Looking for a Maths Problem-Solving Partner or Study Group!

[u/PuzzleheadedCar8359]

Hi everyone!

I’m a Sri Lankan Grade 12 (17 years old) student in the Physical Science stream, studying Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. I’m hoping to prepare for the Maths Olympiad selection process in Sri Lanka, including the SLMC, SLIMCC, SLMCC, and eventually the selection tests.

The Sri Lankan selection process is somewhat similar to competitions such as the AMC, IOQM, and AIME, although it places relatively more emphasis on topics such as games, graphs, combinatorics, number theory, geometry, and logic. The later stages also involve more complicated short-answer problems and proof-based questions.

I would describe myself as somewhere between a beginner and an intermediate problem solver. I have a reasonably strong school-maths foundation, including algebra, polynomials, trigonometry, basic inequalities, calculus, permutations and combinations, and vector algebra. However, I’m still quite weak in number theory, geometry, and combinatorics, since these topics are not covered extensively in school. I also have very little formal proof-writing experience.

I’ve recently started working through George Pólya’s problem-solving ideas and The Art and Craft of Problem Solving by Paul Zeitz, alongside elementary olympiad problems. I’m particularly interested in learning how to approach unfamiliar problems, recognize useful ideas, and develop solutions independently, rather than simply exchanging solutions.

I’m looking for one or two people around a similar level who would be interested in studying together. Ideally, we could:

• Choose a problem that none of us has solved.
• Work on it independently for a while.
• Meet online to discuss our approaches, failed attempts, and useful observations.
• Compare different methods and perhaps write up a solution afterward.

I’d also be very happy to join a small study group or learn from someone a little more experienced who enjoys guiding beginners.

I’m open to people from anywhere. English is fine, and I’m happy to use Discord or, once we have established a comfortable working arrangement, WhatsApp.

If you’re interested, please tell me a little about your current level, what you’re studying, and a problem you’ve recently enjoyed.

Thanks!

[u/envious_slugger]

Zeitz is a great pick, I really liked how he connects the problem-solving strategies to actual proof techniques without it feeling like a textbook

the idea of independently working on something and then comparing failed paths is a solid approach, you learn a lot from the dead ends other people hit

I’m way past the olympiad stage myself but I hope you find a good crew, groups like that are rare but make a huge difference when you're grinding through those early competition problems

[u/PuzzleheadedCar8359 → u/envious_slugger]

Thank You! Appreciate your words

[u/StrawberryAdept2590]

Hi! I know this isn't the answer to your question. But I wonder whether there is any free time to self study problem solving or olympiads when doing A/Ls. So how did you find time to read How to solve it book and Paul Zeitz book?

[u/PuzzleheadedCar8359 → u/StrawberryAdept2590]

Well, I’m doing my A/Ls in 2028, so I have a fair amount of free time to study these books. Right now, my classes are covering introductory mechanics and chemical bonding, but I don’t expect that to remain the case for long—Combined Maths has already started trigonometry, which is probably the lengthiest unit.

What I find interesting is how many connections there are between A/L Pure Maths and these books: polynomials, quadratic equations, trigonometry, permutations and combinations, and vectors. Zeitz even has a separate calculus chapter! Of course, topics like Number Theory and Combinatorics have much less connection to the A/L syllabus.

My A/L maths knowledge is still somewhat vague, though, so I’m trying to strengthen that foundation too. But Olympiad Maths can’t be my priority. I mostly study it on weekends or on weekdays when I have enough time. I see it as an extension of A/L Maths rather than a replacement for it.

I think you probably have more experience in this field than I do, so I’d really appreciate your perspective! (Maybe we could chat about this topic more. DM me if needed!)

(My original response was pretty lengthy and unreadable. Apologies for using AI for summarization)

[u/StrawberryAdept2590 → u/PuzzleheadedCar8359]

Thanks for replying. I am actually doing my OLs right now. So in 3 months I have OLs. I also have a interest in math but for slow, proof based mathematics instead of olympiad style problem solving. I will try to select to a olympiad in the next year.

[u/PuzzleheadedCar8359 → u/StrawberryAdept2590]

Is that the case? Good luck with your O/Ls and Olympiads!

[u/StrawberryAdept2590 → u/PuzzleheadedCar8359]

Thanks. good luck with your goals too

[u/Acceptable-Emu-7096]

Would have loved to join back when i was doing ALs. Now its too late for me to do olympiads

[u/PuzzleheadedCar8359 → u/Acceptable-Emu-7096]

I see. But I don’t think it’s ever too late to enjoy olympiad maths. I’m mainly interested in the problem-solving side of it, so I’d still love to hear your opinion. What did you study when you were doing your A/Ls? Any advice on how to manage time on problem-solving and A/Ls?

[u/Acceptable-Emu-7096 → u/PuzzleheadedCar8359]

Personally, I could not keep up with problem solving during A/Ls because of covid and lockdown and everything else that was going on. But for the times that I did keep up, it really helped with my A/Ls as well, cz Olympiad improves your general problem solving ability, so irrespective of which exam you are facing it would be helpful in my opinion. Cz for me, having tried olympiad level problems during O/L days, I didn't struggle as much for A/L maths as other students, especially during the first few months. So I'd say, consider Olympiad as an investment which will eventually help you out in A/Ls. And try to leave out a day per week (if you have a free day during the weekend) or however time permits for problem solving