MAA-BIH ORG

Right now I am a high school freshman, but I want to get into a REALLY good college when the time comes (like Harvard or something).

My grades for this year so far are 3 A+’s, two A’s, and a B+.

I play three sports (cross country, swimming, and track), though I do not excel particularly in either of them (however, our school’s swim team is very prestigious–do you think being on a very good swim team would look good for college, even if I myself am not a very fast swimmer?)

I go to a good school and am also fluent in a foreign language.

Would all of these things look good for college? Also, how good does simply playing a sport look for college–or would you have to be really extraordinary at a sport for it to actually count?

Should I try to participate more in math competitions and/or debate club? (Also, if I did, would I also have to excel at that for it to look good for college?)

Also, what other things should I do to better my chances of a good college?
and, in general, what are the requirements to get into really good colleges such as harvard, etc.?

any and all info would help! (in as much detail as possible please!)

thanx! =]
also, do your health and physical education grades count towards your GPA (not your "school GPA" but the one that colleges actually get to see?)

yah your fine, make sure to do good in your ACT tho

youll go thro that in your jr or senior yr

also concentrate your grades in your JR yr

Math-section!!!! I draw the attention of young students and opinion of top contributors of math section as to whether there is a need to split the section into 2 parts viz
> mathematics, and
> Applied mathematics

Presently, I think neither the young students are being squarely benefited nor YA able to coordinate affairs of math section properly. There is lot of volume exchange from students and wishful meandering of difficult problems by top contributors. Bulk voting and multiple similar solutions are also problems of concern for young students who get perplexed by TUs/TDs given randomly favorites/foes. Applied math question will engage top contributors interest fully and when free they can help other math section category.

Something similar could be designed for physics section as well.

There are my observations, and you may be having your own set.

Please comment!!
YA staff is invited to opine/clarify
i would even go to the extent of proposing > mathematical physics sub-section
Mr Daftary> it’s not all about TUs/TDs. If your past efforts did go waste with YA then it does not mean that the society will continue to remain curbed as if Hitler continues to rule. We are advancing, and my personal objective is to see something like "mathematical physics" branching out in YA for physics students.

I know logic is absolute, yet for physics, mathematics is only RELATIVE, and benefits cannot be subjected to boundary conditions or limitations of a group/institution (YA).
Scythian1950> Mr Daftary revealed to me that you are too good in math. I respect your knowledge, and will remind myself 10 times before annoying myself to your good self. you views herein are uncompromising to the scale i am asking from.
Try my next quetion please on the same theme, but across boundaries
read above as:

Mind everyone> students are NOT as bad as we top contributors are (not all)!!
read above as:

Mind everyone> students are as bad as we top contributors are (not all)!!
Scythian1950> I have enjoyed most beautful comments from askers in physics, and math as well. But, math is too erratic that too bcause of wrong policies of top contributors!!!
Mind everyone> students are as bad as we top contributors are (not all)!!
write your comments please
Scythian1950> your big brother advice to Rakesh Dubey regarding top contributors is a "sort of red-tape", which speaks volume about a chief warrior trying to square up a JCO (junior commisioned officer).
δoτ > we all agree to the fact that mathematics section is crippled without the facility of text-editor, yet we have devised ways to put across the logical text and equations reasonably well. YA might be having reservations against the editor and its complex symbols that might flood up its system. The problem is not with YA, but with group of sensible people, considering themselves only CONTRIBUTORS – with earned TOP portfolio, who while so intensely competing render the solutions beyond the reach of students. In fact, many math and other questions askers are so sure of multiple voting that they just forget it after asking.
lithiumdeuteride >
The moot point is to keep contributors under a given category, and not the asker’s question. Suppose a TOP-10-contributor (XXX) is busy in applied math then he will have enough suitable material to work with at peace (as Scythian1950 wished) and will not be bothered if question comes therein wrongly, thus lesser mortals (seeking top-10) will contribute to that question. If question is in other math category, then young students will get chance to answer to new askers. I think every asker (so smart these days) is well aware as to where the question should land.
as everyone pointed out that YA is normally under deep SLUMBER on such issues, i take your kind permission to extend the duration of this Qs. Please circulate in your friend circle of members/non-members of YA. Thanks
Thank you Dr D (as also extended to everone else), but the newer ststem will be as true as it seems to you presently. But, a changed mess, whether +vely or -vely, has always brought in progress. Do not worry Scythian1950 could be easily located in an improved mess (applied math) as well.
psbhowmick > very precipitating and honest comments of your goodself. Thanks for stopping and caring herein. Respond to my email to you.

I agree with this opinion that it should be divided with some restrictions in at least three sections 1) Mathematics (day to day life based) 2) Mathematics (academic) 3) Mathematics (applied), but I don’t think that there would be any effect on Y/A system and will take any action about it.

