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\nTO ACE  \nMA  \n0LYMPADSWAMINATHAN VISAKANFIRST EDITION  \nISBN:978-981-18-5704-1  \nSwaminathan Visakan 2022  \nFirst published by Swaminathan Visakan 2022  \nQuestions in this book are the property of the SingaporeMathematical Society and the Mathematical Association ofAmerica,typewritten for educational purposes.  \nContact us:svisakanagmail.com  \nReach out to us on Linkedln:asvisakan  \nDesigned in Singapore  \nto my lovingmom and dad  \nThis is to state that I am,in no way,affiliated with the SingaporeMathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America,who bear full credit for the problems contained in this book.I take thisopportunity to thank them for their continued efforts in bringing novelMathematics education to students around the world,and I hope thisbook will further the cause that they strive for.  \nvaminathan Visakan,Author of How To Ace Math Olympiad  \nCONTENTS  \nAuthor's Note2  \n1  \n2Olympiads in SG9  \n3Brain Teasers12  \n4Even More!18  \n5Direct Application24  \n6Wishful Thinking43  \n7Meta Solving54  \n8Knowing Your Techniques69  \n9Making Observations82  \n10Applying Your Techniques86  \n11How to ace the game94  \n12Get your hands dirty,get your mind ready102  \n13Word of Caution10714How to approach Math Olympiad11015Au revoir,Mathematician11316Glossary and Acronyms117  \n# Author's Note\n\nCollege entrance examinations,graduating exams,and commontests.Standardised examinations take such a huge part ofstudents'lives.In one way or another,my life has been definedby these standardised tests.  \nGranted,standardised tests still stand their ground due to theirability to give key decision-makers a common way to comparebetween people.But their shortcomings lie aplenty.We've readit over and over again -teachers having to “teach to the test”,providing only a limited scope for learning,and worst of all,stifling creativity.Take the example of the SAT,which tests  \ncandidates on English and Mathematics.At first glance,thesesubject areas seem broad.However,these areas have beenfurther divided into sub-topics like \"Words in Context\"”and“Command of Evidence”,allowing candidates to prepare foreach of them separately.This not only makes learning andpreparation rote,but it also hinders students from expressingthemselves.Many teenagers (like you and I)crave foropportunities that allow us to express ourselves,showcasing ourtrue academic curiosity.To put it simply,we want to have funand enjoy ourselves in the preparation for these tests,even if itwould be characterised as nerdy.Unfortunately,many tests inthis day and age do not give us this opportunity,and I certainlydo not blame them,for that is what they are intended to do-giveeveryone a level playing field.But what if I told you,that in ourstandardised-test-loving-day-and-age,there exists an art.Aremarkable,distinctive art.An art that stands for creativity,champions innovativeness,and teaches you just about every softskill that you need to have as you grow in your career andacademics.  \nOlympiads,I believe,are the real deal.  \n# About the Author\n\nI am Visakan,a JC2(Grade 12)student at Raffles Institution.Asan SMO Gold medallist,USAMO Qualifier and with over 9years of experience in Math Olympiad,I have a story to tell.Thestory of success.The story of pain.The story of disappointmentand disillusionment.The story of frustration.  \nThrough the ebbs and flows of my Math Olympiad journey,I'vebecome not just a much better problem-solver but also a personwho understands what academic pursuit,failure and successentails.Even if I were to give up all my experiences,lessons,and knowledge -all except one,Math Olympiad would remainwith me like always.It is my utmost desire to see the nextgeneration of Math Olympians rise,discover their mathematicalproclivities and go on to succeed in their journeys.  \n# Preface\n\nMath Olympiad is one of the most well-estabilished,“nerdy”pursuits that secondary and JC student","cbCaif7W0a3dTHJy","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaif7W0a3dTHJy","pdf",6055849,128,"English","# Author's Note\n# About the Author\n# Preface\n# Contents\n## Olympiads in SG\n## Brain Teasers\n## Direct Application\n## Wishful Thinking\n## Meta Solving\n## Knowing Your Techniques\n## Making Observations\n## Applying Your Techniques\n## How to ace the game\n## Get your hands dirty, get your mind ready\n## Word of Caution\n## How to approach Math Olympiad\n## Au revoir, Mathematician\n## Glossary and Acronyms","[{\"question\":\"Why does the book criticize standardized examinations?\",\"answer\":\"The author argues standardized tests push “teach to the test,” restrict learning scope, and suppress creativity. They also encourage rote preparation through narrowly divided subtopics.\"},{\"question\":\"What does Math Olympiad training aim to develop besides exam performance?\",\"answer\":\"The book states that Math Olympiad training builds critical thinking and a problem-solving approach usable across academics. It also supports the development of key soft skills as students grow.\"},{\"question\":\"Who is the author and what is his background in Math Olympiads?\",\"answer\":\"The author is Visakan, a JC2 (Grade 12) student at Raffles Institution, described as an SMO Gold medallist and USAMO Qualifier with extensive Math Olympiad experience.\"}]","PLAYFUL SPIRIT OF OLYMPIAD MATH - Way Tan, Math Olympiad Coach, 2×SMO Winner, 5×Top 3 Finisher - To Ace | PDF",1790574942,323]