UCLA Olga Radko Endowed Math Circle

ORMC Meetings Archive • Fall 2007–Spring 2023

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For the current schedule, visit the Circle Calendar

2007–2008 2008–2009 2009–2010 2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2015 2015–2016 2016–2017 2017–2018 2018–2019 2019–2020 2020–2021 2021–2022 2022–2023
Summer 2014 quarter // Filter groups by:
6/18/2014
We will learn to multiply permutations. Finishing the first handout, we will figure out what configurations of the 3 puzzle are solvable and what are not. If time permits, we will finish the lesson solving some olympiad-style problems.
Fall 2014 quarter // Filter groups by:
10/12/2014
We will jump right into tackling math problems from various national and international competition in our mathematical group relay!
Before we cover a specific topic, we will be solving some fun problems from a previous year's Math Olympiad. In addition, we will be solving problems from various topics in mathematics in order to gauge our knowledge of these topics.
Handouts: Initial Assessment | Math Olympiad Problems
We'll learn various ways of sending and deciphering secret messages.
Handouts: Week 1 handout
Today we will begin our first topic of the quarter: proofs. We'll focus on different ways to logically organize a proof.
Handouts: Handout 1
During this first meeting we will discuss some beautiful problems from the Russian Math Olympiad. We will solve problems from geometry, algebra, combinatorics, emphasising on how to organize our proofs.
Handouts: Handouts
In the Fall quarter, we will study Boolean algebra also known as the algebra of logic. A working knowledge of binary numbers is a prerequisite for the study. During this class, we will learn/refresh some basic properties of the binary numbers. As always, we will have some Math olympiad-style problems for warm up.
Handouts: handout | farmers and chicken solution | solutions
In the Fall quarter, we will study Boolean algebra also known as the algebra of logic. A working knowledge of binary numbers is a prerequisite for the study. During this class, we will learn/refresh some basic properties of the binary numbers. As always, we will have some Math olympiad-style problems for warm up.
Handouts: handout | farmers and chicken solutuin | handout sols
10/19/2014
We will be investigating the different properities of modular arithmetic and how it will be useful to solve problems with large values.
Handouts: Number Theory (part 1)
This week, we will introduce sets and functions, and discuss some of the properties of functions. We will also solve a few fun problems at the end of the meeting.
Handouts: Sets and Functions
We'll discover some surprising properties of the Mobius strip.
Handouts: Week 2 handout
Today we will continue our study of proofs. We will continue doing examples of both direct proofs and proofs by contradiction, as well as introduce the idea of a proof using contrapositives.
Handouts: Handout 2
Speaker: David Patrick (Art of Problem Solving)
Handouts: Handouts
During the first hour, we will finish the first handout by going through the binary completion, subtraction and division algorithms at the board, followed by discussing a solution to the farmers and chicken problem. The second hour will be a problem solving session. The central problem of the session has originated in the first century AD and is solved using binary numbers!
Handouts: division algorithm | handout | alg solutions | handout solutions
During the first hour, we will finish the first handout by going through the binary completion, subtraction and division algorithms at the board, followed by discussing a solution to the farmers and chicken problem. The second hour will be a problem solving session. The central problem of the session has originated in the first century AD and is solved using binary numbers!
Handouts: division algorithm | handout | alg sols | handout sols
10/26/2014
Working in groups, we will solve a variety of geometry problems. In the second hour, each group will present a solution of one of the problems they worked out in the first hour.
Handouts: Hints to selected problems | Geometry kaleidoscope (problem sets)
This week, we will continue our explorations of functions on sets, focusing on countable infinite sets and their equivalence. We will finish with fun, miscellaneous problems.
Handouts: Infinite Sets
We'll work on some fun Halloween-themed math problems.
Handouts: Week 3 handout
Today we will study the principle of Mathematical Induction, and solve problems on a variety of topics using it.
Handouts: Proofs by Induction
This Sunday we will focus on solving geometry problems in plane. We will focus mainly on studying the circle and cyclic quadrilaterals.
Handouts: Handouts
We will solve a few olympiad-style problems for warm-up and then proceed to study Boolean Algebra a.k.a. the algebra of logic.
Handouts: handout | solutions
We will complete our discussion of the Josephus Problem and then proceed to study Boolean Algebra a.k.a. the algebra of logic.
Handouts: handout | solutions
11/2/2014
We will be using modular arithmetic to find divisibility rules and use them to tackle more number thoery questions!
Handouts: Session Handout
This week, we will be solving problems involving parity. We will look at how properties of even and odd numbers can help us solve problems involving chessboards, symmetry, dominoes, and other topics.
Handouts: Parity
We'll find patterns in sequences of numbers and explore ways to think about averages.
Handouts: Week 4 handout
Today we will continue working on proofs by induction and finish up the handout from last week. It would be helpful for the students to review Problems 1+2 on the second page of the handout from last week (available in last week's announcement) in preparation to today's session.
Handouts: Proofs by Induction 2
We will talk about combinations and permutations, and we will count elements in a given set in two different ways. This will give unexpected formulas between combinations (also called binomial coefficients), that are very hard to prove algebraically.
Handouts: Handouts
We will solve a few warm-up problems and then continue our study of Boolean algebra.
Handouts: handout | sols
We will solve a few warm-up problems and then continue our study of Boolean algebra.
Handouts: handout | sols
11/9/2014
This week we will be discovering our own divisibility rules for our favorite numbers and use them to problem solve!
Handouts: Number Theory (Part 3)
We will be discussing two alternatives to our "normal" method of multiplication: Egyptian multiplication and Russian Peasant multiplication. We will learn how these methods work, and determine which are more effective.
Handouts: Egyptian and Russian Peasant Multiplication
We'll hone our problem solving skills by working on some challenging and fun math problems.
Handouts: Week 5 handout
Today, we'll be studying ways to count without numbers. The key concepts will be bijections and codings.
Handouts: Bijections
Fullerton Mathematical Circle: The First Three Years. Selected Problems
This time we will learn how to use Boolean Algebra to solve logical problems near effortlessly. Once finished, we will solve some problems that could help our AMC8 participants to perform better at the competition and should be interesting and entertaining for the rest of the class.
Handouts: handout | sols


