Online Mental Math (Summer Session) Starting August 8

2026 AMC 8: 19 perfect scorers. 57 students got the DHR. 33 students got the HR.
2025 AMC/AIME: 104 AIME qualifiers. 1 AMC 10 perfect scorer. 1 AMC 12 perfect scorer.
2026 JMO/AMO: 8 USAMO Awardees and 7 USAJMO Awardees
- 1 USAMO Gold Award, 1 USAMO Silver Award, 4 USAMO Bronze Awards, and 2 USAMO Honorable Mention Awards.
- 1 USAJMO Top Winner, 1 USAJMO Winner, and 5 USAJMO Honorable Mention Awards.
2026 MOP: 4 MOP winners.
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Grade Levels: Grades 4-11

4 Classes (Eastern Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm), Total: 12 Hours
8/8, 8/9, 8/15, 8/16 (Mock Exam/Review)

Online Registration is now open! Click HERE to register and pay.

Tuition (including all materials)
Summer Session (12 Hours)
New Student:	Via Zelle: $540 (Phone: 240-300-4380) Please include your child’s name “Mental Math Summer” in the “Memo” box.
	Via PayPal: $560
Returning Student:	Via Zelle: $530 (Phone: 240-300-4380) Please include your child’s name “Mental Math Summer” in the “Memo” box.
	Via PayPal: $550
Click HERE to see payment and refund policy.

This is a live, interactive class, rather than a pre-recorded one. Instructors actively engage with students by asking questions, and students are encouraged to participate by asking their own questions during class or via email after class.
All lessons are recorded, allowing students to review and reinforce their learning through self-study. According to our policy, recorded class videos are strictly available to enrolled students and are not shared with parents.

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Online Mental Math Summer Session

Think Faster. Reason Better. Learn Smarter.

Starting August 8, 2026

Mental math is much more than performing calculations without a calculator. It is a powerful way to develop number sense, logical reasoning, concentration, and mathematical intuition.

In this course, students will learn elegant and efficient mental math strategies that transform complex calculations into simple, intuitive processes. Through carefully designed lessons and extensive practice, students will improve their computational fluency, recognize mathematical patterns, and build confidence in problem solving.

Mental math is not about memorizing shortcuts. It is about understanding the structure of numbers and learning how mathematicians think.

Why Learn Mental Math?

A Fundamental Skill for Every Student

This course is designed for all students, not only those preparing for mathematics competitions.

Strong mental math skills provide a foundation for success in mathematics, science, technology, and many other academic fields. Students who develop computational fluency are better able to:

Recognize patterns and relationships among numbers
Estimate and evaluate answers quickly
Detect errors and think critically
Approach unfamiliar problems with confidence
Develop flexible and creative problem-solving strategies

Whether a student participates in MathCounts, AMC, or other competitions, or simply wants to strengthen their mathematical ability, mental math training provides valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey.

Mental Math in the AI Era

In today’s rapidly changing world, artificial intelligence can perform calculations instantly. However, the ability to understand numbers, reason logically, evaluate information, and make sound decisions has become more important than ever.

Students with strong mental math foundations do not simply rely on technology—they understand how to use technology effectively. They can recognize whether an answer makes sense, identify mistakes, and approach problems with independent mathematical judgment.

These skills are valuable in every future field, including:

Engineering and computer science
Business and finance
Economics and data science
Medicine and scientific research
Entrepreneurship and innovation

Mental math is not simply about calculating faster—it is about learning to think better.

What Students Will Learn

Students will develop advanced computational skills through:

Efficient methods for multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages
Fast strategies for squaring numbers and simplifying calculations
Pattern recognition and mathematical shortcuts based on fundamental principles
Techniques involving powers, exponents, and radicals
Estimation and mental checking strategies
Improved concentration, memory, and mathematical confidence

Two Typical Mental Math Problems

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We warmly invite you to enroll in our online course — an efficient and effective way for students to engage with experienced instructors from anywhere. Classes are conducted via Google Meet, allowing students to interact face-to-face with teachers, learn proven strategies and shortcuts for excelling on math contests, and receive personalized guidance and support. Students can ask questions in real time and work through problems under the supervision of our expert coaches.
Click HERE for detailed instructions.

To gain the full benefit of the course, we recommend a commitment to the complete program. This ensures students master the key concepts, strategies, and techniques needed for long-term success.
Click HERE to review our attendance, absence, cancellation, and makeup lesson policy.

