Curriculum
IDEA MATH provides an extensive curriculum. Our courses are intended for able students who wish to expand their mathematics knowledge beyond regular classroom settings. We emphasize study skills (such as taking notes, oral and written presentations, listening, observing, organization, etc). We believe in studying math via problem solving as a medium to develop students' learning interests, problem solving, and critical thinking abilities. Our courses cover a broad range of topics with more depth than most contests require. While our programs are not intended to be boot camps for contest preparation, many of our students participate in contests and do well in them. We offer five different series: School Enrichment (SE) Series, Extra Curricular (EC) Series, Accelerated Championship (XC) Series, Contest Edge (CE) Series, Math Olympiad (MO) Series and Winter Contest Prep program.
Full courses are offered for the SE, EC, XC, and MO series. Please see the following course flow chart for relations between these full courses.
Each of the Contest Edge (CE) Series and the Winter Contest Prep program can be considered as a supplement to any of the SE/EC/XC/MO series. Each of the courses in the CE and Winter program provides additional practice for contests such as MATHCOUNTS school/chapter/state/national, AMC8/10/12, AIME, ARML, HMMT, USAJMO, USAMO, etc. Please see the following course flow chart for relations between the CE series/Winter program and the SE/EC/XC/MO series
School Enrichment(SE) Series
| PC0/Pre-Algebra 1 | |
|---|---|
| School Extension Component: |
Pre-Algebra 1 |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
Arithmetic techniques, number sense, pattern recognition, and word problems. Contest reference: CML, Intro AMC8. |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 4th and 5th graders |
| Sample Lectures: | Sample Syllabus and Lectures |
| PCA/Pre-Algebra 2 | |
|---|---|
| School Extension Component: |
Pre-Algebra 2 |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
more on arithmetic techniques, number sense, patterns recognition, and word problems; getting familiar with shapes and figures, counting basics. Contest reference: CML, Intro AMC8. |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 4th, 5th, and 6th graders |
| Sample Lectures: | Sample Syllabus and Lectures |
| Algebra 1 | |
|---|---|
| School Extension Component: |
Algebra 1 based, problem-solving oriented |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 6th and 7th graders |
| Sample Lectures: | ALG1 Sample Syllabus ALG1 Sample Lecture 1 ALG1 Sample Lecture 2 |
| Geometry | |
|---|---|
| School Extension Component: |
Geometry based course, problem-solving oriented |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 7th and 8th graders |
| Sample Lectures: | Geometry Sample Syllabus Geometry Sample Lecture 1 Geometry Sample Lecture 2 |
| Algebra 2 | |
|---|---|
| School Extension Component: |
Algebra 2 |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 7th, 8th, and 9th graders who have completed IDEA MATH PCX or UC1 or equivalent |
| Sample Lectures: | ALG2 Sample Syllabus ALG2 Sample Lecture 1 ALG2 Sample Lecture 2 |
Extra-Curricular(EC) Series
| PC0/Pre-Algebra 1 | |
|---|---|
| School Enrichment Component: |
Pre-Algebra 1 |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
arithmetic techniques, number sense, pattern recognition, and word problems. Contest reference: CML, Intro AMC8. |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 4th and 5th graders |
| Sample Lectures: | Sample Syllabus and Lectures |
| PCA/Pre-Algebra 2 | |
|---|---|
| School Enrichment Component: |
Pre-Algebra 2 |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
more on arithmetic techniques, number sense, patterns recognition, and word problems; getting familiar with shapes and figures, counting basics. Contest reference: CML, Intro AMC8. |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 4th, 5th, and 6th graders |
| Sample Lectures: | Sample Syllabus and Lectures |
| PC1 (covering IM1 and MC1) | |
|---|---|
| School Enrichment Component: |
Integrated Math 1 (IM1): Algebra 1 based |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
Math Challenges 1 (MC1). Contest reference: Intro to medium level AMC8 and school rounds of MATHCOUNTS |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 6th and 7th graders who have an excellent command of Pre-Algebra (some familiarity with Algebra 1 is welcome) and some experience with extracurricular activities such as AMC8 and MATHCOUNTS or equivalent. (For example, students who have completed IDEA MATH's PC0 course or equivalent.) |
| Sample lectures: | Math Challenges 1 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Challenges 1 Counting Sample Lecture Math Challenges 1 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 1 Number Sample Lecture Integrated Math 1 Sample Lecture |
| PC2(covering IM2 and MC2) | |
|---|---|
| School Enrichment Component: |
Integrated Math 2 (IM2): Algebra 1 based |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
Math Challenges 2 (MC2).