This time we will learn how to use Boolean Algebra to solve logical problems near effortlessly. Once finished, we will solve some problems that could help our AMC8 participants to perform better at the competition and should be interesting and entertaining for the rest of the class.

Handouts: handout | sols
11/16/2014
Handouts: AG F14 meeting 6 trigonometry 1
This week we will discuss a few facts about angles, and we will learn how to draw angles using protractors. Furthermore, we will learn how to draw a circle by using grid lines and by using a compass. Please bring the following items to the meeting: colored pencils, a ruler, a compass, and a protractor.
Handouts: Challenge Problem
We'll learn to use coordinates to describe where points in a plane are located.
Handouts: Week 6 handout
Today we will study some ways to talk about the "size" of an infinite set.
Handouts: Bijections 2
This week, we have a guest speaker. Pooja Rao will tell us about the normal distribution, and at the end we will do an experiment, using the microwave and some popcorn.
Handouts: Quiz 1 | Quiz 2
We will learn to use geometry of cubes to simplify Boolean algebra formulas.
Handouts: handout | sols


We will learn to use geometry of cubes to simplify Boolean algebra formulas.

Handouts: handout | sols
11/23/2014
Handouts: AG F14 meeting 7 complex 1
This week we will continue our discussion of symmetry using mirrors. Using Reflect-It Mirrors, we will explore 2-mirror systems, 3-mirror systems, and various triangular kaledeidoscope configurations.
Handouts: Mirrors and Kaleidoscopes
We'll figure out how to slay dragons with many heads and tails.
Handouts: Handout 7
Today we will study some problems in graph theory, an area that has many applications to social media, including Facebook!
Handouts: Ramsey Theory
We will explore the combinatorics of placing non-attacking rooks in a chess board. In how many ways can we place n non-attacking rooks on a n x n board? how about if we do not allow rooks to be on the diagonal of the board? We will explore these and other questions and techniques for doing these counts.
Handouts: Handouts 1 | Handouts 2
We will take another look at the material we have studied, from the division algorithm to Boolean algebra to hypercubes. We will also solve a bunch of cool olympiad-style problems.
Handouts: handout | sols


We will take another look at the material we have studied, from the division algorithm to Boolean algebra to hypercubes. We will also solve a bunch of cool olympiad-style problems.

Handouts: handout | sols
11/30/2014
No Early Elementary meeting on Nov. 30, 2014.
12/7/2014
Handouts: AG F14 meeting 8 trigonometry 2
Handouts: Symmetry, Mirrors & Fun
We'll figure out who's who on the Island of Knights and Liars.
Handouts: Handout 8
Today we will continue our study of graph theory, specificially Ramsey Theory.
Handouts: Ramsey Theory 2
Guest speaker: Brent Woodhouse
Handouts: Handouts | Handouts


We will solve a bunch of cool problems preparing for the 12/14/2014 Math Wrangle between the Intermediate I and II classes.

