Awesomemath Academy Classes – Spring 2020

Problem Solving 1
Beginner: Problem Solving 1
In-person classes intended for students who are new to the joys of problem-solving and want to learn concepts and techniques beyond the standard school curriculum. This course will help students build a solid foundation for their first math competition and give them the fundamentals they need to learn math at the next level.

Is this class for you? Please review this readiness guide before registering to ensure the class is the right fit.

Level Beginner
When 9:30am - 11:00am, Saturdays
9:30am - 11:00am, Sundays
Who Best suited for children from 4th grade to 7th grade. Exceptional 3rd graders and older kids lacking the fundamentals have been known to succeed in this class as well! Good for kids gearing up for the AMC 8 or those who do not have much (or any) experience in math competitions or who just love math.
Class Size Maximum 20 students, minimum of 6
Tuition $495
Schedule
Spring 2020 Semester:
Saturdays
January: 11, 18, 25
February: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
March: 21, 28
April: 4, 18
No classes: Mar 7, Mar 14, Apr 11
 
Sundays
January: 12, 19, 26
February: 2, 9, 16, 23
March: 1, 22, 29
April: 5, 19
No classes: Mar 8, Mar 15, Apr 12
Student Support If students have questions or concerns, they can discuss them with their instructor before and/or after class as well as by email. Emailed questions will be answered within 24 hours. Parents can help their students by guiding them towards constructing well thought out questions.
Class Structure 30-45 minute lesson where a new concept is taught using a class discussion and example problems, followed by time for the students to work together on solving problems, asking questions, and receiving guidance on using the best methods to solve the problems. Students will be assigned 2-3 problems per week as homework, to benefit from the class a minimum of one hour a week outside of class should be spent on these problems practicing the concepts that were learned. However, students should not expect to achieve full mastery of the material by doing only the minimum, and to get the absolute most out of the class they should attempt more problems from the handout daily and seek advice during instructor office hours.
Curriculum The following is a list of topics to be covered over the course of a year in class (each math course is designed to be taken for a minimum of two semesters in order to cover the material/topics necessary to move up to the next level course) with different topics each semester. We cover 3 topics from each area: Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, and Number Theory. These topics may include:
  • Number Theory: Prime Factorization and Factorials, Number Systems, Solving Problems Using Remainders (Modulo), Working with Digits of Numbers, Working with Exponents, Divisibility
  • Geometry: Constructions/Counterexamples, Angle Chasing, Areas (deconstructing), Pythagorean Theorem, Working with Circles
  • Combinatorics: Counting by Rule of Product (choices), Counting Using Choose Function (binomials), Probability, Game Theory
  • Algebra: Common Factors, Solving Linear Equations, Expanding and Factoring, Complex Numbers, Solving Equations involving Absolute Value, Sequences, Formulas, Working with Functions
Suggested Resources (Optional) Math Leads for Mathletes, Volume 1
Math Leads for Mathletes, Volume 2
Additional Benefits Building foundational problem solving skills and practicing thinking through a problem, as well as learning new and interesting kinds of math.
Problem Solving 2
Novice: Problem Solving 2
These are in-person classes and intended for students who have been active in math competitions for a couple of years (obtained mid to high AMC 8 scores up to low to mid AMC 10 scores) and wish to further expand their abilities by consolidating their mathematical foundation to learn more advanced and in-depth concepts that can be applied on math contests and much more.

Is this class for you? Please review this readiness guide before registering to ensure the class is the right fit.

Level Novice
When 11:15am - 12:45pm, Saturdays
Who Most commonly suited for 7th-10th grade students with some background in competition math.
Class Size Maximum 20 students, minimum of 6
Tuition $495
Schedule
Spring 2020 Semester:
Saturdays
January: 11, 18, 25
February: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
March: 21, 28
April: 4, 18
No classes: Mar 7, Mar 14, Apr 11
Student Support If students have questions or concerns, they can discuss them with their instructor before and/or after class as well as by email. Emailed questions will be answered within 24 hours. Parents can help their students by guiding them towards constructing well thought out questions.
Class Structure The class begins with a 45-60 minute lecture with the remaining time left as a problem session where students are encouraged to work together to solve problems based on the material they have learned as well as ask questions of the instructor and receive guidance on how best to approach the problems.
Students will be assigned 2-3 problems a week as homework with an expected minimum time requirement of 1-2 hours per week to be able to benefit from the class. However, students should not expect to achieve full mastery of the material by doing only the minimum, and to get the absolute most out of the class they should attempt more problems from the handout daily and seek advice during instructor office hours.
Curriculum The following is a list of topics to be covered over the course of a year in class (each math course is designed to be taken for a minimum of two semesters in order to cover the material/topics necessary to move up to the next level course) with different topics each semester. We cover 3 topics from each area: Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, and Number Theory. These topics may include:
  • Number Theory: Prime Factorization and Factorials, Number Systems, Solving Problems Using Remainders (Modulo), Working with Digits of Numbers, Working with Exponents, Divisibility
  • Geometry: Constructions/Counterexamples, Angle Chasing, Areas (deconstructing), Pythagorean Theorem, Working with Circles
  • Combinatorics: Counting by Rule of Product (choices), Counting Using Choose Function (binomials), Probability, Game Theory
  • Algebra: Common Factors, Solving Linear Equations, Expanding and Factoring, Complex Numbers, Solving Equations involving Absolute Value, Sequences, Formulas, Working with Functions
Suggested Resources (Optional) 106 Geometry Problems
111 Problems in Algebra and Number Theory
112 Combinatorics Problems
Additional Benefits Building foundational skills of problem solving and mathematical concepts that can lead to higher-level thinking and ability to function in higher math, ability to reason through problems and concepts for the purpose of writing proofs and learning fun math!
Problem Solving 3
Intermediate: Problem Solving 3
This course is intended for students who have been active in math competitions for a few years (obtained mid to high AMC 10 scores up to qualifying for AIME) and wish to further expand their abilities by consolidating their mathematical foundation to learn more advanced and in-depth concepts that can be applied on math contests and much more.

