AMC 10/12

This class covers essential topics including algebra, geometry, counting & probability and number theory in AMC 10, 12, and AIME in a more profound way. Most  examples and problems in weekly assignments will be actual AMC and AIME problems in the past. Every week students get homework and in the next class, we will fully discuss these problems  in weekly assignments, and then continue to review new topics. 

Counting & probability is either missed in high school math or is taught in a shallow way, like a dragonfly touching the water surface. We teach probability and count in more profound way for AMC + AIME problems.

We plan to do significant work on geometry since students’ ability to solve medium to difficult geometry problems plays a crucial factor for them to be able to pass AMC or AMC + AIME or not.

On the way, we help students to develop trial, fearless spirit: try whatever they can think about to tackle a given problem. Roughly for students who do all assignments, fully understand our class materials and be able to use them to solve AMC and AIME problems, they significantly raise their chance to pass AMC, even to pass AIME.

 

Three books listed in the curriculum provide additional materials for students to study, and they  are optional. Students are expected to do weekly assignments.  

We encourage group discussion in class. 

Class Outline  

This class covers essential topics in AMC 10, 12, and AIME in more profound way. Most  examples and problems in weekly assignments will be actual AMC and AIME problems in the  past: roughly 85% AMC and 15% AIME. Every week students get homework and in next class,  we will fully discuss these problems in weekly assignment, and then continue to review new  topics.  

Three books listed in the curriculum provide additional materials for students to study, and they  are optional. Students are expected to do weekly assignments.  

We encourage group discussion in class.  

Class 1  

 Integer equations  

 Quadratic functions  

 Vieta’s formula  

 Fundamental theorem of algebra  

 Geometry: Similar triangles  

 Similar shapes  

 Probability and count: two commonly-used approaches  

Class 2 

 Multiplication and addition principles  

 Permutation and combination  

 Binomial theorem  

 Pigeon-hole principle  

 Venn Diagram  

Class 3  

 Probability and count: Recursion  

 Exponents and Log  

 Function and inverse function  

 Polynomial remainder  

 Sequence and series  

 Arithmetic and geometric sequences  

Class 4 

 Recursive sequences  

 Sequence and inequality  

 Linear functions  

 Algebraic identities and equivalent transformations   Absolute value  

Class 5  

 Complex numbers  

 Complex plane, DeMorvre theorem  

 Triangles  

 Similar and congruent triangles, Triangle inequalities   Ratio of areas of triangles  

 Similar shapes  

Class 6  

 Medians and centroid  

 Angle bisectors and in-center  

 Perpendicular bisectors and circum-center   Triangle areas (7 approaches)  

 Circles  

 Tangent lines  

Class 7 

 Inscribed angles  

 Power theorem  

 External secant theorem  

 Circular sectors  

 Parallel lines  

 Tangent circles  

Class 8  

 Polygon and angles  

 Quadrilaterals, Rhombus, Rectangles, Squares   Circles and polygon  

 Ptolemy’s theorem  

 Shoelace theorem  

 Pick’s theorem  

Class 9  

 3D geometry  

 Euler’s formula  

 Trigonometry  

 Trig identity  

 New period and starting point  

 Trig equation  

Class 10  

 Polar coordinates  

 Inverse trig functions  

 Cos law, sin law  

 Stewart theorem  

 Analytic geometry  

Class 11  

 2D, 3D distance  

 Point-line distance, point-plane distance   Vectors, Inner product, Angle theorem   Lines and vectors  

 Vectors and matrices  

 Rotation  

Class 12 

 Number theory  

 Even and odd numbers  

 Integer remainder  

 Prime factorization  

 Number of divisors  

 GCD and LCM  

Class 13  

 Diophantine equation  

 Absolute value  

 Statistics, mean, median, modes   Arithmetic and geometric means   Basic algebra formulas  

Class 14  

 Floor function  

 Proportion and application problems   Direct and inverse relations  

 Function domain and range  

 Inverse function  

Class 15  

 Polynomial remainder  

 Descarte’s rule  

 Graphs of functions  

 Composition of functions  

 Graph theory  

Class 16  

 Euler path, Euler cycle  

 Inequalities  

 Comprehensive review  

Class 17  

 Application problems  

 Comprehensive review  

Class 18 

 AMC 10 12 problems  

 Comprehensive review  

Class 19  

 AMC 10 12 problems  

 Comprehensive review  

Class 20  

 AMC 10 12 problems  

 Comprehensive review 

Three books:  

1. First Steps for Math Olympians by J. Douglas Faires  
2. the Art of Problem Solving Volume 1: the BASICS by Sandor Lehoczky, Richard Rusczyk  3. the Art of Problem Solving Volume 2: and Beyond by Richard Rusczyk, Sandor Lehoczky 

Mr. Felix Huang has taught math, computer science, and physics to high school students in learning centers in the Bay Area for over 10 years. He has helped many students pass the AMC 10, 12, and AIME. He also helped several students to advance on USACO Bronze, Silver, Gold to Platinum. He is passionate about helping students overcome their barriers and reach challenging goals. He helped students gain profound understanding on these subjects. He works as software engineer in multiple areas including Java, C++, Python programming, backend data, and optimization problems. As background, he received a M.S. in Math from U of Washington, M.S. in Computer Science from U of Arizona, and a B.S. in Math from National Taiwan University.