Handouts: handout | sliding combs sol | sols
We will solve a bunch of cool problems preparing for the 12/14/2014 Math Wrangle between the Intermediate I and II classes.
Handouts: handout | sliding combs sol | sols
12/14/2014
We'll do problems that serve as a review for all topics covered this quarter.
Handouts: Handout 9
We'll end our quarter with math relays!


The Intermediate I class will meet in the graduate students lounge, MS 6620, right away. Our regular room will be taken by another class. After an hour of problem solving, the Intermediate II class will join the Intermediate I class in MS 6620 and the fight will commence. In the meantime, volunteering parents will set up the tables in the rear part of MS 6620. At 6:00, the winners will be announced and rewarded, and the party will begin!

Handouts: handout


The intermediate II class will solve problems in their regular room, MS 6S 6201 for one hour. After an hour of problem solving, the Intermediate II class will join the Intermediate I class in MS 6620 and the fight will commence. In the meantime, volunteering parents will set up the tables in the rear part of MS 6620. At 6:00, the winners will be announced and rewarded, and the party will begin!

Handouts: handout
Winter 2015 quarter // Filter groups by:
1/11/2015
During the first meeting of the quarter, we will introduce percents and solve problems involving percentages.
Handouts: Percents
We'll do an experiment / game to illustrate some basic ideas of probability.
Handouts: Week 1 handout
Today we will study some basic combinatorics of words. We will build toward constructing de Bruin words.
Handouts: Handout | Handout (with added graphs)
Problem session, ranging from geometry, algebra, combinatorics.
Handouts: Handouts
We will learn a few theorems of classical geometry and use them as tools to estimate distances to and sizes of various remote objects.
We will learn a few theorems of classical geometry and use them as tools to estimate distances to and sizes of various remote objects.
1/18/2015
This week we will work on word problems that involves two or more people or things working together to complete a task. You can find this week's handout as well as solutions below. For homework, please complete problems 1-2 from the Kangaroo Problems below. Show all your work and be prepared to explain what you did.
Handouts: Working Together Handout | Practice Math Kangaroo Homework Problems | Working Together Solutions
Building on our experiment from last week, we'll dive a bit further into probability, and compute the probabilities of various events when rolling a pair of dice.
Handouts: Handout 2 | Solutions
Today we will continue studying combinatorics of words. We will focus on constructing words of varying "subword complexity".
Handouts: Handout | Handout (with added graphs)
Handouts: Handouts


We will complete the work on the first handout. If times remains, we will solve a bunch of cool olympiad-style problems from the next handout.



We will complete the work on the first handout. If times remains, we will solve a bunch of cool olympiad-style problems from the next handout.

1/25/2015
This week we will continue doing word problems on percentages and working together. For homework, complete the handout. Please prepare your 2 problems (#10,11) on index cards to be able to exchange them with your fellow students. Also, prepare complete solutions to #3,4 on the math kangaroo handout.
Handouts: Percentage & Work Overview | Mini Quiz | Percentage & Work Solutions
We'll hone our problem solving skills by solving some challenging word problems.
Handouts: Handout 3 | Solutions
Today we will go over some AMC 10 practice problems. We'll also allow students to finish last week's handout.
Handouts: AMC Prep
Followed by the a Crossnumber math game (like the one in Meeting 2 last quarter)
Handouts: Handouts


We will solve a bunch of cool olympiad-style problems and then get back to the study of similar figures.

Handouts: handout


We will solve a bunch of cool olympiad-style problems and then get back to the study of similar figures.

Handouts: handout
2/1/2015
This week, we will start our discussion of combinatorics going over the multiplication principle, the addition principle, multiple independent events and permutations. For homework: please review the combinatorics handout and prepare complete solutions to Math Kangaroo problems 5 & 6.
Handouts: Combinatorics Part 1 (handout) | Math Kangaroo Homework Problems | Combinatorics Part 1 (solutions)
We'll continue to hone our problem solving skills and prepare for the Math Kangaroo by solving some challenging word problems.
Handouts: Handout 4
Today we will study in more detail the idea of Eulerian paths introduced earlier in the quarter, and discuss various algorithms to find them.
Handouts: Eulerian Paths


We will meet on the lawn next to the 5th floor entrance and spend the first half an hour of the class measuring various objects on campus, a building, a street light, and possibly a crane. We will then get back to the classroom and compare our findings. After that, we will get back to the second handout and resume working on it starting with Problem 13.



