Member Survey: Attend a local math circle, club, or class outside of school?

We are just trying to get a sense of the ways people on Brilliant have interactions with math when they aren't online.

Please vote on our respective comments so we can get a sense of who you all are.

Comment 1: Vote up this comment if you attend a local, math circle, club or extracurricular class at least once a month. Please reply to this comment and tell us where your local math support his held. E.g. University of Chicago Young Scholars Program, Philippines Olympiad Team training, High school Math club, etc.

Comment 2: Vote up this comment if you do not have a local math circle, club, or extracurricular class, but wish that you did. If this describes you, please reply to this comment describing what keeps you from having a local math community outside of school. E.g. you don't have the time, there is no local math community outside of regular school where you are, they cost lots of money etc...

#LearningResources #BrilliantAnnouncements #Math

Easy Math Editor

This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.

When posting on Brilliant:

Use the emojis to react to an explanation, whether you're congratulating a job well done , or just really confused .
Ask specific questions about the challenge or the steps in somebody's explanation. Well-posed questions can add a lot to the discussion, but posting "I don't understand!" doesn't help anyone.
Try to contribute something new to the discussion, whether it is an extension, generalization or other idea related to the challenge.
Stay on topic — we're all here to learn more about math and science, not to hear about your favorite get-rich-quick scheme or current world events.

Markdown	Appears as
`italics` or `_italics_`	italics
`bold` or `__bold__`	bold
- bulleted - list	bulleted list
1. numbered 2. list	numbered list
Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
paragraph 1 paragraph 2	paragraph 1 paragraph 2
`[example link](https://brilliant.org)`	example link
`> This is a quote`	This is a quote
# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"	# I indented these lines # 4 spaces, and now they show # up as a code block. print "hello world"

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

Vote up this comment if you do not have a local math circle, club, or extracurricular class, but wish that you did. If this describes you, please reply to this comment describing what keeps you from having a local math community outside of school. E.g. you don't have the time, there is no local math community outside of regular school where you are, they cost lots of money etc...

Calvin Lin Staff - 7 years, 6 months ago

My school environment is totally unfit for science and maths(I'm speaking the truth, not demoralizing anyone) and I have only one buddy who is ready to discuss maths with me if the problems are from school textbook(ridiculous!). Fairly speaking, my interest in maths was sparked a few months ago and I'm still not that good. I believe that age isn't a factor if one desires to learn and the Brilliant community is just the place! Speaking about Physics and chemistry, I don't like them as well. Programming is something I enjoy and it's my passion ;)

And speaking about the maths club, when I asked my maths teacher about opening one, his reply was-"Don't waste my time and yours too. concentrate only on your syllabus". It's like if I get to know a formula outside the book, he will suffer from disease.

Kou$htav Chakrabarty - 7 years, 6 months ago

Same here bro, my teacher say that to everything I do, "don't study number theory you are wasting your time, stick to the syllabus, don't use techniques that are not given in your text books". And we do have a math club, one for the namesake, no meetings, no quizzes or competition, no help for the preparation of Olympiads, nothing . PS: I go to Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Abhijeeth Babu - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Abhijeeth Babu –

I go to Kendriya Vidyalaya

Which one? I go to K.V. too.

Kou$htav Chakrabarty - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Kou$htav Chakrabarty – KV Adoor, and you ?

Abhijeeth Babu - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Abhijeeth Babu – KV Paradip Port

Kou$htav Chakrabarty - 7 years, 6 months ago

Seems like your teacher absolutely doesn't care about 'pushing' the interest of students, especially for math.

I know some teachers like yours too, and speaking the truth, I don't like those type of teachers. They'll just limit your knowledge, and it seems that they don't want their students to be smarter (than the teachers).

I think that's one of the factors why some students all over the world hate math - they just relate math with formulas/formulae (I prefer formulas) and complicated numbers. They just don't know that math is exciting and interesting when you're out of the school's syllabus. Maybe they assume that math clubs will be the worst place ever on earth, while students with passion in math will find math club as an awaited activity.

Vincent Tandya - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Vincent Tandya – Exactly! That's what happened to me. I hated maths and now I find myself at Brilliant everyday!

Kou$htav Chakrabarty - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Vincent Tandya – True! :)

Happy Melodies - 7 years, 6 months ago

The last line that you wrote is so applicable to my life. I notice that we both are Indians, and there are a plenty of demoralizers around us.

