Overview

We create our curriculum to enable our students to complete Geometry in their 8^th grade, if not earlier.  The curriculum also enables gifted students to learn Physics Problem Solving in 8^th or 9^th grade.  We offer two problem solving tracks.  The Academic Acceleration Track offers problem solving companion courses to Pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry.  The goal is to build a solid math foundation so the students can accelerate and do well in math classes and receive good score on PSAT and SAT tests.  The advanced students can also jump-start physics, computer science, and other problem solving classes in science.  The Math Olympiad Track prepares students for major math competitions at middle school and high school levels. Depends on students’ personal interests and priorities, they can find meaningful and challenging programs to meet their needs.  Our educational goals for the intermediate group are:

• Participate in regional and national math competitions (MATHCOUNTS, MOEMS, and AMC)

• Join national talent search programs (e.g., JHU CTY/SET by scoring 700 or above in SAT I before the age of 13)

• Obtain placement in high school honors and Advanced Placement classes in math and science in 9^th grade.

E110 - Honors Pre-Algebra Problem Solving

This course assumes you will concurrently enroll in a Pre-Algebra class either at your school, at a local community college, or via distance learning programs such as CTY, EPGY or Avid Academy.  You can also purchase a self-study web-based multimedia Pre-Algebra course from Avid Academy. 

The purpose of this course is to teach problem solving strategies and techniques related to Pre-Algebra and Number Theory.

If you have just completed Pre-Algebra, this course will fill in the gaps and add depth to your Pre-Algebra knowledge and give you a solid problem solving foundation for Honors Algebra I. 

Problem solving topics include:

• Pre-Algebra (45%): Fractions, decimals, exponents, proportional reasoning, statistics, linear equations and inequalities.
• Number Theory (40%): Prime and composite numbers, divisors, product of divisors, unit digits, repeat decimals, and Diophantine Equations.
• Test Skills (15%): California Math League, Math Olympiad Division E, and other math contest problems will be used to cover additional problem solving topics and techniques.  These skills will enable you to do well on similar problems found on standardized tests (ISEE/SSAT) or GATE entrance tests (CAT 6 and CST).  You will also be ready for CTY Talent Search.

E120 - Honors Algebra I Problem Solving

This course assumes you will concurrently enroll in an Algebra I class either at your school, at a local community college, or via distance learning programs such as CTY, EPGY or Avid Academy.  You can also purchase a self-study web-based multimedia Pre-Algebra course from Avid Academy. 

The purpose of this course is to teach problem solving strategies and techniques related to Algebra I and Counting & Probabilities.  It also covers all algebra problem solving topics and techniques needed for SAT I and PSAT Math.

If you have just completed Algebra, this course will fill in the gaps and add depth to your Algebra knowledge and give you a solid problem solving foundation for Honors Algebra II. 

Problem solving topics include:

• Algebra (45%): Properties of real number, inequalities, absolute value and equations, rational equations and inequalities, exponents, binomials, polynomials, roots and radicals, direct and inverse variations, linear equations, quadratic equations, arithmetic sequences & series, and geometric sequences & series.
• Counting and Probabilities (40%): Basic counting methods, Venn Diagrams, casework, permutations, combinations, probabilities, properties of probabilities, geometric probabilities, Pascal's triangle, and binomial theorem.
• Test Skills (15%): California Math League, Math Olympiad Division M, MATHCOUNTS and other math contest problems will be used to cover additional problem solving topics and techniques.  These skills will enable you to do well on similar problems found on standardized tests (PSAT and SAT I Math).  You will have all the algebra knowledge needed for SAT I and PSAT exam.

E130 - Honors Geometry and Problem Solving

This course assumes you will concurrently enroll in a Geometry class either at your school, at a local community college, or via distance learning programs such as CTY, EPGY.

The purpose of this course is to teach problem solving strategies and techniques related to Geometry.  It also covers all geometry problem solving topics and techniques needed for SAT I and PSAT Math.  The completion of E120 and E130 give you the complete knowledge needed for SAT I and PSAT Math exam.

If you have just completed Geometry, this course will fill in the gaps and add depth to your Geometry knowledge and give you a solid problem solving foundation for advanced math classes in high school. 

Problem solving topics include:

• Geometry (45%): angles, congruent triangles, right triangles, similiar triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, power of a point, 3-D geometry, curved surfaces, and other problem solving strategies in geometry.
• Mixed Topics (55%): MATHCOUNTS, AMC 8, AMC 10, and other math contest problems will be used to cover additional problem solving topics and techniques.  You will also learn how to write good mathematical solutions.  These skills will enable you to do well on similar problems found on standardized tests (PSAT and SAT I Math) and prepare you for high school math curriculum.  You will have all the math knowledge needed for the math component of the SAT I and PSAT exam.

E420 - Introduction to Number Theory

Number Theory is the study of counting numbers.  Recently, there is a great resurgence of interest in Number Theory with its application in Cryptography and Internet Security.  In addition, Number Theory problems often appear in math competitions and standardized tests.  Therefore, the mastery of Number Theory becomes critical for students to achieve top scores in SAT/ACT and math competitions.

In this class, you will learn the fundamental principles of Number Theory, including primes and composites, divisors and multiples, divisibility and remainders, continued fractions, modular arithmetic, Euclidean Algorithm, Diophantine Equations, and Fibonacci Numbers.

E430 - Introduction to Counting & Probability

This class is ideal for students who have mastered basic algebra, such as solving linear equations, but received superficial instruction at their school on the important subject of counting and probability.  It tries to fill the gaps and provide you with an opportunity to master the basic concept and problem solving techniques related to counting and probability.

In this class, you will learn the basics of counting and probability topics such as permutations, combinations, Pascal's Triangle, basic combinatorial identities, expected value, fundamentals of probability, geometric probability, the Binomial Theorem, and much more.  The class is designed to inspire you to explore new techniques and develop new ideas in solving counting and probability problems.