Contest reference: Medium level AMC8, intro level AMC10, school and chapter rounds of MATHCOUNTS |
| Intended For: | Able and interested 6th, 7th graders who have good command on Algebra and experience with extracurricular activities such as AMC8 and MATHCOUNTS or equivalent.
(For example, students who have completed IDEA MATH's PC1 course or equivalent.) |
| sample lectures: | Math Challenges 2 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Challenges 2 Counting Sample Lecture Math Challenges 2 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 2 Number Sample Lecture Integrated Math 2 Sample Lecture |
| PCX (covering IM3 and MC3) | |
|---|---|
| School Enrichment Component: |
Integrated Math 3 (IM3): Advanced Algebra 1 and Geometry based |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
Math Challenges 3 (MC3).
Contest reference: Advanced level AMC8, intro to medium level AMC 10, chapter and state rounds of MATHCOUNTS |
| Intended For: | Students who have completed IDEA MATH PC2 course or equivalent.
(As a general reference, students shall have an AMC10 score close to 90.) |
Sample lectures: | Integrated Math 3 Algebra Sample Lecture Integrated Math 3 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 3 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Challenges 3 Counting Sample Lecture Math Challenges 3 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 3 Number Sense Sample Lecture |
| UC1 (covering IM4 and MC4) | |
|---|---|
| School Enrichment Component: |
Integrated Math 4 (IM4): Advanced Algebra 1 and Geometry based |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
Math Challenges 4 (MC4).
Contest reference: Medium level AMC 10, intro level AMC12 and AIME, state and national rounds of MATHCOUNTS |
| Intended For: | Students who have completed IDEA MATH's PCX course or equivalent.
(As a general reference, students should have an AMC10 score close to 105.) |
| sample lectures: | Integrated Math 4 Algebra Sample Lecture Integrated Math 4 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 4 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Challenges 4 Counting Sample Lecture Math Challenges 4 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 4 Number Sense Sample Lecture |
| UC2 (covering IM5 and MC5) | |
|---|---|
| School Enrichment Component: |
Integrated Math 5(IM5): Advanced Algebra 2 and Geometry and Trigonometry based |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
Math Challenges 5 (MC5).
Contest reference: Medium to advanced level AMC 10, medium level AMC12, intro to medium level AIME, state and national rounds of MATHCOUNTS, intro to medium level HMNT |
| Intended For: | Students who have completed IDEA MATH's UC1 course or equivalent.
(As a general reference, students should have an AMC10 score close to 120.) |
| Sample lectures: | Integrated Math 5 Algebra Sample Lecture Integrated Math 5 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 5 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Challenges 5 Counting Sample Lecture Math Challenges 5 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 5 Number Sense Sample Lecture |
| UC3 (covering IM6 and MC6) | |
|---|---|
| School Enrichment Component: |
Integrated Math 6(IM6): Advanced Algebra 2 and Geometry and Trigonometry based |
| Extra-curricular Component: |
Math Challenges 6 (MC6).
Contest reference: Advanced level AMC 10, medium level AMC12 and AIME, state and national rounds of MATHCOUNTS, medium level HMNT |
| Intended For: | Students who have completed IDEA MATH's UC2 course or equivalent.
(As a general reference, students shall have an AIME score close to 6.) |
| Sample lectures: | Integrated Math 6 Algebra Sample Lecture Integrated Math 6 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 6 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Challenges 6 Counting Sample Lecture Math Challenges 6 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Challenges 6 Number Sense Sample Lecture |
Accelerated Championship (XC) Series
| XC7 | |
|---|---|
| Course content: | XC7 Part 1/2/3 (parametric equations, vector operations, 3-D geometry, advanced trigonometry; advanced 3-D geometry, matrices and vector operations; introduction to Calculus with an emphasis on proofs/math reasoning; and all the related contest extensions. |
| Prerequisites and general student body: | (1)passing UC3 (or above) with good marks; or
(2) with a USAJMO/USAMO index close to (or above) the official USAJMO/USAMO cutoff, and solid work on the T4 placement test; This course is for 7th, 8th and 9th graders in general. |
| Sample lectures: |
XC7 part1 Sample Lecture XC7 part2 Sample Lecture XC7 part3 Sample Lecture |
| XC9 | |
|---|---|
| Course content: | Calculus AB with an emphasis on proofs and extensions to (college level) math contests |
| Prerequisites and general student body: | (a) for younger students: passing XC7 and MO1 with good marks; or
(b) for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders: with a USAJMO/USAMO index close to (or above) the official USAJMO/USAMO cutoff, and excellent work in the T4 placement. This course is for 8th, 9th, and 10th graders in general. |
| Sample lectures: |
XC9 Sample Lecture |
| XC10 | |
|---|---|
| Course content: | Calculus BC with an emphasis on proofs and extensions to (college level) math contests |
| Prerequisites and general student body: | passing XC9 with good marks;
This course is for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders in general |
| Sample lectures: |
XC10 Sample Lecture |
Math Olympiad (MO) Series
| MO1 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | Math Olympiads 1:
Contest reference: Advanced level AMC10 and AMC12, medium to advanced level AIME and HMNT, intro level HMMT |
| Intended For: | Students who have completed IDEA MATH's XC7 course or equivalent.