We will meet on the lawn next to the 5th floor entrance and spend the first half an hour of the class measuring various objects on campus, a building, a street light, and possibly a crane. We will then get back to the classroom and compare our findings. After that, we will get back to the second handout and resume working on it starting with Problem 13.

2/8/2015
This week we will conitnue our discussion of combinatorics focusing on permutations and combinations.
Handouts: Combinatorics Part II Handout | Combinatorics Part II Solution | Math Kangaroo | Mini Quiz 1 Solution
We'll solve more Math Kangaroo problems in preparation for the Math Kangaroo contest.
Handouts: Handout 5
Today we will begin discussing algorithms, focusing on the question "What makes up an algorithm?" and going over some basic examples of algorithms.
Handouts: Algorithms 1


We will continue studying similar figures in the first half of the lesson. Then we will get acquainted with the most natural unit to measure angles, a radian.

Handouts: handout


We will continue studying similar figures in the first half of the lesson. Then we will get acquainted with the most natural unit to measure angles, a radian.

Handouts: handout
2/15/2015
2/22/2015
This week we are starting our exploration of modular arithmetic. For homework, prepare complete solutions to math kangaroo problems 9 &10. **Math Kangaroo Problem 10 was originally posted with a typo. A corrected version is posted below.**
Handouts: Modular Arithmetic Handout | Modular Arithmetic Solutions | Math Kangaroo Problem Set
We'll do puzzles on the theme of identifying fake coins using a digital scale.
Handouts: Handout 6
Today we will continue studying algorithms in more detail, culminating with a discussion of the "Halting Problem".
Handouts: Algorithms 2
Typo in handouts: -lnx is convex
Handouts: Handout


We will solve some fun problems collected from the previous Math Kangaroo competitions and occasionally modified to make them even more cool.

Handouts: handout


We will solve some fun problems collected from the previous Math Kangaroo competitions and occasionally modified to make them even more cool.

Handouts: handout
3/1/2015
We will continue to discuss modular arithmetic this week. More specifically, we will learn about congruency classes and how we can use modular arithmetic when discussing powers. Please redo the combinatorics quiz from last week and bring in your solutions.
Handouts: Combinatorics Quiz | Modular Arithmetic Part II (Handout) | Modular Arithmetic Part II (Solutions) | Math Kangaroo
Computers are made out of devices called "logic gates". We'll learn what they are and what they do.
Handouts: Logic Gates Handout | Solutions (part 1) | Solutions (part 2)
Today we will discuss two very useful strategies for solving mathematical problems: invariants and extremes.
Handouts: Problem Solving 1
We will get back to geometry and prove a few more theorems discovered by the Ancient Greeks.
Handouts: handout


We will get back to geometry and prove a few more theorems discovered by the Ancient Greeks.

Handouts: handout
3/8/2015
This week, we will be using modular arithmetic to explain divisibility rules. We will be able to create divisibility rules for essentially any number. Please bring in your solutions to Math Kangaroo problems 11 and 12.
Handouts: Modular Arithmetic Part III (Handout) | Modular Arithmetic Part III (Solutions) | Math Kangaroo Problem Set
We'll continue our investigation of logic gates and logic circuits.
Handouts: Logic Gates Handout | Solutions (part 1) | Solutions (part 2)
More on invariants. We will finish problems from the previous handout and also learn new tehniques.
We will continue our journey into the realm of geometry and study a few cool theorems.
Handouts: handout


We will continue our journey into the realm of geometry and study a few cool theorems.

Handouts: handout
3/15/2015
We will be learning pi, and how it relates to the perimeters and areas of circles.
Handouts: Celebrating Pi Day (Handout) | Digits of Pi Problems (Handout) | Celebrating Pi Day (Solutions) | Digits of Pi Problems (Solutions)
Practice test for the upcoming Math Kangaroo exam, followed by a Pi Day activity and some pie.
Handouts: Practice Math Kangaroo Exam


For an hour and a half we will learn a few interesting facts related to the number Pi. During the final half hour of the class, we will turn our attention form Pi to pies.

Handouts: Pi day handout


For an hour and a half we will learn a few interesting facts related to the number Pi. During the final half hour of the class, we will turn our attention form Pi to pies.

