Skipping math 4 and 5 at tj

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years. You can look at the material for yourself; you'll observe that most of the questions are standard one step type questions. TJ uses the Glencoe Precalculus book, which is fine but nothing particularly special. AoPS precalculus goes significantly deeper into the material by focusing on a lot of problem solving, unlike in Math 5. AoPS also covers complex numbers and linear algebra at a significantly deeper level. My impression is that the TJ math 5 curriculum tries to go too fast and wide, versus more slowly but in much greater depth. This is a general problem not just at TJ, but at most of the high school math classes. Many TJ students have had the same complaint about this.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

Do you have any more links to samples of TJ math? And isn't math 4/5 (precalculus) 36 weeks, whereas the AoPS precalculus class is 22 weeks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years. You can look at the material for yourself; you'll observe that most of the questions are standard one step type questions. TJ uses the Glencoe Precalculus book, which is fine but nothing particularly special. AoPS precalculus goes significantly deeper into the material by focusing on a lot of problem solving, unlike in Math 5. AoPS also covers complex numbers and linear algebra at a significantly deeper level. My impression is that the TJ math 5 curriculum tries to go too fast and wide, versus more slowly but in much greater depth. This is a general problem not just at TJ, but at most of the high school math classes. Many TJ students have had the same complaint about this.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

Do you have any more links to samples of TJ math? And isn't math 4/5 (precalculus) 36 weeks, whereas the AoPS precalculus class is 22 weeks?

You can search on the realtalk tj site, this is where I found these. Yes, the online text based precalc course is 22 weeks which is quite fast, but of course a student could just self study from the book if they don't want that path. They could also take it at a slower pace via another method (AoPS academy, virtual aops site, and a few other places that teach using AoPS materials and likely teach it as a full school year).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years. You can look at the material for yourself; you'll observe that most of the questions are standard one step type questions. TJ uses the Glencoe Precalculus book, which is fine but nothing particularly special. AoPS precalculus goes significantly deeper into the material by focusing on a lot of problem solving, unlike in Math 5. AoPS also covers complex numbers and linear algebra at a significantly deeper level. My impression is that the TJ math 5 curriculum tries to go too fast and wide, versus more slowly but in much greater depth. This is a general problem not just at TJ, but at most of the high school math classes. Many TJ students have had the same complaint about this.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

Do you have any more links to samples of TJ math? And isn't math 4/5 (precalculus) 36 weeks, whereas the AoPS precalculus class is 22 weeks?

You can search on the realtalk tj site, this is where I found these. Yes, the online text based precalc course is 22 weeks which is quite fast, but of course a student could just self study from the book if they don't want that path. They could also take it at a slower pace via another method (AoPS academy, virtual aops site, and a few other places that teach using AoPS materials and likely teach it as a full school year).

What would be comparable to TJ Calc BC in terms of AoPs or other textbooks/curriculum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years. You can look at the material for yourself; you'll observe that most of the questions are standard one step type questions. TJ uses the Glencoe Precalculus book, which is fine but nothing particularly special. AoPS precalculus goes significantly deeper into the material by focusing on a lot of problem solving, unlike in Math 5. AoPS also covers complex numbers and linear algebra at a significantly deeper level. My impression is that the TJ math 5 curriculum tries to go too fast and wide, versus more slowly but in much greater depth. This is a general problem not just at TJ, but at most of the high school math classes. Many TJ students have had the same complaint about this.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

Do you have any more links to samples of TJ math? And isn't math 4/5 (precalculus) 36 weeks, whereas the AoPS precalculus class is 22 weeks?

You can search on the realtalk tj site, this is where I found these. Yes, the online text based precalc course is 22 weeks which is quite fast, but of course a student could just self study from the book if they don't want that path. They could also take it at a slower pace via another method (AoPS academy, virtual aops site, and a few other places that teach using AoPS materials and likely teach it as a full school year).

My point was that there doesn't need to be a tradeoff between depth vs speed/width. AoPS is significantly deeper, wider and faster than TJ math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years. You can look at the material for yourself; you'll observe that most of the questions are standard one step type questions. TJ uses the Glencoe Precalculus book, which is fine but nothing particularly special. AoPS precalculus goes significantly deeper into the material by focusing on a lot of problem solving, unlike in Math 5. AoPS also covers complex numbers and linear algebra at a significantly deeper level. My impression is that the TJ math 5 curriculum tries to go too fast and wide, versus more slowly but in much greater depth. This is a general problem not just at TJ, but at most of the high school math classes. Many TJ students have had the same complaint about this.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

Do you have any more links to samples of TJ math? And isn't math 4/5 (precalculus) 36 weeks, whereas the AoPS precalculus class is 22 weeks?

You can search on the realtalk tj site, this is where I found these. Yes, the online text based precalc course is 22 weeks which is quite fast, but of course a student could just self study from the book if they don't want that path. They could also take it at a slower pace via another method (AoPS academy, virtual aops site, and a few other places that teach using AoPS materials and likely teach it as a full school year).