The emphasis of this class will be on comprehensive problem-solving in mental math. Particularly, we will help students use mental math for accurately and quickly solving math questions in their heads.
We will utilize a highly effective teaching model as described in the article: Small-sized Class Instruction-focused Model.

Instructors: Dr. Henry Wan

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Contact Information:
Ivy League Education Center
Tel: 240-300-4380
Email: chiefmathtutor@gmail.com

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Class Outline:

This class teaches students to develop quick problem-solving tips, tricks, tactics, and strategies, and improve computational speed and accuracy when preparing for math competitions. In particular, we will help students use mental math for accurately and quickly solving contest questions in their heads.

We reserve the right to adjust the teaching content and pace according to the actual performance of students .

Class

Date

Topic

8/8, Sat

Powerful Mental Math Strategies: Special Multiplication, Fractions, Decimals, and Percent Calculations

8/9, Sun

Using the Difference of Squares: Fast Methods for Squaring Numbers and Multiplying Numbers Mentally

8/15, Sat

Advanced Mental Computation: Pythagorean Triples, Perfect Squares, Exponents, and Powers

8/16, Sun

Mental Algebra Techniques: Rational Expressions, Rationalizing Denominators, and Simplifying Radicals

Two Typical Mental Math Problems:

Find the prime factorization of 2024 within few seconds.
Find the square of 135 within few seconds.

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Course Features

Live, interactive online instruction
Engaging lessons with step-by-step explanations
Comprehensive course handouts
Guided practice and problem-solving activities
Homework assignments with detailed solutions
Recorded lessons available for review
Instructor support for questions outside class

Course Philosophy

Our goal is not merely to train faster calculators, but to develop stronger thinkers.

By mastering mental math strategies, students learn to recognize patterns, approach problems creatively, and build confidence in their mathematical abilities. These skills form a foundation for lifelong learning and future success in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Build mathematical intuition. Strengthen problem-solving skills. Prepare for the future.

Homework Expectations:

Students are expected to dedicate a minimum of 2 hours per week to homework assignments. These assignments are an essential part of our curriculum and are carefully designed to reinforce classroom instruction, strengthen problem-solving skills, and build long-term mastery.

We believe that thoughtful practice and targeted correction are key to success in competitive math. Homework problems are selected to challenge students at an appropriate level and cover a wide range of topics aligned with AMC 8, MathCounts, and AMC 10 standards.

To learn more, please refer to the following articles:

Homework Assignments Are a Fundamental Part of Our Courses: This article explains our approach to designing meaningful and effective assignments.
Homework Correction Is Very Important: We strive to provide detailed feedback and individualized corrections to help each student understand their mistakes, reinforce key concepts, and improve their problem-solving skills.

You can also click HERE to view a typical homework sample developed by our instructors.

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We must acknowledge a simple truth: succeeding in these challenging competitions requires consistent practice. Just like in sports or music, the path to excellence is paved with repetition and effort. We firmly believe that intelligence is not fixed — it can be developed. With dedication and hard work, students can build remarkable levels of skill and expertise. Effort and perseverance are the true drivers of success. In the end, hard work pays off — practice truly makes perfect.

Main Purpose:

Our primary goal is to help students develop a deep understanding of essential mental math concepts, build a solid foundation in mental computation, and strengthen the creative thinking, critical reasoning, and problem-solving skills that are vital for long-term academic and professional success. We firmly believe in the power of mastering the fundamentals — and mental math is one of the most valuable, lifelong skills a student can acquire.

No matter a student’s current math level, everyone will have the opportunity to grow and thrive in a fun, engaging, and supportive learning environment. Most importantly, we want students to enjoy the journey — because when learning is enjoyable, it becomes enduring.

Our Students

In 2024, we had 90 students who obtained top scores on the AMC 8 contest!

10 of our students were among the top 116 worldwide winners (Perfect Scorers).
54 students received National Distinguished Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 1% test takers. They were among the 697 worldwide winners.
29 students received National Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 5% test takers. They were among the 2,683 worldwide winners.
93 out of our 96 students (96.9%) received National Awards for the AMC 8 from the Mathematical Association of America

In 2023, we had 99 students who qualified for the AIME either through the AMC 10A/12A or the AMC 10B/12B. One of our students was among the 11 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10B: Ali R. and one of our students was among the 13 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 12B: Yaoyun X. Read more at: 99 Students Qualified for the 2024 AIME and 2 Students Received Perfect Scores on the 2023 AMC 10/12

In 2023, we had 8 students who won USAMO awards and 7 students who won USAJMO awards.

