"It is not knowledge, but the act of learning, not possession but the act of getting there, which grants the greatest enjoyment." ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss

The moment you take a decisive step to cross the threshold of adventure, your life changes. And as with all grand adventures, it's not a solo endeavor. You have mentors, teachers, coaches, family, and friends who cheer us on, offer advice, provide support, and guide us through the journey so that we emerge better than when we started.

For many students, the MATHCOUNTS program represents that pivotal first step across the threshold. This was certainly the case for Richard Rusczyk, founder of Art of Problem Solving. When he competed at National MATHCOUNTS in 1985—only the second year of the National Competition—it proved to be a life-changing moment. That experience didn't just teach him mathematics; it revealed the profound joy that Gauss described in the "act of learning" itself.

Today, Richard and AoPS continue this legacy by helping young students discover that same transformative experience. We understand that competition isn't just about finding the right answer—it's about developing resilience, embracing challenge, and discovering that continuous improvement is where the real satisfaction lies.

The path isn't always smooth. Anxiety creeps in. Imposter syndrome whispers, "Am I truly good at math?" Once students realize that solving fascinating problems within a collaborative community is the true goal, every step along their mathematical adventure becomes meaningful and creates lasting memories.

The beauty of MATHCOUNTS lies not in the medals or rankings, but in the transformation it sparks. Students who once saw math as a solitary struggle discover it as a shared exploration. They learn that mistakes aren't failures but stepping stones. They find that the greatest victories often come not from winning competitions, but from helping a teammate understand a concept or finally grasping a problem that once seemed impossible.

These young mathematicians don't just cross a threshold—they become bridge-builders themselves, extending the invitation to others who stand at the edge of their own mathematical adventure. In doing so, they perpetuate the cycle that began with that first brave step, ensuring that future generations will also discover the extraordinary joy that lies in the simple, profound act of learning.

The threshold remains open. The adventure awaits. All it takes is that first decisive step.

Fun Facts about AoPS and MATHCOUNTS:

• AoPS has been a National Sponsor of MATHCOUNTS for many years, demonstrating their long-term commitment to nurturing young mathematical minds.
• Richard's MATHCOUNTS journey spans decades: he competed as a student in 1985, returned as a guest speaker in 1994 and 2002, and has participated in various capacities from 2003 onward.
• Richard served as an ESPN commentator for multiple years of the competition. His co-host for two competitions was Rob Stone, who later became the main studio commentator for the World Cup.
• AoPS created monthly MATHCOUNTS Minis videos starting in 2009, producing exactly 100 episodes before concluding the series in 2020.
• Each year during the competition, Richard speaks to parents about critical pursuits for middle and high school students while the Mathletes tackle contest problems during the intense testing period.
• In 2013, 325 students and teachers, along with AoPS founders, came together at MATHCOUNTS Nationals to set the Guinness World Record for the fastest human Pascal's Triangle formation.
• AoPS developed the MATHCOUNTS Trainer app in 2015, helping young Mathletes on their journey to the National Competition.

Here’s how one of our students described their MATHCOUNTS journey with AoPS

Learn more about AoPS classes by setting up a consultation today:  success@aops.com.

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