Art of Problem Solving

Art of Problem Solving
Name	Art of Problem Solving
Type	Educational organization
Founded	2003
Founder	Richard Rusczyk; Sandor Lehoczky
Headquarters	San Diego, California
Products	Textbooks; online classes; AoPS Online; Alcumus; Beast Academy; AoPS Wiki

Art of Problem Solving Art of Problem Solving is an educational organization focused on advanced problem solving and mathematics enrichment for pre-college students. It produces textbooks, online courses, and community platforms that support preparation for contests such as the Mathematical Olympiad, American Mathematics Competitions, and international contests, and it operates a forum-driven learning environment that connects students, instructors, and contest organizers.

Overview

Art of Problem Solving operates a suite of offerings including written materials, interactive online courses, and community resources that target middle school and high school students preparing for competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad, USA Mathematical Olympiad, Putnam Competition, and Euclid Contest. The organization collaborates with authors and contributors who have participated in events like the International Physics Olympiad, International Chemistry Olympiad, Canadian Team Mathematics Competition, and national programs such as the Mathematical Association of America and the National Science Foundation-supported initiatives. Its resources are used by students preparing for contests hosted by organizations including the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program, Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, Princeton University Mathematics Competition, and regional events like the Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad, American Regions Mathematics League, and Great Plains Math Prize.

History and Origins

The company was founded in the early 2000s by mathematicians and educators previously involved with programs such as the Math Olympiad Program and summer programs at institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Princeton University. Early influences included problem-solving traditions from the International Mathematical Olympiad, pedagogy shaped by contributors who trained at institutions like Harvard University and California Institute of Technology, and competition culture from organizations such as the Mathematical Association of America, Art of Problem Solving Foundation, and national teams from United States of America and Canada. Founders and early staff had backgrounds linked to contests and programs such as the American Invitational Mathematics Examination, UK Mathematics Trust, and summer camps run by groups like PROMYS and Ross Mathematics Program.

Educational Philosophy and Methods

The organization emphasizes rigorous problem solving inspired by contest practice seen in events like the International Mathematical Olympiad, USA Mathematical Olympiad, and regional contests such as the Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad and American Regions Mathematics League. Its pedagogy echoes traditions from mentors and institutions like Paul Erdős’s collaborative culture, faculty from Harvard University and Stanford University, and instructors affiliated with the Mathematical Association of America and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Instructional methods draw on problem sets and heuristics popularized by texts and authors linked to the Putnam Competition, IMO Shortlist, Euclidean Geometry in Mathematical Olympiads-style works, and community-driven explanations reminiscent of online encyclopedias like the Encyclopaedia Britannica and collaborative projects associated with universities such as University of California, Berkeley.

Curriculum and Resources

Textbook series and curricula reference classical problem-solving sources and influential works from authors connected to institutions like Princeton University Press, Cambridge University Press, and university presses at Harvard University and Yale University. Core offerings include sequences comparable in scope to preparatory paths used by competitors at contests like the International Mathematical Olympiad, USA Mathematical Olympiad, Putnam Competition, and national qualifying tests such as the American Mathematics Competitions and AIME. Online platforms integrate interactive modules and community contributions that resemble collaborative projects at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and open educational resources promoted by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and Khan Academy-adjacent initiatives.

Community and Competitions

The community forums and online classrooms host discussions and problem archives similar in spirit to those surrounding organizations and competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad, USA Mathematical Olympiad, Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament, Princeton University Mathematics Competition, American Regions Mathematics League, and the Putnam Competition. Users include participants, coaches, and alumni connected to institutions and programs such as PROMYS, Ross Mathematics Program, Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program, Stanford University Math Circle, and national teams from United States of America and Canada. The organization also liaises with contest directors and organizers from groups such as the Mathematical Association of America, UK Mathematics Trust, Canadian Mathematical Society, and university hosts like Harvard University and MIT.

Impact and Reception

Reception has been shaped by endorsements and critiques from educators, contest coaches, and alumni associated with institutions such as Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University, and programs like the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program and PROMYS. The organization’s influence is noted among communities involved in events like the International Mathematical Olympiad, USA Mathematical Olympiad, Putnam Competition, and regional leagues including the American Regions Mathematics League and Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad. Commentary appears in forums and articles connected to outlets and groups such as the Mathematical Association of America, university press reviews at Princeton University Press and Cambridge University Press, and educational discussions involving the National Science Foundation and national curriculum debates.

Notable Contributors and Alumni

Contributors, instructors, and alumni include individuals who went on to associations with institutions and awards such as Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the International Mathematical Olympiad, the Putnam Competition, and national fellowships supported by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the Simons Foundation. Alumni have matriculated to universities and research programs at places including Princeton University, Yale University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, California Institute of Technology, and have participated in competitions such as the International Mathematical Olympiad and the Putnam Competition.

Category:Mathematics education organizations