TUs/TDs should be replaced by honest comments (agree with Mr Madhukar.) or if any one gives TU/TD, it should be disclosed. these discussions have been already done but all in vain.

Role of Top contributors here also is not very good (showing off, having multiple profiles, unneccessary comments etc.). Once, I had asked a question and couldn’t select the actual BA, as a result, that answerer got very disappointed (I realised that I made a mistake).I know six - seven top contributors/contributors, who are really highly knowledgeble and I respect them very much and I try to learn from them.

I think that whatever is consistent with right reasoning should be accepted, even though it comes from a boy or even from a parrot; and whatever is inconsistent therewith ought to be rejected, although emanating from an old man or even from the great Mathematician. . .

Thirty-six 1×1x1 cubes are used to make a rectangular prism. How many different rectangular prisms can be made? If there’s a math formula in there, can you tell me what it is?

Considering only unique prisms and not rotations, there are eight.

1,1,36
1,2,18
1,3,12
1,4,9
1,6,6
2,2,9
2,3,6
3,3,4

I wanted to let you know that you inspired me to channel my emotions into art and music. I taught myself how to play some classical music songs on the piano when I was up north. I have also created a painting that is simple in layout and creation, yet masterful at obssessing the eye with beauty. I only wish I had more time to venture where my heart creates what I feel and where my mind engineers without thought. I have this overwhelming feeling of debt for the love that you gave and a heart that always has you in unspoken prayers. How is life treating you and has your innocence truly been lost as you once told me I had taken? I hope that you will forever, love as though you never lost and smile every time the sun lights up the life in your eyes. It is very difficult living with a past that may be forgotten but never void. I hope that you are as strong as ever and never disillusioned by the world. Albert Einstein, famous for nothing other than Mathematics, once said, that, " Great spirits have often encountered violent oppositions from mediocre minds." Greatness is immediately recognized and often feared as it is the beholder that will often go where the masses desire. It is ofcourse, simple mathematics, to know that the masses cannot ascend to that desired level. Any possessing the natural abilities and learned qualities that are the like of Einstein, Monet and Warhol, are ostricized and criticized for their talents. Never recognized until what they have done cannot be ignored. Often, as history demonstrates, after they have lived a life of, "fiascos," but never ceasing in their passion and ultimately succeeding in what they were born to do. I hope that you have not lost what separates you from the masses. I remember a passion and drive in you that was effortless, yet intimidating by the level of incomprehension understood by others. I hope that you retain that quality through all that life offers in your direction. I am finding it extremely difficult living with the failed promises of a world that is nothing like the values taught to every child from the moment they were born. A world that offers nothing but politics and flaws that can, should but will never be in align with the atmosphere I was told existed. A world in which problems are deferred, not corrected. One where I must comply although I know that it is wrong on so many different levels. A world where failure to comply or an objection to wrong results in the demise of others. I just don’t understand or maybe fail to see the reason behind those with the power to change tradgedies. I have been focusing on what I can do and I proud to tell you that I have a 4.83 Customer Service Index Rating, (highest in the entire 4 state company locations and a %66.6 rate of performance guarantees. I sold a 90 year old woman a range the other day and she said to me before purchasing the guarantee, "I’m 90 years old! Five years is a long time! What would you do?" as she looked at me for more than a response to the topic of a 5 year warrantee, essentially. I said, "I’d be optimistic. I don’t want to die and the simplicities of life sometimes cost a little more. I do know, that, at 90 years old, knowing that for 5 years you will never have to buy a new range is worth far more than the cost of the performance guarantee." Needless to say, she bought it. Why? Cause it was the truth and something I learned from you. Simplicity is worth more than any amount of money that one could ever have. I always remember you saying that and could never appreciate it back in a time where chaos ruled my world. Honesty, however damaging, is the only solace on the journey of life. Lies and deception only waste the limited amount of time we have and will never result in a solution. So much to say, which I offer only as knowledge from my irreversible mistakes. I owe you so much more but know of nothing to give that would ever replace what I feel I have taken. I do not expect a response and understand if you never want to hear from me. Just tell me and I will understand that to mean you have found a glimmer of forgiveness and I may begin to engineer the relief of guilt that burdens me. I am forever indebted for the love you gave and the friendship that I abused and so carelessly neglected.
I have missed you everyday since you removed yourself from my life.

it will get to him/ her if it was from your hart my friend.

let me tell you this before you despair from my computer screen

you have inspire me to tell the I love that I love them all.

take it easy that is life we talking about you have some of it and the resat of the people have some of it.

This AMC was held on the 6th Thursday 2009. This is the Australian Maths Competition, not the American. I know the certificates usually take a month or two, but I recall knowing the results for the prizes and medals within a week.

Well I’ve been a maths teacher in NSW for over 20 years, and we have never received the results within a week. Not sure about the actual date, but your month or two sounds about right.