What did you search to find that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years. You can look at the material for yourself; you'll observe that most of the questions are standard one step type questions. TJ uses the Glencoe Precalculus book, which is fine but nothing particularly special. AoPS precalculus goes significantly deeper into the material by focusing on a lot of problem solving, unlike in Math 5. AoPS also covers complex numbers and linear algebra at a significantly deeper level. My impression is that the TJ math 5 curriculum tries to go too fast and wide, versus more slowly but in much greater depth. This is a general problem not just at TJ, but at most of the high school math classes. Many TJ students have had the same complaint about this.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

Do you have any more links to samples of TJ math? And isn't math 4/5 (precalculus) 36 weeks, whereas the AoPS precalculus class is 22 weeks?

You can search on the realtalk tj site, this is where I found these. Yes, the online text based precalc course is 22 weeks which is quite fast, but of course a student could just self study from the book if they don't want that path. They could also take it at a slower pace via another method (AoPS academy, virtual aops site, and a few other places that teach using AoPS materials and likely teach it as a full school year).

What did you search to find that?

It's a post from June 12, 2023. You can get to it from main page, about 3 pages in.

The above link can also be accessed from bit.ly/tjmath5notes

I also experimented by trying bit.ly/tjmath4notes and bit.ly/tjmath3notes and they both work, (You're welcome

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

This is great info.

I've been searching for equivalent info about MCPS SMACS Functions, but can't find it, I suppose because so few people take that class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years. You can look at the material for yourself; you'll observe that most of the questions are standard one step type questions. TJ uses the Glencoe Precalculus book, which is fine but nothing particularly special. AoPS precalculus goes significantly deeper into the material by focusing on a lot of problem solving, unlike in Math 5. AoPS also covers complex numbers and linear algebra at a significantly deeper level. My impression is that the TJ math 5 curriculum tries to go too fast and wide, versus more slowly but in much greater depth. This is a general problem not just at TJ, but at most of the high school math classes. Many TJ students have had the same complaint about this.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

Do you have any more links to samples of TJ math? And isn't math 4/5 (precalculus) 36 weeks, whereas the AoPS precalculus class is 22 weeks?

You can't compare one semester/year at a time. There is not a single definition of what counts as Algebra 2 vs Precalculus.

AoPS Intermediate Algebra is huge, the biggest book in the series, because it includes topics from school Geometry (conic sections) and some school Precalculus.
While TJ Algebra 2 (Math 3) is one semester.
AoPS Geometry and Precalculus books are small, but TJ is 2 semesters for each.
But TJ has optional Math 2.5 and Math 6.

AoPS
AoPS offers/expects you to go back and revisit harder material from earlier classes over the years as you progress through "contest math" , while TJ courses don't look back in the mirror. TJ has a separate math club for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

AoPS doesn't have many word problems, and the ones that are are silly window dressing. Most of AoPS is abstract expressions and equations.

AoPS is aimed at students on a pure math track. It comes from a contest math pedigree of tricky puzzles and proofs.
TJ and school math in general is aimed at a more general/broad engineering track.
I've seen very high caliber AoPS students struggle with the sort of engineering type problems (modelling a real world situation mathematically like building a roof for a house) that schools emphasize.

It's a different focus.

Also, AoPS teaches about set theory, where you can learn that it's possible for for two different things to both be missing a lot from each other

[Anonymous]

Our child is not in HS yet but has been taking RSM classes since third grade. We have always told him that the RSM classes are there to provide more in-depth problems and understanding of math but that the math at school was the foundational math. He has taken up contest math, which has introduced more advance concepts far earlier then the regular RSM class or school. We remind him that the math taught in school is taught to lay a foundation and that allows him to better understand the contest math.

AoPS/RSM Competition Math should be compliments to math in school. A student who does well in both is in a great plae but sacrificing math in school for the AoPS/Competition Math at RSM is probably going to cause gaps in knowledge that will show up as kids move into more advanced math at school.

[Anonymous]

TJ does not allow skips. there are no skip tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ does not allow skips. there are no skip tests.

TJ no longer announces math skip tests. request to skip a math level is evaluated on a case by case basis. process starts with the counselor

[pettifogger]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

AoPS doesn't have many word problems, and the ones that are are silly window dressing. Most of AoPS is abstract expressions and equations.

AoPS is aimed at students on a pure math track. It comes from a contest math pedigree of tricky puzzles and proofs.
TJ and school math in general is aimed at a more general/broad engineering track.
I've seen very high caliber AoPS students struggle with the sort of engineering type problems (modelling a real world situation mathematically like building a roof for a house) that schools emphasize.

It's a different focus.

Also, AoPS teaches about set theory, where you can learn that it's possible for for two different things to both be missing a lot from each other

I will again dispute your concept of word problems. You seem to be myopically focused on a very stringent definition of a word problem as having to do with "real world application". Speaking of set theory, I will relax your restrictive definition and define a word problem as anything that is an application of mathematical concepts. So yes, your "building a roof for a house" type of problems qualify, but are just a small subset of word problems. It's very important to understand that math is not just about engineering, modeling, or finding a "real world application". It can be about anything as long as it involves applying and connecting mathematical ideas and patterns.

