't get into here) - trying to sneak into MOP as a freshman). I am going through the Art and Craft of Problem Solving (often abbreviated ACoPS), which has a good chunk of chapters about actually writing good, convincing proofs (methods of writing proofs, common tools of writing proofs, things to look for, etc.) and a section of book covering some advanced topics and ideas.

I have also been googling and, especially looking at DPopov's thread in this forum, there are some users that posted a list of common theorems/formulas/inequalities you should know (I can't recall the actual title of this thread, but you should be able to find it).

Also, I have heard *many* times that simply working past USAMO problems for some time like the actual time you are allowed, and then working through the suggested solutions to find what you were doing correctly, what you were doing incorrectly, and what you obviously need to start looking for/improve on. I have also heard Titu Andreescu's 2000-2001 Olympiad Problem book cited a few times as a useful resource, but I cannot confirm this, as I do not have the book myself.

(is the power mean inequality useful? what about Bernoulli's inequality? chebychev's?)

Anyway, that is all I have really learned from many hours of Googling/reading. If anybody has any additions to my ideas above, *please* share them for the sake of all of us youngsters (and others) that are preparing for the USAMO. Thanks!

Alex

Good luck on the USAMO!
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Phelpedo
2444 posts
#6 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Calcrulz said he got an 8 on the USAMO too.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Elemennop
1421 posts
#7 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Inequalities is so much about having experience...there are tons of techniques and substitutions and everything that one normally won't have the insight to use unless you've seen it before. Say you have the condition $ab+ac+bc+2abc=1$...looks fairly unassuming, but you can substitute $a=\frac{x}{y+z}$ and so on, which trivializes alot of ineq...also, you can do $a=\cos\alpha$ where the three angles sum to $180^{\circ}$, again helping alot. And this is just a fraction of what you can do that really needs experience to work with.

The other stuff isn't nearly as bad, though.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
calc rulz
1126 posts
#8 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I have Art and Craft of Problem Chapters, which sections do you recommend focusing on? (as the book is too large to read all or even most of it in less than a month)

Regarding other olympiads, does anyone know any specific countries that have relatively easier ones than USAMO?

Also, wouldn't it help to say, know something about inequalities so as to get partial credit on such a problem? And in general, should I always write up something for each problem so as to get some partial credit?

Phelpedo, I got an 8 on the AIME II, not USAMO.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
probability1.01
2743 posts
#9 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Ehhh, the only thing that you should focus on is being good at writing proofs. Your USAMO score is going to be what it's going to be, and practice at this point isn't going to really help you. Just don't get intimidated, but also don't over-stretch yourself.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Phelpedo
2444 posts
#10 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Yeah, I meant AIME, not USAMO.

I wouldn't say 3 weeks before the USAMO is too late to prepare. I started preparing for the AIME II hardly a week before the test and was able to raise my average score up 5 points; I did the same last year before MathCounts States to move up from 5th chapter to 4th state. I would caution you not to do too much math and burn yourself out though. Unfortunately I board at a school and on top of homework&sports, there isn't much time to do extracurricular math, so I'm not able to really start preparing until vacation.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
calc rulz
1126 posts
#11 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Phelpedo, the USAMO is different; to truely prepare you need months of preparation. And probability, I know that. I'm just asking what the best thing to do is given the amount of time I have.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
randomdragoon
618 posts
#12 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
probability1.01 wrote:
Ehhh, the only thing that you should focus on is being good at writing proofs. Your USAMO score is going to be what it's going to be, and practice at this point isn't going to really help you. Just don't get intimidated, but also don't over-stretch yourself.
That might be true for people of your calibur, but a lot of others can easily make a big improvement in three weeks.

Unless it isn't true for you either, in which case I need to question why you even posted this comment.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Phelpedo
2444 posts
#13 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
calc rulz wrote:
Phelpedo, the USAMO is different; to truely prepare you need months of preparation. And probability, I know that. I'm just asking what the best thing to do is given the amount of time I have.

Yes but that isn't to say that you can't improve in these few weeks. And since you're in 9th grade, you can always look ahead to next year's USAMO. It's never to early to start.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
calc rulz
1126 posts
#14 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Phelpedo wrote:
calc rulz wrote:
Phelpedo, the USAMO is different; to truely prepare you need months of preparation. And probability, I know that. I'm just asking what the best thing to do is given the amount of time I have.

Yes but that isn't to say that you can't improve in these few weeks. And since you're in 9th grade, you can always look ahead to next year's USAMO. It's never to early to start.

I know, so I'm asking what preparation I should do. I was just saying you can't do the same kind of hardcore preparation that people who want to do really well do.

