AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

Problem-Solving: General Strategies and Tactical Ideas

These are the three general problem-solving strategies (call them strategic ideas). They are plain
common sense but they are so essential to cracking difficult questions.

1. Do something. Play around. Do NOT be afraid of scary notation.

2. Ask,” Where have I seen this before?”

3. Ask,”What information have I not used yet?”

In contrast, the tactical ideas, while easy to use, are less "natural," as few people would think of them.

• Search for a Pattern

• Draw a Figure
• Formulate an Equivalent Problem
• Modify the Problem
• Choose Effective Notation
• Exploit Symmetry
• Divide into Cases
• Work Backward
• Argue by Contradiction
• Pursue Parity
• Consider Extreme Cases
• Generalize

Our interest in this list of problem-solving ideas is not in their description but in their implementation.
By looking at examples of how others have used these simple but powerful ideas., we can expect to
improve our problem-solving skills.

A single problem usually admits several solutions, often employing quite different tactics. Therefore, it is
best to approach each problem with an open mind rather than with a preconceived notion about how a
particular tactic should be applied. In working on a problem, solving it is what matters. It is the
accumulated experience of all the ideas working together that will result in a heightened awareness of
the possibilities in a problem.

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AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

ALGEBRA 01 - Identities, Algebraic Manipulations

It should be noted that most problems in math contest are algebra based, meaning that most solutions
will require some use of algebra. Besides other topics, one should have a solid grasp on basic algebraic
manipulation and solving equations.

Commonly seen Identities

Try to memorize all the factorizations above since those are super common on the AMC 10 and 12.

NOTE: The most valuable technique, however, is simple: just try stuff! The answer will rarely
pop out immediately; you’ll often need to try different things and stumble a bit along the
way. Even still, don’t try things just at random - instead, focus on improving your position on
the battlefield. This is where practice comes in, for it allows one to develop the kind of
thinking that leads to these conclusions more quickly.

1. Find 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 if (𝑥, 𝑦) is a solution to the system of equation:

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AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

1
2. Find 𝑚3 + if 𝑚 +
1
= 2.
𝑚3 𝑚

1
3. Find 𝑚4 + if 𝑚 +
1
= 4.
𝑚4 𝑚

3 2
4. Find the value of 2
𝑥 − 𝑥 + 1 if the value of 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 6 is 8.

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AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

5. Calculate

Basic Operational Rules on √𝒂

Rationalization of Denominators

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AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

6. What is the value of ?

7. Evaluate

Radicals and Nesting

Basic Methods for Simplifying Compound Radicals

8. Find the value of

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AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

NOTE: The previous problem is an example of a nested radical (think radicals within radicals). We saw
that squaring worked nicely here because there were two terms that we could take advantage of, but
sometimes we don’t have a nice second term to works with. In this case, it is still possible to get rid of the
outer square root through a process called denesting.

9. Denest the following: .

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑 = √𝑎2 − 𝑏.

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AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

10. The sum of equals

11. Compute

Sophie’s Germain Identity

If you ever see a problem in the form above, then it will be hard to factor it on the spot during the
competition. However, memorizing this identity can save a lot of time if you ever come through one.

Prove it!

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AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

12. What is the remainder when is divided by ?

Substitutions Revamped
The principle behind effective substitutions is exploiting symmetry within the problem. This can appear
in a variety of different ways, which include mirrored or common terms.

13. Compute .

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AMC 12 Preparation Course – Lesson 01: Algebra

14. Find the value of