Handouts: handout
Spring 2015 quarter // Filter groups by:
4/12/2015
This week we will review the last handout from Pi Day and work on the toughest 2015 Math Kangaroo exam. Please make sure you completed all of the Pi Day handout prior to coming to class.
Handouts: Math Kangaroo Workshop (Handout) | Math Kangaroo Workshop (Solutions)
We'll go over some of the more challenging problems from the recent Math Kangaroo exam.
Handouts: Handout | Handout with solutions
Today we will study how to circumscribe varous polygons. That is, given a polygon we will try (if we can) to find a circle containing the vertices of the polygon. We will focus on exploring when we can circumscribe a quadrilateral.
Handouts: Handout
The goal of this lesson is to provide support for the upcoming Logarithms and Life talk by Samir Mallya. First, we will solve a couple of warm-up problems. Then we will study some basic properties of exponential functions and logarithms. At the end of the class, if time permits, we will study carbon dating, a way to estimate the age of a fossil based on half-life of the Carbon 14 isotope.
Handouts: handout
4/19/2015
This week, we are exploring 1D and 2D geometry. Handout corrections: Problem 2 (page 3 and 4), "|AB|=" should read "|AP|=" for all parts. Problem 3d (page 6), "|AP|-|BP|" should read "|BP|-|AP|".
Handouts: Line Geometry (Handout) | Line Geometry (Solutions)
Today we will introduce the mechanical notions of lever and center of mass and explore how to prove results in geometry using these ideas.
Handouts: Handout
This Sunday, Michael Puthwala will talk about countability and infinity.
We will continue our study of logarithms for the first hour. Samir will present his MathMovesU project during the second.
Handouts: handout
4/26/2015
This week, we are looking at 3D structures and their projections.
Handouts: Geometry Part II (Handout) | Geometry Part II (Solution)
We'll explore the geometric concept of area and compute areas of various shapes.
Handouts: Handout | Handout with solutions
Having learned to compute the area of a parallelogram, we'll next see how to compute the area of a triangle, and explore related ideas.
Handouts: Handout | Solutions
Today we will study some basic ways of coding messages. We'll also discuss the problems with these methods.
Handouts: Handout
In preparation for Tyler's MathMovesU project presentation, we will refresh our knowledge of Boolean algebra and study its new representation by means of logic gates, hardware devices that power our computers, smartphones, and more.
Handouts: handout
5/3/2015
This week, we will start our exploration of number bases focusing on special relations between different bases. For homework, complete the handout through page 5.
Handouts: Number Base Part I (Handout) | Number Base Part I (Solutions)
We'll learn about the famous Towers of Hanoi puzzle.
Handouts: Handout | Handout with solutions
Today we will continue our study of cryptography, focusing on public-key cryptography and the well known RSA algorithm.
The plan for the class is as follows. First, Mark Ponomarenko presents his solutions to Problems 16 and 17 from the previous handout. Then we discuss some basic properties of the universal gates, the NAND and NOR operators. This takes the first hour. For the duration of the second hour, Tyler Weigand presents his MathMovesU project.
Handouts: handout
5/10/2015
This week we will continue our exploration of number bases.
Handouts: Number Bases Handout I | Number Bases Handout II | Number Bases I (Solutions) | Number Bases II (Solutions)
Handouts: Handout | Solutions
In preparation for Jessamine's presentation, we will take a look at the most fundamental law of nature, the energy conservation law. We will learn about the kinetic and potential enrgy of a body moving next to the Earht's surface, pay a short visit to Europa, an icy Jovian moon, and more.
Handouts: handout
5/17/2015
This week, we learn to add and subtract vectors.
Handouts: Vectors Handout | Vectors Solutions
Handouts: Handout | Solutions
We will continue studying the handout from the previuos class. If we finish it in one hour, Jessamine will make her presentation after it. If going through the handout takes the entire class, Jessamine's presentation will move to 5/31.
5/24/2015
No meeting for holiday weekend



Part 1: Thaleia Zariphopoulou Title: Outsmarting the risk of a bet! Learn what a derivative is, how to price it and how to hedge its risk.






Part 2: Renyuan Xu Title: Magic, games, google, and ... math?? Do you want to be a mathematician? (Well, maybe not). How about a googler? (Well, maybe ...) What about know a few things about magic? (That is tempting...) Simple come and enjoy, maybe just the treats!



5/31/2015
This week we explored the 27-card trick that utilizes ternary bases (base 3). You can watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7lP9y7Bb5g For the second half of the class, we reviewed topics from the quarter.
Handouts: Card Trick Handout | Card Trick Solutions | Review Handout | Review Solutions
Handouts: Handout | Solutions
For the first hour, we will continue studying the handout on kinetic and potential energy, and motion. Jessamine will present her MathMovesU project, Running through Math, after the break.
6/7/2015
This is the last meeting of math circle of the academic year. We will be playing "Dominoes."
The class will be split into four teams competing in solving some very cool problems.
6/14/2015