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Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
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Contests & Programs AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
AMC and other contests, summer programs, etc.
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FuturePanda   9
N Today at 5:47 AM by Challengees24
Hi everyone,

I think I got an 81 and 102 for 12A and 10B, sillying way too much on both. I read all of the AOPS books, and I know most of the theorems for the AMC’s I just don’t know which ones to apply to solve the problems. Additionally, I suck at trig, complex, and logarithms. What should I do to improve?

For example, should I be grinding past AIME’s?
I plan on reading most of the Awesomemath books for L3
9 replies
FuturePanda
Yesterday at 5:54 AM
Challengees24
Today at 5:47 AM
What do next?
G H J
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FuturePanda
106 posts
#1
Y by
Hi everyone,

I think I got an 81 and 102 for 12A and 10B, sillying way too much on both. I read all of the AOPS books, and I know most of the theorems for the AMC’s I just don’t know which ones to apply to solve the problems. Additionally, I suck at trig, complex, and logarithms. What should I do to improve?

For example, should I be grinding past AIME’s?
I plan on reading most of the Awesomemath books for L3
Z K Y
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aleyang
178 posts
#2
Y by
Do more problems. That's the only way to learn how to apply those theorems and to learn how to solve future, related problems.
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Tem8
154 posts
#3
Y by
FuturePanda wrote:
Additionally, I suck at trig, complex, and logarithms.
Read AoPS vol 2 + grind. Here is problems on AIME until 2014 sorted by topic. Additionally, you can solve problems from college-hosted competitions like PUMAC, HMMT or MP4G as their difficulty is similar to AIME.
Also read this post.
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WheatNeat
83 posts
#5
Y by
iufor wrote:
Hello
To improve your performance on AMC and AIME, here's a focused strategy:

Target Weak Areas: Since you mentioned struggling with trigonometry, complex numbers, and logarithms, prioritize mastering these topics. Use focused resources like Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) to build a strong foundation. Revisit the related chapters and practice targeted problems. Consider supplementing with videos or other materials that offer different explanations to ensure comprehension.

Review Problem-Solving Strategies: You've read the AoPS books and know theorems, but the challenge is applying them correctly. Focus on recognizing patterns in problems that indicate which theorem or strategy to use. Practice categorizing problems by type and think through which strategies are effective for each.

Practice with Purpose: Grinding past AIMEs can be valuable, but don't just aim to solve problems—analyze them. After attempting each problem, thoroughly review the solutions, noting how concepts were applied and where you went wrong. Identify any recurring gaps in your problem-solving approach.

Use Timed Practice: The pressure during actual exams can affect performance. Do timed mock tests to simulate real conditions. Focus on time management and learn to balance between accuracy and speed, aiming to avoid "silly" mistakes.

Focus on Higher-Level Resources: Your plan to read Awesomemath books for L3 is sound—they offer challenging problems that can push you beyond the AMC/AIME level. This will deepen your understanding and give you exposure to advanced techniques.

Engage in Math Communities: Utilize forums like the AoPS community to ask questions, share solutions, and learn from others. Discussing problems with peers often helps in gaining new insights.

The moment I saw "here's a focused strategy" I knew it was chatgpted :rotfl:
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FuturePanda
106 posts
#6
Y by
lol me too
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Challengees24
432 posts
#7
Y by
In the 10's, 10's, where do you see trig, complex, and logs?
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FuturePanda
106 posts
#8
Y by
I mean 12’s
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Challengees24
432 posts
#9
Y by
I mean your in 7th grade right? Why take the 12, by the time your a junior you will have SO much practice with all of that? If you take the 10's you can work on those skills...
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FuturePanda
106 posts
#10
Y by
true, but AIME has trig/log/complex

Thanks for the advice though!
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Challengees24
432 posts
#11
Y by
oh yea true...trig/log/complex are not hard concepts at all so probably just practice if you want to get good at them, also what math are you taking because learning it in school(algebra 2) is helpful
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