As for your two statements "most of AoPS is abstract expressions and equations" and "AoPS is aimed at students on a pure math track. It comes from a contest math pedigree of tricky puzzles and proofs" -- The first one is meaningless because all math (and even languages) are abstract expressions and equations, which says nothing. The second is completely contradictory because contest problems and pure math are about as different as Earth is from Pluto. Sure, students who enjoy AoPS would likely do very well as pure math majors, but that doesn't mean that is the goal.

Incidentally, the goal of AoPS is to introduce and develop deep problem solving skills in kids, so that they can succeed in whatever path they choose to pursue in college and later in life, no matter how difficult; not to prepare students for a pure math track. Math was chosen as a the mental playground for that because there are many beautiful problems that can immediately expose kids to a rich variety of problem solving techniques. Don't believe me? Here's the transcript of a 2009 speech RR gave at Math Prize for Girls event, where he describes the value of problem solving. At the end he jokingly says that he would have chosen Swahili if it was the best way to teach how to solve problems one has never seen before, but he happened to choose math because he thought it was the best way to teach problem solving. This should be required reading for everyone on this forum:

https://mathprize.atfoundation.org/experience/past-events/2009/Rusczyk_Problem_Solving_Presentation_at_Math_Prize_for_Girls_2009.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our child is not in HS yet but has been taking RSM classes since third grade. We have always told him that the RSM classes are there to provide more in-depth problems and understanding of math but that the math at school was the foundational math. He has taken up contest math, which has introduced more advance concepts far earlier then the regular RSM class or school. We remind him that the math taught in school is taught to lay a foundation and that allows him to better understand the contest math.

AoPS/RSM Competition Math should be compliments to math in school. A student who does well in both is in a great plae but sacrificing math in school for the AoPS/Competition Math at RSM is probably going to cause gaps in knowledge that will show up as kids move into more advanced math at school.

Which gap(s), specifically, would an AoPS/RSM-only student have? I'm not aware of any important topics skipped by either that would lead to struggles later on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Why did you take Math 3 this year after already taking Precalculus last summer?

I thought my child wouldn't be able to handle geometry over the summer, so I didn't sign him up. But he quickly learned geometry over the school year during 8th grade, and learned algebra 2 in the second semester of 8th grade year.

I'm not sure why I didn't sign him up for summer algebra 2 but I didn't, and instead enrolled him in AOPS precalculus during the summer after 8th grade.

AoPS precalculus is not as rigorous as TJ math 4 & 5. Without TJ math 4&5 or tj calc ab, taking on Tj calc bc may be challenging

On what basis do you make this claim? I have worked through a large number of problems from the AoPS precalculus book. Many are very difficult, drawing from AIME and other past contests. A select few are from USAMO and/or other olympiads.

AoPS has hard problems, but they focus on pure math puzzle problems, not engineering applications. You miss a lot if you only do AoPS.

A word problem by definition is an application of mathematical concepts. As long as it highlights the how the math is used, it doesn't matter whether it's about engineering, horses, or flying sheep. I will also dispute your claim about missing a lot. It's far more likely that the opposite is true, where there are many ideas found in AoPS which are not taught in the school classes.

likely when compared to base schools, but TJ rigor and application is at a whole different level.

The rigor is definitely not on a whole different level. TJ Math 5 is simply equivalent to a good honors precalculus course. The below link contains the contents of recent TJ Math 5 sessions from the last few years. You can look at the material for yourself; you'll observe that most of the questions are standard one step type questions. TJ uses the Glencoe Precalculus book, which is fine but nothing particularly special. AoPS precalculus goes significantly deeper into the material by focusing on a lot of problem solving, unlike in Math 5. AoPS also covers complex numbers and linear algebra at a significantly deeper level. My impression is that the TJ math 5 curriculum tries to go too fast and wide, versus more slowly but in much greater depth. This is a general problem not just at TJ, but at most of the high school math classes. Many TJ students have had the same complaint about this.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=9B3FCA6FFAE0933B%213434&authkey=%21AB6EG-ZEnPtkz0Y&page=View&wd=target%28Unit%205-%20Polar%20Coordinates%20and%20Functions.one%7C1a3e2cd3-3275-48bc-9100-4f1fcdb65aa6%2FPd.%206%20DeMoivre%27s%20Powers%20Theorem%7C5c4f2deb-4f22-6b47-9797-cee590c3158b%2F%29&wdorigin=NavigationUrl

Do you have any more links to samples of TJ math? And isn't math 4/5 (precalculus) 36 weeks, whereas the AoPS precalculus class is 22 weeks?

You can search on the realtalk tj site, this is where I found these. Yes, the online text based precalc course is 22 weeks which is quite fast, but of course a student could just self study from the book if they don't want that path. They could also take it at a slower pace via another method (AoPS academy, virtual aops site, and a few other places that teach using AoPS materials and likely teach it as a full school year).

What did you search to find that?

It's a post from June 12, 2023. You can get to it from main page, about 3 pages in.

The above link can also be accessed from bit.ly/tjmath5notes

I also experimented by trying bit.ly/tjmath4notes and bit.ly/tjmath3notes and they both work, (You're welcome

)

You're welcome.