What is the MAA AMC (American Mathematics Competitions)?
The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) is a series of competitions organized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). On this stage, mathematical geniuses of all ages and backgrounds gather to test their mathematical abilities.
The AMC is an annual competition that presents participants with challenging mathematical problems to push the boundaries of problem-solving and critical thinking. The competition is divided into several stages: AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12, each tailored to different age groups.
This competition is part of a global network that connects math enthusiasts from around the world. It's like a math family reunion, where enthusiasts from different countries come together with a passion for numbers.
Goals and Mission
The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) has a clear mission: to help high school students improve their problem-solving skills and mastery of mathematics. These competitions go beyond typical school curricula, offering challenging problems that require critical thinking and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. The ultimate goal is to ignite a genuine love for the subject among participants.
Furthermore, the AMC plays a vital role in recognizing outstanding mathematical talent and fostering academic excellence through a spirit of friendly competition. It provides students with a starting point for deeper exploration of advanced mathematics, preparing them for future studies and careers in mathematics and related fields.
Who is it for?
AMC 8: Students in Grade 8 or below and under 14.5 years of age on the day of the competition are eligible to take the AMC 8.
AMC 10: The AMC 10 is for students in Grade 10 and below, covering high school courses up to Grade 10. Students in Grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years of age on the day of the competition can take the AMC 10.
AMC 12: The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum, including trigonometry, higher algebra, and higher geometry, but excluding calculus. Students in Grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the competition can take the AMC 12.
AIME: The American Invitational Mathematics Competition (AIME) is only open to those who excel in the AMC 10 and/or AMC 12.
USA (J)MO: The highest-scoring AMC 12 participant (based on a combination of AMC 12 and AIME scores) is invited to the USAMO. The highest-scoring AMC 10 participant (based on a combination of AMC 10 and AIME scores) is invited to the USAJMO. U.S. citizens and students studying in the U.S. and Canada (with qualifying scores) are eligible to participate in both the USAMO and USAJMO.
Categories
The American Mathematics Competitions are a series of tests designed to develop problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge in middle and high school students. It offers many competition categories. Let's take a look at them.
Competition Format
| Competition Category | Competition Format |
| AMC8 | The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute multiple-choice exam. |
| AMC 10/12 （A） | AMC 10/12A are both high school mathematics exams consisting of 25 multiple-choice questions over 75 minutes. |
| AMC 10/12 （B） | It has the same exam format as AMC 10/12A. |
| AIME | AIME is a 15-question, 3-hour exam. |
| USA (J)MO | The USA (J)MO is a six-question, two-day, nine-hour essay/proofreading exam. |
Exam Syllabus
The following are the topics covered in every US math competition test.
| Topics: |
| Arithmetic |
| Algebra |
| Probability |
| Number Theory |
| Geometry |
| Combinatorics |
Example questions
Algebra: Solve for x: 2x2+5x−3=0
Geometry:Calculate the area of a triangle with sides measuring 8 cm, 15 cm, and 17 cm.
Number Theory:Find the remainder when 17^3 is divided by 5.
Combinatorics:In how many ways can you arrange the letters in the word "AMC"?
Probability:If you roll a fair six-sided die twice, what is the probability of getting a sum of 7?
