
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) is an annual, highly selective high school mathematics competition held in the United States. It is open to U.S. citizens and students residing in the United States and Canada. Students in grades seven through ten who achieve qualifying scores on the AMC 10/12 and American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) are invited to participate in the USAMO. The USAMO is designed for students with a strong understanding of algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics, and it serves as a pathway to representing the United States at the International Mathematical Olympiad.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Who can take the USAMO? | U.S. citizens and students residing in the United States and Canada with qualifying scores. |
How many students qualify for the USAMO? | Approximately 260-270 students. |
What are the requirements? | Students must have a solid command of topics in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics. They should also be proficient in rigorous methods such as induction and proof by contradiction. |
What is the selection process? | Selection is based on the USAMO index, which is defined as AMC 12 Score + 10 * AIME Score. The student with the highest USAMO index from each state, territory, or U.S. possession will be invited to take the USAMO. |
What is the format of the competition? | The USAMO follows the general format of high school competitions, and does not require calculus or related topics. However, proofs using higher mathematics are accepted. Students are allowed to use scratch paper, rulers, compasses, and erasers during the competition. |
What is the goal of the USAMO? | The USAMO is the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions. Top scorers on the USAMO are invited to join the Mathematical Olympiad Program to compete and train to represent the United States at the International Mathematical Olympiad. |
What You'll Learn
- International students must be legal residents of the US or Canada to take the USAMO
- The USAMO is a highly selective high school mathematics competition
- The USAMO does not require calculus or related topics
- The USAMO is approached by students with a solid command of algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics
- The USAMO is the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions
International students must be legal residents of the US or Canada to take the USAMO
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) is a highly selective high school mathematics competition held annually in the United States. Since its debut in 1972, it has served as the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions. The USAMO is only open to U.S. citizens and students residing in the United States and Canada. This means that international students who are not legal residents of the US or Canada are not eligible to take the USAMO.
The USAMO has strict eligibility criteria, and only students currently attending an accredited school or homeschool full-time in the United States or Canada are eligible to participate. This requirement ensures that participants have a strong foundation in mathematics and are well-prepared for the competition. It is important to note that the selection process for the USAMO is based on more than just the student's country of residence.
The USAMO selection process considers the student's USAMO index, which is defined as their AMC 12 Score + 10 * AIME Score. The AMC, or American Mathematics Competition, is the first in a series of competitions that lead up to the USAMO. Students must perform well in the AMC to advance to the next stage, the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Only those who excel in both the AMC and AIME will qualify for the USAMO.
The USAMO is designed to challenge students with a solid command of topics in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics. It also tests their ability to apply rigorous methods such as induction and proof by contradiction. By limiting the participation to US and Canadian residents, the organisers aim to maintain the competition's focus and select the best candidates for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) team.
While the USAMO has strict eligibility criteria regarding residency, it is important to note that the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) reserves the right to invite additional students to participate for the purposes of team selection for the IMO and the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad. These invited participants may include international students who meet specific criteria, demonstrating the MAA's commitment to promoting mathematical excellence on a global scale.
Traveling Inside the US: Expired Visas and International Students
You may want to see also
The USAMO is a highly selective high school mathematics competition
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) is an annual, highly selective high school mathematics competition. It debuted in 1972 and has served as the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC). The AMC is a series of competitions that determine the US representative team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
The USAMO is open to students in grades seven through ten. To qualify for the USAMO, students must first take the AMC 10 or AMC 12. Top-performing students in those competitions are then invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Students who perform exceptionally well in the AMC and AIME will qualify for the USAMO. The USAMO index, defined as 10 times the student's AIME score plus the student's score on the AMC 12 or the AMC 10, is used to determine qualification. The goal is to select about 250-270 of the top scorers from the prior AIME and AMC 12A, 12B, 10A, and 10B contests to participate in the USAMO.
The USAMO requires a solid command of topics in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics, as well as rigorous methods such as induction and proof by contradiction. Students who perform well on the USAMO have considerable experience in solving challenging problems and writing proofs. While the USAMO does not require calculus or related topics, proofs using higher mathematics are accepted.