Is this course for you? Please review this readiness guide before registering to ensure the course is the right fit. If your student can answer 4 questions without assistance, the Intermediate course is the right level and if your student can answer 8 questions without assistance, Advanced is the right level course.

Level Intermediate
When 11:15pm - 12:45pm, Sundays
Who Advanced Middle School or high school student with a good background in math competition
Class Size Maximum 20 students, minimum of 6
Tuition $495
Schedule
Spring 2020 Semester:
Sundays
January: 12, 19, 26
February: 2, 9, 16, 23
March: 1, 22, 29
April: 5, 19
No classes: Mar 8, Mar 15, Apr 12
Class Structure The class begins with a 45-60 minute lecture with the remaining time left as a problem session where students are encouraged to work together to solve problems based on the material they have learned as well as ask questions of the instructor and receive guidance on how best to approach the problems. Students will be assigned 2-3 problems a week as homework with an expected minimum time requirement of 1-2 hours per week to be able to benefit from the class. However, students should not expect to achieve full mastery of the material by doing only the minimum, and to get the absolute most out of the class they should attempt more problems from the handout daily and seek advice during instructor office hours.
Student Support If students have questions or concerns, they can discuss them with their instructor before and/or after class as well as by email. Emailed questions will be answered within 24 hours. Parents can help their students by guiding them towards constructing well thought out questions.
Curriculum We have 3 classes covering topics in each area: Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, and Number Theory.
Fall 2019 Semester:
  • Algebra: Systems of Equations, Sequences and Series, Sums and Products
  • Combinatorics: Coloring Problems, Graph Theory (two weeks)
  • Geometry: Applications of Pythagorean Theorem and Law of Cosines, Trigonometry, Coordinate Computation
  • Number Theory: Divisibility, GCD and LCM, Unique Factorization
Spring 2020 Semester:
  • Algebra: Graphs of Functions, Transformations of Functions, Quadratics and Discriminants
  • Combinatorics: Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion, Geometric Probability, Conditional Probability
  • Geometry: Angles, Similar Triangles, Areas
  • Number Theory: Digit Problems, Floor Function, Arithmetic Functions
Suggested Resources (Optional) 105 Algebra Problems
106 Geometry Problems
108 Algebra Problems
111 Problems in Algebra and Number Theory
112 Combinatorics Problems
115 Trigonometry Problems
Sums and Products
Additional Benefits
  • Working towards guiding the thought process for a wider array of problem types
  • Learn the critical steps to procedurally solve a problem coupled with the tools to approach ANY problem that comes their way as opposed to studying solutions
Help Choosing A Class
Beginning Problem Solvers

This class is right for you if:

  • you are in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade and would like to be challenged beyond the standard school curriculum
  • you are new to math competitions OR have low scores on the AMC 8 and/or MOEMS due to lack of training
Novice Problem Solvers

This class is right for you if:

  • you have mid to high AMC 8 scores
  • you have low to mid AMC 10/12 scores
  • you do not have any math competition experience
  • you solved 6 problems or less on this test. Solutions are here

If you solved at least 7 problems correctly and completely we recommend you take “Intermediate Problem Solvers” class.

Intermediate Problem Solvers

This class is right for you if:

  • you have been active in math competitions for a few years
  • you have high AMC 10/12 scores and barely qualified for AIME
  • you solved at least 7 problems on this test. Solutions are here
Advanced Problem Solvers

This class is right for you if:

  • you scored at least 7 on AIME
  • qualified for USA(J)MO and want to improve your score
  • qualified for MOP