Akshat Jain - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Akshat Jain – Yeah , exactly . When one motivates us to go ahead - there are thousands to pull you down :(

Priyansh Sangule - 7 years, 6 months ago

I am from IISER Pune so there are many maths enthusiastic people around. Problem is that I am a Ph.D. student and my colleagues show occasional interest for the problems like problems on brilliant but never sit there and try to solve them. Undergrads here are much better but our schedules clash heavily and we can't interact frankly speaking. I wish I could make Ph.D. guys join me and have intense work on basic physics and mathematics. Sadly, I could not do it so far. Do you have any suggestion for me?

Snehal Shekatkar - 7 years, 6 months ago

The cost, the lack of interest of others.

Abhijeeth Babu - 7 years, 6 months ago

Yes, this describes me. What keeps me from being a part of these communities is a couple of reasons. First is, my parents think this is waste of time, as they support the math that is not 'out of course'. They think that this is 'deviating me from my goal'. So they try to keep my away from it. Secondly, to my information, there aren't any math organisations or communities in my locality, and people, here, are really phobic to math, and prefer to keep away from it. Even when they spot me solving math or opening books, they kind of bully me using words like 'nerd'. This is sad, though it doesn't shake my dedication and love towards math. :)

Akshat Jain - 7 years, 6 months ago

lack of interest in parents&teachers for extracurricular activities.....can't be helped.....in my country everyone is scared about what others think....and nothing is more important than IIT here in India....atleast for my age group.....they start saying..."this wont appear in IIT,so just stop messing our dream"

Vaibhav Reddy - 7 years, 6 months ago

to frankly say.....I don't find any maths training center near my house

Vaibhav Reddy - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Vaibhav Reddy – Absolutely right.

Abhijeeth Babu - 7 years, 6 months ago

This is a poor place has not many proper mathematics teachers leave math circles or anything as such only thing they do is to brood over books and do anti-socialistic activities.I am tired of this place.

Rajarshi Chatterjee - 7 years, 6 months ago

:) Just see the fraction of Indians on the leader-board on Brilliant! How do you know that these problems are not there in other parts of world? India has produced numerous prominent scientists and mathematicians and the situation, though bad, is not that much bad as you are thinking.

Snehal Shekatkar - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Snehal Shekatkar – yes.....the Indians are pretty much good in Mathematics....I agree in what you said.... but I guess $Rajarshi$ is also right in his defense.....but yes,university professors are great,giving a lot of encouragement in other parts of mathematics.....but since $Rajarshi$ is a college student...so I guess he is also right(my experience as well)

Vaibhav Reddy - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Vaibhav Reddy – As I am somewhat elder to you guys, let me tell you my experiences. I have already completed University education and I am about to finish my Ph.D. in physics. If you guys are thinking that after going to university everything is going to be very nice and everybody will be very enthusiastic, you are absolutely wrong! I had similar experiences as you are telling here not only in my college life in B.Sc. or even before that. And I used to think, let me go to university, and everything would be great! It just didn't happen that way and I think this is general scenario. True, that the number of good teachers was greater in university than in my college, but qualitatively everything is same. Now I am in a research institute and you may think that it must be very great! Even greater than university. No guys! You may just read my reply to David Sir. Its almost same everywhere.

Now let me tell you something positive. Just keep going instead of complaining about situation around you! Ignore negative things and pick every positive bit you see around and you will realize that it works! You may not be able to change the whole system, but definitely you will succeed and will help other people to do so. The whole situation, at least for India, would change by our little efforts and additive effect of our little pushes. So.. just chill.. and keep going on! :)

Snehal Shekatkar - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Snehal Shekatkar – Sir, it isnt just about unenthusiastic teachers, as parents have a role to play in it too......... all they expect from you is to get a job first(READ AS: ENGINEER, DOCTOR, IAS AND SO ON ). I am really really lucky my parents support my dream of getting into research instead of just an ordinary engineering profession.

Omkar Banare - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Omkar Banare – Yup.. :)

Snehal Shekatkar - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Omkar Banare – But my parents do'nt.. They think engineering is a "safer side".. They want me to give JEE next year and clear it.. I am now admitted in Delhi University BSc. Physics.. and I tell you its not good here.. Only a few of the BSc. people here want to go to research(in fact only 3-4 in my class including me).. Others think of going for civil services etc. All they think is that research does'nt earn you a living... But I wo'nt give up.. I will try..