The USAMO is not just a competition but also a stepping stone for students aspiring to represent the United States at the IMO. The Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP) is a 3-week intensive problem-solving camp held at Carnegie Mellon University to help high school students prepare for the IMO. Invitations to MOP are limited to the top finishers on the USAMO. The results of the USAMO and the Team Selection Tests (TST) are used to select the US team for the IMO.
Maternity Leave Entitlements for International Students: Know Your Rights
You may want to see also
The USAMO does not require calculus or related topics
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) is an annual, highly selective high school mathematics competition held in the United States. It serves as the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions.
USAMO is restricted to approximately 500 participants each year. Students are selected based on their scores on the AMC 10/12 and AIME exams. Students compete in the USAMO if they qualify through their AMC 12 score and in the USAJMO if they qualify through their AMC 10 score.
The USAMO is a six-question, nine-hour mathematical proof competition. Each question is worth up to seven points, which are only awarded for a correct and fully justified solution. Partial but incomplete progress towards a solution typically receives one or two points. The questions test knowledge in algebra, geometry, counting and probability, and number theory. The test covers material typically covered in high school math, including concepts in trigonometry, complex numbers, and logarithms.
International Students in the US: Who is Allowed?
You may want to see also
The USAMO is approached by students with a solid command of algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) is an annual, highly selective high school mathematics competition held in the United States. It was first introduced in 1972 as the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC).
To be eligible to take the USAMO, a participant must be either a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the United States, or a student residing in Canada. The USAMO is best approached by students with a solid command of topics in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics. Students who excel in the USAMO typically have considerable experience in solving highly challenging problems and writing proofs. While the USAMO does not require calculus or related topics, proofs using higher mathematics are accepted.
The USAMO is part of a series of competitions that determine the US representative team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The first competition in this series is the American Mathematics Competition (AMC), which consists of the AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12. Students who perform well on the AMC are invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Top scorers on the AMC and AIME qualify for the USAMO or the United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO).
The Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP) is a 3-week intensive problem-solving camp held at Carnegie Mellon University to help high school students prepare for math olympiads, especially the IMO. Invitations are extended to the top finishers on the USAMO and USAJMO, with the additional requirement that participants must not be Canadian. The MOP serves two main purposes: to select and train the US team for the IMO and to train younger students in Olympiad-level problem-solving and broaden their mathematical horizons.
International Student's Guide to Filling Out Form W9
You may want to see also
The USAMO is the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) is a highly selective high school mathematics competition held annually in the United States. Since its debut in 1972, it has served as the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions. The USAMO is the most prestigious stage of the American math competition pathway, showcasing the nation's top mathematical talent and selecting students for further international competitions.
The USAMO is a six-question, nine-hour mathematical proof competition spread out over two days. On each day, four and a half hours are given for three questions. Each question is graded on a scale from 0 to 7, with a score of 7 representing a mathematically sound proof. The USAMO requires students to have a solid command of topics in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics, as well as rigorous methods such as induction and proof by contradiction.
To be eligible to take the USAMO, a participant must be either a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the United States, or a resident of Canada. The competition is restricted to approximately 500 participants each year, with about 270 students qualifying for the USAMO and 230 for the USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO). The selection is based on the USAMO index, which is defined as the AMC 12 Score + 10 * AIME Score. The AMC 10-based index is used for the USAJMO, while the AMC 12-based index is used for the USAMO.
The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) program is a national effort to strengthen the mathematical capabilities of young students and foster a passion for problem-solving. It serves as an initial screening for the USAMO pathway, with the AMC 10 and AMC 12 being challenging competitions that pave the way for further opportunities. High-scoring students on the AMC 10/12 exams may qualify for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), which serves as the second round of the AMC competition series. The AIME is a more challenging examination that tests problem-solving prowess and mathematical ingenuity, helping to identify the top performers who will advance to the USAMO.
International Students: Investing Opportunities and Challenges
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
To be eligible to take the USAMO, a participant must be either a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the United States, or a student residing in Canada.
Students must first take the AMC 10 or AMC 12. Top performers in those competitions are then invited to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Students who perform exceptionally well in those two competitions are then invited to participate in the USAMO.
The United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) is a highly selective high school mathematics competition held annually in the United States.
International students who are not U.S. citizens or legal residents of the United States or Canada cannot take the USAMO.