1 USAMO Gold Award, 1 USAMO Silver Award, 4 USAMO Bronze Awards, and 2 USAMO Honorable Mention Awards.
1 USAJMO Top Winner, 1 USAJMO Winner, and 5 USAJMO Honorable Mention Awards.

In 2023, we had 90 students who obtained top scores on the AMC 8 contest!

8 of our students were among the top 81 worldwide winners (Perfect Scorers).
51 students received National Distinguished Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 1% test takers. They were among the 697 worldwide winners.
31 students received National Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 5% test takers. They were among the 2,571 worldwide winners.
90 out of our 93 students (96.8%) received National Awards for the AMC 8 from the Mathematical Association of America.

In 2022, we had 96 students who qualified for the AIME either through the AMC 10A/12A or the AMC 10B/12B. One of our students was among the 6 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Justin W. and one of our students was among the 3 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 12B: Ming Y. Read more at: 96 Students Qualified for the 2023 AIME and 2 Students Received Perfect Scores on the 2023 Fall AMC 10/12

In 2022, we had 3 students qualified for the Math Olympiad Summer Program. Read more at: Brendon J., Kyle S., and Isabella Z. Qualified for the 2022 Math Olympiad Summer Program

In 2022, we had 1 student Competes in International Girls’ Math Olympiad. Read more at: sabella Z. Competes in International Girls’ Math Olympiad

In 2022, we had 7 students qualified for the USAMO and 7 students for the USAJMO. Read more at: 2022 USAMO and USAJMO Qualifiers Announced — Seven Students Qualified for the USAMO and Seven Students for the USAJMO.

In 2022, we had 88 students who obtained top scores on the AMC 8 contest!

10 of our students were among the top 131 worldwide winners (Perfect Scorers), as shown in Table 1. Click Here see a full list of the 131 worldwide winners.
52 students received National Distinguished Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 1% test takers. They were among the 1,010 worldwide winners. Click HERE see a full list.
26 students received National Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 5% test takers. They were among the 2,449 worldwide winners. Click HERE see a full list.
88 out of our 91 students (96.7%)received National Awards for the AMC 8 from the Mathematical Association of America

In Fall 2021, we had 93 students who are qualified to take the AIME either through the AMC 10A/12A or AMC 10B/12B. One of our students was among the 5 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Nina L. and one of our students was among the 2 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10B: Ming Y. Read more at: 93 Students Qualified for the 2021 Fall AIME and 2 Students Received Perfect Scores on the 2021 Fall AMC 10/12

In 2021, we had 6 students qualified for the USAMO and 6 students for the USAJMO. Read more at: 2021 USAMO and USAJMO Qualifiers Announced — Six Students Qualified for the USAMO and Six Students for the USAJMO

In Spring 2021, we had 91 students who are qualified to take the AIME either through the AMC 10A/12A or AMC 10B/12B. Two of our students was among the 17 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 12A: Evan L. and Suraj O. and one of our students was among the 27 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Xinchen L. Read more at: 91 Students Qualified for the 2021 AIME and 3 Students Received Perfect Scores on the 2021 AMC 10/12

In 2021, we had 8 students who got into the MathCounts state-level top 10. Yunyi L. won 9th Place in the 2021 MathCounts National Competition!

In 2020, we had 79 students who obtained top scores on the AMC 8 contest!

5 of our students were among the top 57 worldwide winners (Perfect Scorers).
49 students received National Distinguished Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 1% test takers.
25 students received National Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 5% test takers.
79 out of our 81 students (97.5%) received National Awards for the AMC 8 from the Mathematical Association of America.

In 2020, we had 82 students who are qualified to take the AIME either through the AMC 10A/12A or AMC 10B/12B. One of our students was among the 11 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 12A: Yiyang X, and one of our students was among the 13 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Jason W.. 43 middle schoolers and 9 elementary schoolers qualified for the AIME!

In 2019, we had 71 students who obtained top scores on the AMC 8 contest!

8 of our students were among the top 151 National Winners (Perfect Scorers), including 2 sixth graders.
36 students received National Distinguished Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 1% test takers, as shown in Table 2.
27 students received National Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 5% test takers, as shown in Table 3.
71 out of our 73 students (97.3%) received National Awards for the AMC 8 from the Mathematical Association of America

In 2019, we had 4 Students Qualified for the USAMO and 4 Students for the USJMO.