Krishna Jha - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Krishna Jha – 3-4 is quite a big number.. :-) You don't need to get nervous by looking at other people. And yes.. everybody has his or her own interest so we cannot decide what other people should do.. so just be on track keep doing good study. Best wishes!

Snehal Shekatkar - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Snehal Shekatkar – I've just become a fan of yours....i mean the thinking of yours....

Thank you...those were some good words to lift the spirit

Vaibhav Reddy - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Snehal Shekatkar – Can you please tell , by the way, about undergraduate mathematics at IISER ??..

SAMARTH M.O. - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Samarth M.O. – Its good.. At least at IISER Pune... I don't know about other IISERs.. Of course frustrating things exist here also.. But I see quite good research activity around..

Snehal Shekatkar - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Snehal Shekatkar – please can u specify what those frustrating things are?? Wat about undergrads there??

Varun Ramaprasad - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Varun Ramaprasad – Undergrads are good.. I don't think it is appropriate to say what are frustrating things here.. But for somebody of your age, those things would be of no concern at all if you come here.. I keep ignoring them for myself.. :)

Snehal Shekatkar - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Snehal Shekatkar – Just look at the number of Indians commenting on this post saying how they miss a math club/community in their schools. I think that pretty much explains a lot. The situation is the same with me and I understand exactly how other fellow students must be feeling.

Anik Chakrabarty - 7 years, 6 months ago

I agree with you about 90%. If you are spending time at the library in a free period, bullies are sure to prank you!(it had happened with me and still happens).

Kou$htav Chakrabarty - 7 years, 6 months ago

Seconded.

Abhijeeth Babu - 7 years, 6 months ago

No local math community outside of my school..

Chan Ming Xian - 7 years, 6 months ago

There is no local math community outside of my school.

Shendy Marcello Yuniar - 7 years, 6 months ago

There is no local maths club, where I live. But we do have a maths quiz which involves all of the schools.

SABAB AHAD - 7 years, 6 months ago

I don't involve on local math circle, club, or extracurricular. Outside maybe there is exist the community like this, but I don't know, because lack of information. Although, the lack of information, I just know there are exist many group in social network, i.e. Facebook group for example "Cinta Studi Matematika" as part of Indonesia user. The members of group is active for post the problem, give hint, and math competition events.

Andrias Meisyal - 7 years, 6 months ago

As an information, you can also check facebook group "OSN Matematika", a group of many, if not all, Indonesians discussing olympiad problems, especially for High School. One of the admin is a Brilliant user too!

Vincent Tandya - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Vincent Tandya – yes, you're right. It's too..

Andrias Meisyal - 7 years, 6 months ago

There is no local math community outside our regular school.

Noel Quirol - 7 years, 6 months ago

I am from Newcastle, Australia and there isn't any math club here even though there are so many soon-to-be mathematicians.

Sharky Kesa - 7 years, 6 months ago

I am working on founding a math circle in Morgan Hill. We are having our first meeting on December 1st, and I am super excited to work on interesting math problems with people who are genuinely passionate about the subject outside of school!

Nina Singh - 7 years, 6 months ago

I'm excited for you too!

Ajala Singh - 7 years, 6 months ago

I used to have one, but it was structured around Mathcounts, which ended in 8th grade. Now, all I have to help with my math is the internet and some (one or two) friends.

I went to A* Math Camp about a year ago, and it was arguably the best experience of my life. I wish I still go to a math club; it would help tremendously.

Josh Petrin - 7 years, 6 months ago

I live in Botswana(Africa) we don't have such things(Well not my school). At least there is a South African math contest that I can take part in.

Nico Stirling - 7 years, 6 months ago

My school does not have any math club...

Mahin Roddur - 7 years, 6 months ago

Vote up this comment if you attend a local, math circle, club or extracurricular class at least once a month. Please reply to this comment and tell us where your local math support his held. E.g. University of Chicago Young Scholars Program, Philippines Olympiad Team training, High school Math club, etc.

Calvin Lin Staff - 7 years, 6 months ago

The place which I attend can't exactly be described as a math club, but rather a coaching institution where people are taught good old "Olympiad style" math. It's called the Ramanujan Study of Mathematics (RSM). It's a very cool place, there are math enthusiasts and is an ideal place to study and discuss math. Man I 'm lucky to go there.

