Course Description
Math Challenge I-A and Math Challenge I-B are introductory level courses for 5-8 grade students who have limited experience with in-depth problem solving and math competitions. Students learn skills to apply the concepts they learn in school math classes into problem solving. Content includes pre-algebra and beginning algebra, fundamental geometry, counting and probability, and basic concepts in number theory. Students develop skills in creative thinking, logical reasoning, analytical and problem solving skills. Students are exposed to beginning contests such as AMC 8, MATHCOUNTS, Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle School (MOEMS), and ZIML Division M.
MC I-A or MC I-B? Content is similar for both courses. For live courses, we recommend students without any math competition experience take I-A while more experienced students take I-B. Our self-paced courses for this level follow the Math Challenge I-B textbooks.
Sample Topics and Problems
MC I-A Topics and Sample Problems (click here)
Math Challenge I-A has four terms, each with an associated textbook. Learn more about the topics in each term below.
Pre-Algebra & Word Problems
Chapter Topics
- Ratios and Proportions
- Ratios and Percentages
- Sums, Differences, and Multiples
- Chickens and Rabbits
- Extending Chickens and Rabbits
- Motion Problems
- Problem Solving with Motion
- Work Problems
- Problem Solving with Work
- Math Contest Review
Sample Questions
Geometry
Chapter Topics
- Counting Through Patterns
- Measurements
- Dance with Angles
- Magic In Triangles
- You Are Special, Right?
- Angles Are Special Too
- Area of Polygons
- Cool Areas
- Circle Around
- Math Contest Review
Sample Questions
Counting & Probability
Chapter Topics
- The Sum Rule: Intro to Counting
- The Product Rule
- Does Order Matter? Permutations and Combinations
- Counting Strategies: Grouping and Spacing
- Counting Strategies: Stars and Bars
- Venn Diagrams and Sets
- Patterns and Sequences
- What is the Chance? (Probability)
- Probability and Statistics
- Math Contest Review
Sample Questions
Number Theory
Chapter Topics
- Number Sense and Place Values
- Primes and Factors
- Problem Solving with Primes and Factors
- Divisibility Fundamentals
- Problem Solving with Divisibility
- Fundamentals of GCD’s and LCM’s
- Problem Solving using GCD’s and LCM’s
- Remainders and Modular Arithmetic
- Word Problems with Modular Arithmetic
- Math Contest Review
Sample Questions
MC I-B Topics and Sample Problems (click here)
Math Challenge I-B has four terms, each with an associated textbook. Learn more about the topics in each term below.
Pre-Algebra/Word Problems
Chapter Topics
- Ratios and Percentages
- Sums, Differences, and Multiples
- Chickens and Rabbits
- Extending Chickens and Rabbits
- Motion
- Problem Solving with Motion
- Work
- Problem Solving with Work
- Linear Equations
- Math Contest Review
Sample Questions
Geometry
Chapter Topics
- Counting Through Patterns
- Problem Solving with Measurements
- Magic In Triangles
- You Are Special, Right?
- Angles Are Special Too
- Area of Polygons
- Cool Areas
- Circle Around
- Circle Back
- Math Contest Review
Sample Questions
Counting & Probability
Chapter Topics
- The Sum Rule: Intro to Counting
- The Product Rule
- Does Order Matter? Permutations and Combinations
- Counting Strategies: Grouping and Spacing
- Counting Strategies: Stars and Bars
- Venn Diagrams and Sets
- Patterns and Sequences
- What are the Chances? (Probability)
- Probability and Statistics
- Math Contest Review
Sample Questions
Number Theory
Chapter Topics
- Place Values and Calculation Tricks
- Building Blocks: Primes and Factors
- Problem Solving with Primes and Factors
- Divisibility Fundamentals
- Problem Solving with Divisibility
- Fundamentals of GCD’s and LCM’s
- Problem Solving using GCD’s and LCM’s
- Remainders and Modular Arithmetic
- Word Problems with Modular Arithmetic
- Math Contest Review
Sample Questions
Live Courses
Please visit our “Live Math Courses” page by clicking here for registration for upcoming live courses.