Of the 280 USA Math Olympiad national qualifiers, 4 are our students: Luke C., Zipeng L., Sameer P., and Peter P.
Of the 235 USA Junior Math Olympiad national qualifiers, 4 are our students: Michael H., Noah W., Holden W., and Isabella Z.

In 2019, we had 76 students who are qualified to take the AIME either through the AMC 10A/12A or AMC 10B/12B. One of our students was among the 22 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Noah W. and one of our students were among the 10 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 12B: Kenneth W. Very impressively, 32 middle schoolers and 7 elementary schoolers qualified for the AIME!

In 2018, we had 64 students who obtained top scores on the AMC 8 contest!

3 of our students were among the top 44 National Winners (Perfect Scorers): Eric B., Kevin Y., and Isabella Z.
40 students received National Distinguished Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 1% test takers.
21 students received National Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 5% test takers.
64 out of our 66 students (96.5%) received National Awards for the AMC 8 from the Mathematical Association of America

In 2018, we had 73 students who are qualified to take the AIME either through the AMC 10A/12A or AMC 10B/12B. Two of our students were among the 35 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Austen M. and Jason W. and two of our students were among the 21 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 12B: Kaan D. and Edward W. Remarkably, 11 middle schoolers and 2 elementary schoolers qualified for the AIME!

In 2017, we had 63 students who earned top scores on the AMC 8 contest!

7 of our students were among the top 75 National Winners (Perfect Scorers).
34 students received National Distinguished Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 1% test takers.
22 students received National Honor Roll Certificates awarded to top 5% test takers.
63 out of our 65 students (97%) received National Awards for the AMC 8 from the Mathematical Association of America

In 2017, we had 61 students who are qualified to take the AIME either through the AMC 10A/12A or AMC 10B/12B. One of our students was among the 28 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Austen M., and two of our students were among the 65 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10B: Ashwin A. and Brad Z. Remarkably, eight middle schoolers and one elementary schooler qualified for the AIME, which is geared toward high school students. Very impressively, Bryan Z., a 6th grader, gained a score of 132 out of 150 on the AMC 10B.Read more at: 2017 AIME Qualifiers Announced — 61 Students Qualified for the AIME

In 2016, we had 36 students who are qualified to take AIME either through AMC 10A/12A or AMC 10B/12B. One of our students was among the 23 Perfect Scorers worldwide on the AMC 10A: Joel (Junyao) T. Particularly, seven middle schoolers and one elementary schooler qualified for the AIME, which is geared toward high school students. Pravalika P., a 6th grader, got a 115.5 out of 150 on the AMC10B, which is very impressive. Read more at: 2016 AIME Qualifiers Announced — 36 Students Qualified for AIME

2011 – 2015: In total, 37 students scored above 120 on the American Mathematics Contest 10 (AMC 10) and qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME); 26 students scored above 100 on the American Mathematics Contest 12 (AMC 12) and qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME); 3 students qualified for the USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), the highest level of math competition for high school students in the USA

2011 – 2015: In total, 23 students achieved perfect scores of 28 on the AMC 8

Read more at: Notable Achievements of Our Students

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Our Uniqueness

We have a long history of close collaboration with the MAA’s American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), which are dedicated to strengthening the mathematical capabilities of our nation’s youth, and are the first of a series of competitions in high school mathematics that determine the United States team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

We are only one in the Washington DC metropolitan area to offer elementary, middle, and high-school level competition math courses. Our students have received top scores and awards at prestigious national and math competitions.

Great Benefits of Math Competitions

In an increasingly competitive college application pool, the process of mastering math skills through our courses and participating in the American Math Competitions will help students strengthen and diversify their extracurricular activities. These contests can motivate students’ interest and passion in math, and they can discover their talent through solving challenging problems different from those in the school classes. Many top colleges also request AMC scores as part of the college application process. Both MIT and Caltech have entry blanks on their official admission application forms for the applicant to enter their best AMC and AIME scores. Ivy League Colleges and Stanford ask for to the AMC and AIME scores in their Supplement to the Common Application Forms. Your children deserve the chance to list these scores on their applications! Good AMC scores will greatly enhance admission opportunities for students to elite colleges.

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