Piyal De - 7 years, 6 months ago

hi piyal . . is RSM the one i find at this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvlmbAI2Hsw

Can i more about RSM? City, subjects (only math or PCM) , batches of which standards etc.

Piyushkumar Palan - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Piyushkumar Palan – Hello Piyush!! Sorry bro, but I couldn't 'understand' the video, pardon me. See Piyush, RSM, as I mentioned, is a coaching institution where students (like me) are given classes, where we are given preparations on cracking RMO, INMO , ISI and CMI entrances i.e. primarily for the Bachelor's level. Also, people go there to take training for the admission test of getting admitted to M.Stat (ISI) course. So, in a nutshell it's a coaching institute that provides preparation for cracking 'math competitions'. RSM is situated in Kolkata, West Bengal. As you're in IIT ( CONGRATS FOR THAT!!!) I think you should think about RSM.

Piyal De - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Piyal De – Thanks piyal for the details. i passed out from IIT-Kgp ... me too enjoying coaching students for cracking 'math competitions' back at my place. so was curious about similar work in the country.

Would like to be in touch with RSM ... do they have their website ?

Piyushkumar Palan - 7 years, 6 months ago

In fact, I have started my own math club here at Wadsworth High School.

Bob Krueger - 7 years, 6 months ago

Math clubs at my school (unfortunately most of the questions my club does is too easy for me since im like the top mathematician in my school)

I created my own Facebook Math Group, does that count?

Yan Yau Cheng - 7 years, 6 months ago

Same here, mathletes problems are way too easy =_=

Michael Tong - 7 years, 6 months ago

Cool! Can I join you Math Group?

Christopher Boo - 7 years, 6 months ago

Me too. I am also a member in a Math club in my school...

敬全钟 - 7 years, 6 months ago

I attend a math circle called Ramanujan Gonit Songho (Ramanujan Math Circle). Unfortunately, there is no specific location where it is held. Most of the time, they can't find a class room.

Mursalin Habib - 7 years, 6 months ago

We have a Math Club at Raffles Girls' School. I also attend the Singapore International Mathematical Olympiad Senior Team training which is held at NUS (National University of Singapore). Other classes are conducted for olympiad training by my school.

Anqi Li - 7 years, 6 months ago

I attend a math club held by my school, once a week. And yeah, most of the problems given are fairly easy, compared to Brilliant problems.

Vincent Tandya - 7 years, 6 months ago

I found my way into a university that doesn't really care all too much about math unfortunately. I am in a "club" where we prepare for the Undergraduate Putnam competition, but its really just me, two other students who are interested in the competition, and the coach. I did a ton of extracurricular math in highschool, but then I graduated. I'm hoping my plans for transfer come through.

Logan Dymond - 7 years, 6 months ago

Good luck transferring! About half of all Americans I know, had to transfer at some point as undergraduates. It can be a real pain, but is pretty much always worth it.

Peter Taylor Staff - 7 years, 6 months ago

The Payton Citywide Math Circle is open to any and all Chicagoland middle- and high-school students who like math. The official website is paytonmathcircle.org. It requires you to register and space is very limited, but if you manage to get a spot, you should definitely go! It's every other Saturday at Walter Payton High School throughout the year.

Sotiri Komissopoulos - 7 years, 6 months ago

I used to hang out at WPMC, and it's a great place for those in Chicagoland.

Sotiri, glad to see that you went to UOC, another one of my stomping grounds. Hope you're doing 207.

Calvin Lin Staff - 7 years, 6 months ago

mathletes (Edgemont high school)-- competing in westchester-putnam math league as well as new york state math league and some years american regions mathematics league, too

our school does AMC too

I have a close circle of friends (really just me and two other people) and we do maths (team comps like OMO and individual comps like USAMTS and stuff)

Michael Tong - 7 years, 6 months ago

I'm in a High School Math Club, but the name is misleading because we specifically only practice for 3 Mu Alpha Theta regional competitions. I also volunteer at a Middle School Math Club.

Justin Wong - 7 years, 6 months ago

My US state has a math league which meets once a week and has five "meets" over the course of the year.

Michael Tang - 7 years, 6 months ago

Dos Pueblos Math Club, Santa Barbara Math Ellipse

Adam Dai - 7 years, 6 months ago

there is no local math community outside of regular school where I am

Advitiya Brijesh - 7 years, 6 months ago

There is no local math community close by of which i know. Even if there is one , i have not been able to find it .

Mohit Sharma - 7 years, 6 months ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$