Syllabus Middle School Math Contests: Number Theory and Geometry
Middle school math contests such as MATHCOUNTS and the American Mathematics Competitions 8 are
a launching pad for many of the best math students. In this course, designed for rising 6th through 8th
graders, we introduce concepts and strategies necessary for success in a variety of contest settings. We
draw problems from several middle school contests and beginning high school contests like the AMC 10.
Students are introduced to important topics in number theory and geometry, and will work individually
and collaboratively to solve challenging problems related to these topics. Students will also participate in
mock competitions during the camp. These practice tests provide students with mathematical skills and
test-taking experience that will prepare them for key events in the upcoming school year.
This camp is a challenge which builds on foundational knowledge that students should already have from
their middle school math courses. Students should expect to encounter difficult topics and problems
throughout the camp. During the camp, students will participate in daily practice competitions, which are
designed to enhance key mathematical skills and increase general test-taking experience.
Time Commitment: This 2-week course meets Monday through Friday for three hours each day.
Content:
Day Topics Description
1 Approximation/Comparison Learn strategies for quickly estimating or comparing quantities.
2 Divisibility Rules Use the digits of a number to quickly tell if it is divisible by various
factors like 7 or 9.
3 Factors & Multiples Leverage prime factorization tricks to deepen your understanding
of factors and multiples.
4 Repeating Decimals Become more comfortable with decimal expansions by converting
between fractions and repeating decimals.
5 Numbers in Different Bases Explore patterns and arithmetic in different number base systems,
such as binary and hexadecimal.
6 Chasing Angles Use efficient strategies along with vertical line and triangle theo-
rems to find angles in hard geometry problems.
7 Right Triangles Unlock the problem solving potential of the Pythagorean Theorem.
8 Areas Learn sophisticated techniques for finding areas of complicated
geometric figures.
9 Similar Triangles Discover when and how to use similarity theorems and proportions
between triangles to solve tricky problems.
10 3D Geometry Elevate problem solving in geometry to the next dimension.
© 2025 AoPS Incorporated 1
Syllabus Middle School Math Contests: Number Theory and Geometry
Sample Problems:
▶ In trapezoid ABCD below, AD = 15, AB = 50, BC = 20, and the altitude is 12. What is the area of
trapezoid ABCD? (Source: AMC 8)
A 50 B
15 20
12
D C
▶ A square with area 4 is inscribed in a square with area 5, as shown below. Each vertex of the smaller
square lies on a side of the larger square such that the side is divided into two segments of lengths a
and b. What is the value of ab? (Source: AMC 8)
▶ In the diagram below, a circle of radius 2 is inscribed in a semicircle, and the area inside the semicircle
but outside the circle has been shaded. What fraction of the semicircle’s area is shaded? (Source: AMC
8)
▶ What is the largest prime number that divides 134 − 114 ? (Source: AMC 8)
▶ Derek’s phone number, 336-7624, has the property that the three-digit prefix, 336, equals the product
of the last four digits, 7 × 6 × 2 × 4. How many other seven-digit phone numbers beginning with 336
have this same property? (Source: MATHCOUNTS)
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