Extensions
MoMath's online math program for grades 6–12
featuring Chaim Goodman-Strauss
Combinatorics minicourse | Prerequisites | Registration and Policies
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Winter 2025: Combinatorics minicourse
How to Count
January 19 through April 27
Sundays, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET
(online)
Combinatorics minicourse: How to Count
Students, join MoMath’s Outreach Mathematician, Chaim Goodman-Strauss, online for a combinatorics minicourse, “How to Count,” designed to engage and challenge mathematically talented students in grades 6–12 from around the country. Counting is not as simple as it seems! For example:
- How many ways are there to color the faces of a cube with three colors?
- How many ways are there to arrange the digits 1, 2, 3 and 4 in a four-by-four grid so that no number appears more than once in any row or column?
- How many ways are there to arrange eight queens on a chessboard so that none are able to attack each other?
- How many ways are there to sum to 24 with four distinct positive integers?
- How many five-card deals have exactly three-of-a-kind and two unmatched cards?
In this course, we’ll learn about the powerful tools from a branch of mathematics called combinatorics. These tools are able to tackle the above counting problem and many more, with various surprising connections.
Online sessions will be held on Sundays, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET, on the following dates:
- January 19
- February 2
- February 16
- March 2
- March 23
- April 6
- April 27
Materials required: Pencil, notebook, deck of playing cards, and pair of dice, and printout.
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Prerequisites
Students who have participated in an accelerated or gifted program or have demonstrated strong math skills and knowledge are best suited for success in this program. There is no admissions process for this program; students may register for the course if they would enjoy a math program that challenges mathematically-precocious students who seek a deeper study of mathematics that what is typically offered in the standard school curriculum.
Registration and Policies
Space is limited, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no refunds or credits for missed classes or withdrawals, or for any other reason. The pace of the instruction is designed for an accelerated audience; please note that recordings of the program will not be available for review or purchase. By registering, parents and students attest that the student meets the prerequisites for this series.
MoMath will make every effort to run classes as scheduled, however, occasionally severe inclement weather or other unusual circumstances beyond MoMath’s control may require that a class be cancelled. If such a cancellation occurs, MoMath may, at its sole discretion, offer make-up sessions.
Note that the series will run only if a minimum number of participants register before the start date of the first session of the series. In the rare event that the series is cancelled, registrants will be notified and provided with a full refund.
MoMath does not provide make-up classes for absences. Each Extensions course accepts a limited enrollment in order to provide individualized attention to each student. While many reasons may cause a student to miss a class, a registered student holds a reserved seat while others may be turned away due to limited capacity. Additionally, the Museum provides staffing and other resources based on registration. For these reasons, the Museum has a strict no-refund and no make-up policy.
All Extensions participants are expected to exhibit good behavior to ensure a positive experience for everyone. At its sole discretion, MoMath may remove a student from the session or from the entire series for behavioral reasons. If a student is removed for behavioral reasons, for either the day or the remainder of the program, no refund will be issued.