Also, I'm particularly focused on this year because of freshman MOP (they take approximately 30 ninth graders to MOP).
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
amitavadhar
100 posts
#15 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
I'm a freshman and i think i got into to USAMO. Can anyone please tell me how they select freshman MOSP. And if its by USAMO score, what you should shoot for to get in.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
randomdragoon
618 posts
#16 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
amitavadhar wrote:
I'm a freshman and i think i got into to USAMO. Can anyone please tell me how they select freshman MOSP. And if its by USAMO score, what you should shoot for to get in.
Try to get one question and bs a whole bunch of other questions, that should be enough. Though I don't know with the expansion, it might be higher.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
pieterminate
436 posts
#17 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
amitavadhar wrote:
I'm a freshman and i think i got into to USAMO. Can anyone please tell me how they select freshman MOSP. And if its by USAMO score, what you should shoot for to get in.

They select based on ur usamo score and shoot for at least completely solving one problem.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Mathlete9366
68 posts
#18 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Just a quick update:

calc rulz, sorry you didn't make USAMO =(. I heard you had the 8 on AIME, but only a 122 on the AMC12, so you did not make the floor ...

also, congrats Gaurav! Who else from ... your school... qualified? (I was the only one from Klein; Akash actually only got a 6 on aime! and our sophmore dude owned himself ... I won't even get into that =D)

Anyway, congrats to all others that made USAMO (AIME score of 8 (with at least a 212 index) for us young people, index of 217 for you older people), and best of luck. I only hope that people will continue to expand this thread to help new test-takers out.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
calc rulz
1126 posts
#19 • 4 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247, Mango247, Mango247
So I really did qualify, now I will have to start preparing for USAMO. So here is my to do list:

Just go and look at some important inequality, geometry, and/or any other theorems/tools/tactics I should know (then should I do problems specifically related to these theorems, does anyone know where I can find such problems as such?)

Next I will look through AaCoPS, picking out tools, problems, and some other advice (does anyone recommend any particular sections?)

Finally I will start to go through USAMO problems, contemplating them until I'm not getting anywhere, then looking at the solution and seeing what I was doing wrong and doing right (I heard other olympiads are easier and are better for someone starting to do olympiad-level problems, does anyone recommend any particular country olympiads?)

I would appreciate comments on this plan, including adding things to the plan, taking things off the plan, editing parts of the plan, or a comment that it is a good plan if it is.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
Fermatprime
312 posts
#20 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
calc rulz wrote:
Finally I will start to go through USAMO problems, contemplating them until I'm not getting anywhere, then looking at the solution and seeing what I was doing wrong and doing right (I heard other olympiads are easier and are better for someone starting to do olympiad-level problems, does anyone recommend any particular country olympiads?)


Well...no, but:


The non-calculus parts of the Putnam are designed to be solved in a far shorter time period (approx. 30-40 minutes a problem IIRC - 6 problems in 3 hours, although it's rare that anyone makes a perfect score) than those on most national Olympiads. When it comes to just getting into the proper state of mind to take an Olympiad, I'd highly recommend Putnam problems and USAMOs from before (I believe) 1996. You don't have to contemplate those for as long.


Personally, I go for the full experience - shut myself away for 3 to 4.5 hours and do a full USAMO/IMO. That's what I should be doing now, but I'm taking a short break 2 hours in :blush:
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
calc rulz
1126 posts
#21 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Also remember that this is asking what I should do in a couple weeks, not preparation for next year.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
amitavadhar
100 posts
#22 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
Does anybody also know what a good score to aim for is to get into freshman mop.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
calc rulz
1126 posts
#23 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
amitavadhar wrote:
Does anybody also know what a good score to aim for is to get into freshman mop.

Solve at least one problem.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
h_s_potter2002
1306 posts
#24 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
I think last year it was around 7. But since there's more people this year, I'm thinking at least a 10 maybe?

I dunno cause I've never had any type of erperience with USAMO though.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
probability1.01
2743 posts
#25 • 2 Y
Y by Adventure10, Mango247
It will probably be something like 7. Last year's USAMO was particularly easy.
Z K Y
The post below has been deleted. Click to close.
This post has been deleted. Click here to see post.
K81o7
2417 posts
#26 • 1 Y
Y by Adventure10
Is it generally easier to do well on the usamo the second time doing it than the first? Will the experience in the actual thing be replaceable by doing past problems?

The reason I'm asking is that I think I was capable of doing quite well as usamo this year, but I bombed with lots of careless mistakes on AIME, putting me one below the floor. And I'm a sophomore. So, will having not made usamo this year affect how well I would do at usamo next year?
Z K Y
N Quick Reply
G
H
=
a