As a general reference, students shuold have an USAJMO/USAMO index close to (or above) the official USAJMO/USAMO cutoff. If a student has not completed XC7 but has placed in the top 75% on the USAJMO, please contact info@ideamath.org for special permission---likely, the student will be required to take a T4 placement test. |
Sample lectures: |
Math Olympiads 1 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 1 Combinatorics Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 1 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 1 Number Theory Sample Lecture |
| MO2 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | Math Olympiads 2:
Contest reference: Advanced level AMC10 and AMC12, medium to advanced level AIME and HMNT, medium level HMMT -- optional |
| Intended For: | Students who have completed IDEA MATH XC9 and MO1 courses or equivalent.
As a general reference, students should have a solid performance (i.e., making the top 50%) on the |
Sample lectures: |
Math Olympiads 2 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 2 Combinatorics Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 2 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 2 Number Theory Sample Lecture |
| MO3 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | Math Olympiads 3:
Contest reference: Advanced level AMC10 and AMC12, advanced level AIME and HMNT, medium level HMMT -- optional |
| Intended For: | Students who have completed IDEA MATH XC9, XC10, and MO2 courses or equivalent.
As a general reference, students should have a solid performance (i.e., making the top 50%) on the USAMO. |
Sample lectures: |
Math Olympiads 3 Algebra Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 3 Combinatorics Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 3 Geometry Sample Lecture Math Olympiads 3 Number Theory Sample Lecture |
Contest Edge (CE) Series
| CE1 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | This course provides additional contest practice. It is also a great supplementary course for the PC1 and Algebra 1 courses. |
| Intended For: | Goal: A pleasant start on AMC8 and MATHCOUNTS school/chapter round;
General scoring reference: AMC8 score 10 or above; Recommended companion course: CE1 is a good supplementary course for PC1 (Extra-Curricular series) or Algebra 1 (School Enrichment series). |
Sample lectures: | Coming Soon |
| CE2 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | This course provides additional contest practice. It is also a great supplementary course for the PC2 and Geometry courses. |
| Intended For: | Goal: A solid job on AMC8 and MATHCOUNTS school/chapter round;
General scoring reference: AMC8 score 16 or above; Recommended companion course: CE2 is a good supplementary course for PC2 (Extra-Curricular series). |
Sample lectures: | Coming Soon |
| CE3 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | This course provides additional contest practice. It is also a great supplementary course for the PCX and Geometry courses. |
| Intended For: | Goal: A pleasant start on AMC10 and a solid job on MATHCOUNTS chapter/state round;
General scoring reference: AMC8 score 20 or above and/or AMC10 score around 90; Recommended companion course: CE3 is a good supplementary course for PCX (Extra-Curricular series) or Geometry (School Enrichment series). |
Sample lectures: | Coming Soon |
| CE4 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | This course provides additional contest practice. It is also a great supplementary course for the UC1 and Algebra 2 courses. |
| Intended For: | Goal: A solid job on AMC10, a pleasant start on AIME, an excellent job on MATHCOUNTS chapter/state round.
General scoring reference: AMC10 around 100; Recommended companion course: CE4 is a good supplementary course for UC1 (Extra-Curricular series) or Algebra 2 (School Enrichment series). |
Sample lectures: | Coming Soon |
| CE5 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | This course provides additional contest practice. It is also a great supplementary course for the UC2, UC3, XC7 and Algebra 2 courses. |
| Intended For: | Goal: A solid job on AMC10/12, a solid job on AIME, an excellent job on MATHCOUNTS state round.
General scoring reference: AMC10 score around 110 and AIME score around 6; Recommended companion course: CE5 is a good supplementary course for UC2 (Extra-Curricular series). |
Sample lectures: | Coming Soon |
| CE6 | |
|---|---|
| Course Content | This course provides additional contest practice. It is also a great supplementary course for the UC3 and XC7 courses. |
| Intended For: | Goal: An excellent job on AMC10/12 and AIME;
General scoring reference: USAJMO/USAMO index (AMC10/12 score + 10* AIME score) are consistently above 190; Recommended companion course: CE6 is a good supplementary course for UC3 (Extra-Curricular series). |
Sample lectures: | Coming Soon |