January 26, 2013 – Dr. Jonathan Kane – “Constructions with Straight Edge and Compass and Other Implements”

Learn all about the classic theory of geometric objects with only straight edge and compass. What can you construct, and what is impossible? Which regular polygons can you construct? What if you have help by being given a fixed parabola? Come with your pencils and be ready to draw (compasses provided, or bring your own)!

To perform well on geometry problems on math competitions it is necessary to have a deep understanding.  This understanding can be achieved by retracing the footprints of the very first mathematicians whose only tools were a straight edge and compass.

Dr. Kane is one of our most popular lecturers and is recently retired from his position as a professor at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  Along with Dr. Andreescu he is the co-founder and coordinator of the Purple Comet! Math Meet.  Dr. Kane is also the co-chair of the AIME committee and a faculty member at the AwesomeMath summer camp.

Along with his wife, Jane E. Mertz, Jonathan Kane is the author of several important research papers on the role of culture and gender in mathematical achievement including “Debunking Myths about Gender and Mathematics Performance.”

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March 24, 2012 – Ivan Borsenco – “Solving Problems with Pigeonhole and Extremal Principle”

We are looking forward to Ivan Borsenco’s return to UT Dallas.  Ivan, a former mathematical olympian, AwesomeMath instructor and current MIT student will present a number of problems and their solutions using the Pigeonhole and Extremal Principles.

The pigeonhole and the extremal principles are heuristical principles that are not tied to any subject but are applicable in all branches of mathematics.  Their beauty lies in the fact that they can justify existence of an object with a certain properties.  We will learn the use of these principles by going through a couple of classical theorems and solving lots of entertaining problems that have unexpected solutions.

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2011 AwesomeMath

This summer AwesomeMath will be held at Cornell University and at the University of California Santa Cruz.  It is unfortunate that Dallas will be losing such a prestigious camp, but these are two beautiful campuses which will better serve the world class students who attend from either coast.

Cornell will be the host campus from June 27th through July 17th and UCSC will play host from July 25th through August 18th.  Early registration begins January 14th and the application is available here.

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Online Math Circle

Many students aren’t fortunate enough to live near a thriving math circle (much less the two that we have in Dallas, Metroplex Math Circle and the Mid Cities Math Circle).  To address this need an entrepreneurial young man in Wichita Falls, Shri Ganeshram, has launched the Online Math Circle.

Shri was assisted in this effort by Holden Lee and Marius Craciunoiu.  He also received some of his inspiration from our own Dr. Titu Andreescu while attending AwesomeMath.

Please help Shri by visiting and helping to promote his site.

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October 2 – The Mathematics of Magic Squares

Radu Sorici is a senior at UTD with a double major: Mathematics and Computer Science.   He has been a participant in the international math competitions. Radu works closely with Dr. Andreescu on several projects, including AwesomeMath and the online journal Mathematical Reflections.

Magic Squares are a well-known but endlessly fascinating form of number puzzle.  This should be a very accessible lecture for all students.

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New Blog Roll Link: Holden Lee

I’ve added a new link to the blog of a remarkable young man, Holden Lee.  Holden was an instructor at this year’s AwesomeMath and he is the author of widely read and insightful essay on the personal challenges of competitive problem solving.

Please take some time to read the problems and personal observations on Mental Wilderness.

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Dallas Morning News on AwesomeMath

There was a great article today on Dr. Andreescu’s summer camp, AwesomeMath.  Here is an excerpt.

UTD program challenges the best and brightest young mathletes

08:04 AM CDT on Wednesday, July 21, 2010

By KATHERINE LEAL UNMUTH / The Dallas Morning News
kunmuth@dallasnews.com

For the select group of academically gifted middle and high school students training intensively this summer at the University of Texas at Dallas, math is a sport.

The problems they work in geometry, algebra, combinatorics and number theory far exceed the curriculum used at Texas high schools.

“These are the athletes of the mind,” said Titu Andreescu, 53, director of the three-week AwesomeMath program. “Most of them are a lot better than students in college, including math majors.”

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Congratulations Team USA

Congratulations to the US team at the 2010 IMO for taking third place.  Benjamin Gunby, a participant in last year’s AwesomeMath camp came away with a Gold medal in his first IMO!  Here are the members of the US team and their achievements:

• Evan O’Dorney, Gold
• Xiaoyu He, Gold
• Benjamin Gunby, Gold
• Calvin Deng, Silver
• In Sung Na, Silver
• Allen Yuan, Silver

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AwesomeMath 2010 Early Application

AwesomeMath, Dr. Andreescu’s highly regarded summer camp for mathematically gifted students has just released its test and forms for early admission.  Early registration is due by February 5th.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the camp here are some details for 2010:

What? A three-week intensive summer camp for mathematically gifted students from around the globe. An initiative in response to parents and teachers of bright students who have not yet shone at the Olympiad level, as well as of those who would like to expand what they have learned in programs such as MATHCOUNTS. These talented students wish to hone their problem solving skills in particular and further their mathematics education in general. Many of our participants seek to improve their performance on contests such as AMC10/12, AIME, or USAMO.

Why? To offer gifted math students the opportunity to attend a high-quality summer program.

When? July 6 – 27, 2010 and July 30 – August 20, 2010.

Who? Around 80 students in grades 6-11, distinguished faculty, a large group of mentors and assistants.

Where? At the University of Texas at Dallas (7/6-7/27) and the University of California, Santa Cruz (7/30-8/20).

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AwesomeMath (Texas) Begins!

AwesomeMath Summer Camp has emerged as one of the premier problem solving experiences, drawing top students from around the country and around the world.  This year AwesomeMath has expanded to two campuses, UT Dallas and UC Santa Cruz.

The Texas session will begin tomorrow and several Metroplex Math Circle students will be attending this year.  While separate programs, both AwesomeMath and MMC were founded and are directed by Dr. Titu Andreescu.

Congratulations and best of luck to all of the local and global students selected to attend AwesomeMath 2009.

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