I am planning to study management, and am about to attend an International Baccalaureate Diploma programme at my high school. My problem is that the majority of universities request you to take High Level Mathematics, and at the same time have at least a grade 6 at it. I took SL maths, since my teacher told me HL is very demanding and abstract, so now I am in a quite big dilemma. Can anybody tell me how difficult it is and what is studied, and how I could achieve a very good grade? Thanks!

I do HL Maths!! but i am in year 11, my school starts it in year 11 because it has so much in it.
Year 12 is meant to be much harder and hard to get 7’s. I am okay and will do it next year.
Its fast pace though but manageable i am not struggling anyway.
Well i don’t know what country you are from, but its like the non international version that (presumably) your school offers and a little bit more. Its meant to be first year uni equivalent. It’s strange your uni’s require it though, in Australia we only need either a 5 in HL or 6 in STandard. However if you are very good at Maths give it a go, you can always move down can’t you?

Well in the past semester and half a term we have done Coordinate Geometry, Quadratic Functions (revision), Quad Inequations, Circular Functions including reciprocal functions, Binomial Expansion, Sequences and Series, Sigma notation, Polynomials, Graphs of polynomials, Functions (including composite and hybrid), Inverse Functions, Exponential Functions, Logarithms and we are doing Rates of Change now.

I think give it a go, too difficult drop down.

I don’t mind Maths though and keep in mind it means that you will have to go to a lot of Maths classes keep in mind what you enjoy. I am like through 50 pages of summary notes, if that gives an idea.

it will be harder in yr 12 or your final year.

Only suggest you study heaps! make sure you understand EVERYTHING, unsure the first thing you do is ask your teacher no dilly dallying what so ever. Understand fully and practice and its possible

Plz tell me the source where i can find books and study material related to the kangaroo math competition .

http://mathkangaroo.org/

Blue eyes

Yesterday I met a colleague of mine. I know he has three sons and I asked him their age.

He answered: “The product of their ages makes 36”.
I thought: “These mathematicians are crazy!”. Then I said: “That’s simply not enough! How can I
tell their age? Tell me something more”.

He said: “You smart guy! Well, the sum of their ages makes the number of windows you can see in
that house over there”.
I thought: “These mathematicians are really crazy!”. Then I counted the windows, I thought five
minutes and said: “I cannot tell their age! Tell me something more”.

He laughed at me and said: “You are really a smart guy! Well, my eldest son has got blue eyes”.
Then I said: “I got it!” and I gave him the correct answer.

Well, what is the correct answer?

Hints
First of all, it’s not a joke; it’s a serious problem. There is no advanced mathematics involved.
However, in my opinion it’s a rather difficult problem; but the solution is nice!

One more thing: sometimes the information is not where you think it is; that’s exactly what this
problem is about. And another thing: don’t ask, I will not tell you how many those windows were…

Here are the integers that, when multiplied together, equal 36:

1, 1, 36 (sum = 38)
1, 2, 18 (21)
1, 3, 12 (16)
1, 4, 9 (14)
1, 6, 6 (13)

2, 2, 9 (13)
2, 3, 6 (11)

3, 3, 4 (10)

If the sum were anything other than 13, the solution would be apparent from the "number of windows" clue. So the sons are either 1, 6 and 6 … or … 2, 2 and 9.

The "eldest son" reference (whether it be regarding blue eyes, soccer yesterday, whatever) implies that one is distinctly older that the other two.

The answer you probably want is 2, 2 and 9 … but doesn’t take into account the possibility that one twin might be two minutes older (say) than the other. (Only in the rarest circumstances would twins come into the world simultaneously! Was this male mathematician at his sons’ births? ~lol~ )

Therefore 1, 6, and 6 *isn’t* eliminated from the options.

Case unsolved … or have I missed something?

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This is my first time entering mathcounts competition and I wanted to know what it was like. Mathcounts is a math competition. These were my questions:
Can you tell me how everything goes in the mathcounts ? DEtailed answer please !!!!!!
Does everyone in the team have to particiapate?
If they do , then when they take the tests how long does it take for the judges to see if teh snswer is correct?

check out this link it has all the answers to your questions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MathCounts

is there a deeper issue (problem) than curiosity? For example, I have a friend that is a nursing student. He also is proficient at calligraphy, painting, can play instruments (2), was previously good at mathematics and checks out math books to keep up with his past performances. Philosophy is another thing he does. I really wonder what drives him? He is a loner and doesn’t want friends, just knowledge satisfies. It’s difficult to understand what is the reason for wanting to know everything and I wonder why he doesn’t try to stick with one thing and excel.
When I asked him about it, he replied that he "would die" if he couldn’t do philosophy or engage in his interests. Nursing was just a way to "make money".

He sounds like an enneagram type 5
I can relate.
It’s not a "complex" but an investigator type.
If you google "enneagram type 5" a lot of info will come up.