About Math Competitions

今年的AMC 10, 12已经考完了。关于数学竞赛，我认为贵在参与。这是孩子们挑战自我的机会，在这个过程中不只可以学到新的数学知识，还可以培养良好的学习习惯和做人品质。只要孩子们有兴趣，我鼓励他们参加这样的活动，但我也觉得什么事情都要适可而止，孩子们只要跟自己比较就好了，不需要同学之间，家长之间互相攀比，也不需要太功利。我认识几位数学竞赛成绩很好的孩子，不只成绩好，为人也很优秀，他们最终拿到了US Presidential Scholarship，我觉得是实至名归。跟他们聊起来，发现他们谦逊，大度，做学问非常专业，知无不言，言无不尽。比起竞赛成绩，我更欣赏他们的为人。

数学竞赛也是有利有弊，对思维可能会变成一种束缚。懂得多有懂得多的好处，懂得少也有懂得少的好处。我们读博的时候，几个老师流行什么都不给，连论文题目都不给，说让我们先尽情挖掘自己的想法，好好利用白纸一张这个状态，不要被已有的科学知识束缚住了。被这样训练出来的学生大部分留在了学术界，做得都很不错。有些奥数奖牌或者少年班的天才儿童后来反而比较平凡，有本科辍学的，有博士读不下来的，说自己“不擅长科研”，或者毕业以后直接去做重复性工作的。结论是我们做事情要有自己的主线，正确利用数学竞赛这些资源和机会，有计划有安排地进行，而不是盲目跟风追求成绩。

薛老师

2023年11月20日

This year's AMC 10 and 12 exams have already been completed. Regarding math competitions, I believe the value lies in participation. These events provide children with opportunities to challenge themselves. Through this process, they not only learn new mathematical concepts but also develop good study habits and personal qualities. As long as the children are interested, I encourage them to participate, but I also believe that everything should be done in moderation. I don’t see a need for parents to compare their children's performance with that of others or to push too hard for honors simply to feel better in conversations with others. Every child is different; interest is the key to success, and children should be allowed to lead and shine in their own way.

I know a few children who have excelled in math competitions. Not only are their academic results impressive, but they are also outstanding individuals. When talking to them, I found them humble, generous, and very professional in their approach to learning and communication. They share their knowledge openly and thoroughly. Compared to their grades, I admire their character even more. They eventually received the US Presidential Scholarship, which I believe they truly deserve.

Math competitions have both advantages and disadvantages, and at times, they can limit creativity. There are benefits to knowing a lot, but there are also advantages to knowing less. When we were pursuing our PhDs, some professors followed the practice of giving us nothing—no specific topics, not even paper titles. They encouraged us to explore our own ideas fully, to take advantage of a blank slate, and not be constrained by existing scientific knowledge. Most of the students trained in this way stayed in academia and did very well. On the other hand, some children who were once math competition medalists later led relatively ordinary lives. Some dropped out of college, some couldn’t finish their PhD studies, claiming they “weren’t good at research”, or went on to do repetitive jobs after graduation.

In summary, I believe we should make proper use of the resources and opportunities provided by math competitions, but approach them with a plan and purpose, rather than blindly following trends and chasing after grades.

Dr. Xue

Nov 20, 2023

The Power of Slowing Down

在这个什么事情都讲求“速度”的年代，我想提醒孩子们学数学要适当地“慢下来”。

偶尔听到家长互相攀比自己的孩子每天花几小时学数学或者做多少竞赛题。我并不觉得做题多做题快就有多好。我反而觉得题目留着慢慢做细细品味更有趣。遇到太简单的题目就跳过，遇到不喜欢或者没啥用的题目先放一放。做题的过程中多注重培养自己的创造力。有一批没做过的题目在手边也是一种财富。

有些孩子会担心自己答题速度不够快。我觉得“慢而准”也很好，或者更好。很多时候慢不是因为速度慢，而是因为考虑问题比较周到全面。这样的孩子往往更擅长解难题和没见过的题目，能看到别人看不到的东西。“快”有可能是熟练或者解题技巧训练的好。我觉得没必要过分强调。能“慢”是一个很好的品质。

薛老师

2023年10月29日

In this fast-paced world, where speed is often seen as the ultimate measure of success, I want to remind both children and parents that, in math, it’s sometimes better to slow down.

I often hear parents comparing how many hours their children spend solving math problems each day or how quickly they complete competition questions. There’s this assumption that more problems and faster results are always better. But I don’t believe that’s true. The beauty of math isn’t just about getting the answer quickly—it’s about understanding the process, reflecting on the concepts, and enjoying the problem-solving journey.

Taking time to engage with a problem deeply is far more valuable than rushing through a series of questions. If a problem feels too simple, instead of moving on quickly, reflect on why it's easy—what makes it interesting or foundational? If a problem seems unappealing, it’s okay to set it aside for later. Problems left unsolved on your desk are like seeds that will grow into valuable insights when revisited.

Many children worry that they solve problems too slowly compared to their peers. However, "slow and steady" is often more effective. Speed can come from familiarity or practice, but true understanding requires thoughtful consideration. A slower approach often means a deeper, more comprehensive grasp of the material. Kids who take the time to think things through are usually better at tackling unfamiliar or complex problems. They tend to see things others miss because they are thinking more creatively and critically.

Moreover, a focus on speed can create unnecessary pressure. The constant comparison between students’ performances—whether it’s about time spent on tasks or the number of problems solved—can lead to burnout and frustration. Math isn’t a race; it's about developing a personal understanding of concepts and learning at your own pace.

Every child is different. The key to success in math is not how fast you can complete problems but how deeply you engage with the material. Curiosity, patience, and creativity are the true drivers of success. Students should be allowed to learn at their own pace, to lead their learning process, and to shine in their own unique way.

So, let's embrace the power of slowing down. By taking the time to think, reflect, and explore, children can gain a deeper understanding of math, foster creativity, and develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Dr. Xue

Oct 29, 2023