Courses course description course schedule tuition
IDEA MATH provides in-depth enrichments in important mathematical areas, particularly in those fields from which contests problems are drawn: algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory. The program provides four major series for students with different mathematical backgrounds. Each series consists of several 6-weeks courses. There is also a short course from March to May preparing students for the AP Calculus AB and BC tests. All classes meet on Saturdays during the school year. We have tried our best to avoid SAT test dates, major competition (MATHCOUNTS, HMMT, etc.) dates and school vacations. [See courses schedule]
Course list: [2008 - 2009 courses will be posted soon]
Math Clinic (MC) New back to list check schedule
This course is designed to merge our new middle school students as seamlessly as possible into our mathematics program. It is integrated across boundary of algebra and geometry. This course will cover plane and solid geometry (characteristics of angles, triangles, polygons and parallel lines, special angles/triangles/polygons, congruent triangle and similar triangles/polygons), algebra expressions and equations (techniques in solving linear equations, quadratic equations, radical equations, absolute equations, and system equations), inequalities, graphs, rates and distances, and ratios and proportions. The course is intended to help students develop essential skills such as factoring, grouping (in linear and quadratic equations), recognizing roots. This course will also introduce useful techniques and skills for middle school level math competitions.
Junior Math Competition Series (JM1, JM2, JM3, JM4) back to list check schedule
Junior Math Competition Series prepares students for MATHCOUNTS and AMC 8 contests. This series are appropriate for students in grade 6 - 8.
| Courses | Focus |
| JM1 | logic, algebra expression and equations. |
| JM2 | numerical systems, divisibility, and pattern recognition. This course goes hand-in-hand with the AMC 8 |
| JM3 | plane and solid geometry, counting and probability, ratio and proportion. This course goes hand-in-hand with MATHCOUNTS chapter competitions. |
| JM4 | linear function, absolute functions and graphs, more about equations (equations reducible to quadratic equations), more about geometry. This course will help students get a solid foundation for either MATHCOUNTS national competition or further mathematic study. |
Intermediate Math Competition Series (IM1, IM2, IM3, IM4) back to list check schedule
The Intermediate Math Competition Series prepares students for AMC 10, AMC 12, and American Regions Math League contests. This series is appropriate for students in grades 8 - 11. Due to the lack of geometry (analytic and Euclidean) in most high school curriculums, developing geometry is a continuing main theme for all the courses.
| Courses | Focus |
| IM1 | algebra expressions and equations, inequalities, and Euclidean geometry. |
| IM2 | analytic geometry, logic, and number theory topics such as Bezout's identity, Euclidean algorithm, divisibility criteria in the decimal system. |
| IM3 | counting, probability, statistics and combinatorial skills (such as, permutations and combinations, properties of Binomial coefficients, and Inclusion-Exclusion principle) a focal point (in addition to computational geometry). |
| IM4 | Quadratic equation and its discriminants; quadratic function and its extrema; recognizing roots; analyzing functional properties; divisibility; diophantine equations; angle chasing and cyclic quadrilaterals |
Advanced Math Competition Series (AM1, AM2, AM3, AM4) back to list check schedule
Advanced Math Competition Series prepares students for AMC 12, AIME, and HMMT. This series is appropriate for students with a significant background in math competitions. Due to the lack of geometry (analytic and Euclidean) in most high school curriculums, developing geometry is a continuing main theme in all the courses.
| Courses | Focus |
| AM1 | algebra skills and Euclidean geometry. |
| AM2 | logic, number theory and analytic geometry. |
| AM3 | counting, probability, and statistics and combinatorial skills and computational geometry. |
| AM4 |
Introduction to mathematical proof -- methods in Euclidean geometry, and combinatroial and number theory arguments. |
Mathematical Proofs Series (MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4) back to list check schedule
| Courses | Description |
| MP1 | MP1 introduces the methods of mathematical proof such as induction, proof by contradiction, pigeonhole principle, well-ordering principle, and bijective or recursive relations. We will focus on combinatorics problems in addition to properties of triangles. |
| MP2 | MP2 introduces modular arithmetic and properties of polynomials (especially their divisibilities) . Concurrency and collinearity are the foci of the geometry component of this course. |
| MP3 | MP3 emphasizes algebraic topics: classic inequalities, polynomials, series and sequences, and functional equations. The focal point in geometry is circles and geometric transformations. |
| MP4 | MP4 is an in-depth study of residue classes, Fermat's little theorem, Euler's theorem, Euler's totient function, Diophantine equations, and primitive roots. Non-synthetic approaches is the focal point in geometry. |
AP Calculus AB/BC and Beyond (AP1, AP2) back to list check schedule
AP and Beyond prepares students for the AP Calculus exams. This course is not limited to the AP curriculum, and it expands to many topics that will be helpful in future science studies.
| Courses | Description |
| AP1 | AP1 prepares students taking the AP Calculus AB exam, with additional topics in polar coordinates/equations, hyperbolic curves, curvatures, and classification of conic curves. |
| AP2 | AP2 prepares students for the AP Calculus BC exam. We review all the topics covered by a standard AP curriculum, including limits, differentiation and integration, volumes of rotation, Taylor series, and the Lagrange error formula. In addition we will study some additional topics important to later studies in science, including curve lengths, centroids of regions and curves, surface areas of revolving curves, and more advanced differential equations. This course will also tackle many classical problems, such as Buffon's needle problem, Pappus' theorem, Torricelli's law and its applications, revolving solids with equal or proportional surface areas, and Wallace's formula. |
Small Group and Private Lessons back to list more ...
Lessons for all levels of math competitions and standard tests can be arranged to suit small group or individual needs. Please call (603)772-2336 to inquire.