While most of us complain about memorizing formulas and drawing yet another graph, senior Jason Li and junior Vincent Li are unscrambling symbols and letters like second nature.
On March 21-22, the longtime friends participated in the United States of America Math Olympiad, which is the final round of the American Mathematics Competitions (AMCs) for U.S. citizens and residents before selections for the U.S. International Mathematical Olympiad team begin.
To qualify for the USAMO, students must achieve scores above a set threshold that puts them in the top 0.5% of all American Invitational Math Examination and AMC 12 participants. These tests include advanced concepts in algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics.
Students who qualify then take the nine-hour USAMO test, where they must solve six proof-based questions by proving that a theorem or mathematical statement is true through rigorous logical reasoning.
USAMO scores are expected to be released at the start of April. If Jason Li or Vincent Li score among the top 12 on the USAMO, they will be invited to the Mathematical Olympiad Program at Carnegie Mellon University over the summer.
“If I move on [from USAMO], I’m just gonna tell my dad and have fun,” Vincent said. “Then after that, before I get into camp, I will just keep doing math questions to keep my brain activated.”
While Jason may have hundreds of equations logged in the back of his mind, his approach to math is rather simple. His favorite equation is one taught in every Math I class: the Pythagorean theorem.
“I always say, look for patterns. Start trying,” Jason said. “Try to simplify the problem into more simple terms or sub[stitute] problems that you can solve.”
Beyond writing formulas on the page, Jason also shares his passion for math as the president of Northwood’s Math Olympiad club. Additionally, he’s the founder of an organization that teaches the logic behind mathematical problem-solving to elementary school students. Jason also introduced Vincent to the AMC exams last year.
During his sophomore year, Vincent barely qualified for AIME and performed more poorly than he’d hoped. But rather than wallowing in disappointment, he felt even more motivated.
“It encouraged me, because I passed AMC and found out that I have the ability to pass AIME,” Vincent said. “I thought that if I work harder, maybe magic will work. So I just do more. The trick is just do more questions.”
Their strategy: the “Sea of Questions” drill, where students work through as many problems as needed to feel comfortable answering certain types of questions.
Vincent says this process is the foundation of all that he’s able to achieve, since he always analyzes each mistake he makes before re-attempting. Still, he recognizes that his effort—not the outcome—is what matters most.
“I have already done everything I can, and when I step into that classroom, I won’t regret myself for not doing anything,” Vincent said. “As long as I don’t regret what I did to prepare for the test, it’s enough for me.”
