Difference between revisions of "Alcumus"
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Within each subject there are many topics to set as a [[Focus Topic]] to deepen the knowledge of that topic. You can also follow a book from AoPS, use "All Available Topics" or "Let Alcumus Choose a Topic". | Within each subject there are many topics to set as a [[Focus Topic]] to deepen the knowledge of that topic. You can also follow a book from AoPS, use "All Available Topics" or "Let Alcumus Choose a Topic". | ||
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| + | You can also get secret honors and quests. They can give you, but beware, can take away XP. The secret honors are secret and when you get them you most probably won't know why. There are also secret honors which you can get because of performing badly which can take away XP. The quests are missions that msut be done in a limited amount of time to earn. | ||
= Notations & Rules= | = Notations & Rules= | ||
Revision as of 09:09, 3 February 2013
General Idea
Alcumus is a free, educational system that asks questions from the AoPS staff, books, or external contests. AoPS encourages students to use the system. AoPS generates high-quality answers for the students to learn and to do similar problems easily.
Alcumus Subjects
Within each subject there are many topics to set as a Focus Topic to deepen the knowledge of that topic. You can also follow a book from AoPS, use "All Available Topics" or "Let Alcumus Choose a Topic".
You can also get secret honors and quests. They can give you, but beware, can take away XP. The secret honors are secret and when you get them you most probably won't know why. There are also secret honors which you can get because of performing badly which can take away XP. The quests are missions that msut be done in a limited amount of time to earn.
Notations & Rules
AoPS have a special syntax for entering special types of characters in your answers. Examples for commonly occurring types of answers are shown below:
To input a fraction, type x/y where x is the numerator and y is the denominator. 5/6
You can also input this fraction with the LaTeX code for fractions: \frac{5}{6}
To input a square root type \sqrt{x} where x is the radicand (that is, the number inside the radical).
To input 
type:
\pi
A coordinate pair should be entered as (x,y). For example: (4.2,5.2)
A mixed fraction should only be used when the problem specifically asks for a mixed fraction. These should be entered as X y/z, such as: 5 1/3
Coefficients of variables should be written without the multiplication sign: 3x
Multipliers with square roots should be written without the multiplication sign. For example, write 
as
3\sqrt{5}
Powers should be entered with the caret (^) sign. For example, type x squared as
x^2
Scientific notation should be entered as x * 10^y. 6.02 * 10^-23
Occasionally you will encounter multiple choice problems. Simply enter the correct letter for these problems.
Take note of the following for answering problems:
Probabilities, decimal values, and ratios should always be expressed as simplified common fractions unless otherwise specified.
Units of measurement should not be included in your answers. This includes dollar signs.
Do not do any intermediate rounding. Any rounding should be done at the end of the calculation process. (Only round if the problem asks you to round.)
An answer expressed to a lesser degree of accuracy than called for in the problem will not be accepted.
If the answer is a polynomial, put your answer in decreasing degree order. For example, use x^2+3x+2 instead of 3x+2+x^2.
External Links
[1](Be sure to log in before using!)
