The American Math Competition left Carlmont math elites praying to head to the International Mathematical Olympics, along with a relaxed day for non-participants.
Feb. 4 students left their third and fourth period classes to participate in the annual math competition held by the Mathematical Association of America.
The American Math Contest (AMC) tests students ability to complete a variety of math problems ranging in level in 75 minutes.
On Feb. 4 students took the AMC 10/12, a multiple choice exam with 25 questions. The test is designed to increase in difficulty after each question.
Sophomore Abbey Holbrook said, “I decided to take the AMC this year because it can make my college application stand out. Not everyone participates. Participating gives me the choice to include my score if I score high on it, but it is not a requirement.”
The AMC tests requires a combination of Algebra, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus math skills. These skills are used to solve easy to extremely difficult questions.
AMC provides math students a chance to show their ability and compare scores around the world. It is the first step in the series of test to possibly participate the International Math Olympiad, the most prestigious and difficult math competition for young adults in the world.
Sophomore Claire Boman said, “Although I did not participate, I think the AMC is beneficial to math students. Many people can receive an ‘A’ in math, but it is very challenging to qualify for an international math competition.”
The top 1 percent of participants in the AMC 10/12 then compete in the United States of America Invitational Exam, followed by the USA Mathematical Olympiad. Students who complete in these successfully have the opportunity to compete in the International Math Olympics.
Sophomore Alex Singer said, “ I know this year I will do rather poor on the test, but if I practice and compete in the AMC every year, I may have a chance to make the USA Mathematical Olympiad.”
Due to high participation, many classes did little work to prevent certain class periods from falling behind.
Boman said, “In third period, half of my class was gone, so my teacher allowed us to have a study period.”
High level math classes stressed the math contest participation.
Signer said, “Skrable gave us a break that day because his third and fourth period took AMC. He did not want to have classes ahead of each other, so we had a study period.”
