Difference between revisions of "American Mathematics Competitions"
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== Curriculum == | == Curriculum == | ||
| − | AMC tests [[mathematical problem solving]] with [[arithmetic]], [[algebra]], [[counting]], [[geometry]], [[number theory]], and [[probability]], with far more cross-over between the subject areas than in most classrooms. | + | AMC tests [[mathematical problem solving]] with [[arithmetic]], [[algebra]], [[counting]], [[geometry]], [[number theory]], and [[probability]], with far more cross-over between the subject areas than in nearly all classrooms. For example, most classrooms only have divisibility rules and little tidbits of number theory, and consider number theory as not a whole branch of mathematics but just a bunch of short cuts whereas the AMCs use number theory much deeper (although elementary, as in with no analysis)ways. Test vary widely in difficulty an. All three of the tests are designed such that no background in [[calculus]], [[analysis]], or any other higher mathematics are needed to take the exams. |
== Chain == | == Chain == | ||
Revision as of 12:19, 1 January 2009
The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) consist of a series of increasingly difficult tests for students in middle school and high school. The AMC sets the standard in the United States for talented high school students of mathematics. The AMC curriculum is both comprehensive and modern. AMC exams are so well designed that some top universities such as MIT now ask students for their AMC scores. "AMC" is also used as an abbreviation for American Math Contest, used to refer to the AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12.
Contents
AMC Contests
In order of increasing difficulty, AMC competitions are
- AMC 8 — for students grades 8 and under.
- AMC 10 — for students grades 10 and under.
- AMC 12 — for students grades 12 and under.
- American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) — high scorers from the AMC 10/12 exams.
- United States of America Mathematics Olympiad (USAMO) — high AIME and AMC scorers.
The top students on the USAMO are invited to participate in the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program, where students train for possible inclusion on the U.S. IMO team.
Curriculum
AMC tests mathematical problem solving with arithmetic, algebra, counting, geometry, number theory, and probability, with far more cross-over between the subject areas than in nearly all classrooms. For example, most classrooms only have divisibility rules and little tidbits of number theory, and consider number theory as not a whole branch of mathematics but just a bunch of short cuts whereas the AMCs use number theory much deeper (although elementary, as in with no analysis)ways. Test vary widely in difficulty an. All three of the tests are designed such that no background in calculus, analysis, or any other higher mathematics are needed to take the exams.
Chain
The AMC tests are the first in a series of test to select the American International Mathematical Olympiad team. High scoring students on the AMC 10 or 12 are allowed to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination. Students who have a high AMC index, or a high score on both the AMCs and the AIME, are allowed to take the United States of America Mathematics Olympiad, the national Olympiad of the United States. There, many high scorers go to the Math Olympiad Summer Program, which is divided into three "colors" depending on how high ones scored. The highest color, black, consists of twelve students, six of whom will form the United States' IMO team.
Resources
Links
Recommended reading
- Introduction to Counting & Probability by Dr. David Patrick. Information
- Introduction to Geometry by Richard Rusczyk. Information
- The Art of Problem Solving Volume I by Sandor Lehoczky and Richard Rusczyk. Information.
- The Art of Problem Solving Volume II by Sandor Lehoczky and Richard Rusczyk. Information.
Preparation Classes
- Art of Problem Solving offers many helpful online classes on topics covered by the AMC exams.
- AoPS holds many free Math Jams, some of which are devoted to discussing problems on the varouis AMC exams.
- EPGY offers AMC contest preparation classes.
