Math Ability of Competitors

[UTF-8 U+6211 U+662F]

What about geometry and trig? This is not for any event in particular, but in general. Thank you for the feedback.

I know trigonometry is used in GeoLogic Mapping (certain trend/plunge measurements, bed thickness).

I'd say trig is fair game for Div C (it's effectively required for Geomaps) as well as for high end tests in some math-heavy Div B events - I've taken and written tests for Simple Machines with trig.

What sine, cosine, and tangent mean in relation to right triangles should be fine for B division.

[windu34]

Calculus should be intentionally avoided as much as possible in Div C tests. There are however some exceptions where basic calculus is necessary (Circuit Lab comes to mind) to solve problems, but supervisors should not intentionally try to test students understanding of calc.
The focus of calculation problems should be on critical thinking and problem solving, not math techniques.

[builderguy135]

Trig was used extensively in hovercraft and surprisingly even road at nats. I feel like most middle schoolers should know at least algebra 1 stuff right? (Basic trig functions, exponents/logs, quadratics, stuff like that)

As long as the test isn't too easy for the medalists, you're probably okay. Keep in mind that there are going to be some freshmen taking the test as well which have gone through algebra 1 (maybe algebra 2 or Geo depending on the school district?)

[Rossyspsce]

Trig was used extensively in hovercraft and surprisingly even road at nats. I feel like most middle schoolers should know at least algebra 1 stuff right? (Basic trig functions, exponents/logs, quadratics, stuff like that)

As long as the test isn't too easy for the medalists, you're probably okay. Keep in mind that there are going to be some freshmen taking the test as well which have gone through algebra 1 (maybe algebra 2 or Geo depending on the school district?)

Yeah freshman and even eighth graders in my school district are starting to be in algebra 2 and pre calc, with some rare cases of calculus

[UTF-8 U+6211 U+662F]

I feel like most middle schoolers should know at least algebra 1 stuff right? (Basic trig functions, exponents/logs, quadratics, stuff like that)

Disagree with this. Stuff like that isn't relevant for testing knowledge in most events (although I guess you need trig for physics events).

[Name]

I feel like most middle schoolers should know at least algebra 1 stuff right? (Basic trig functions, exponents/logs, quadratics, stuff like that)

Disagree with this. Stuff like that isn't relevant for testing knowledge in most events (although I guess you need trig for physics events).

When was exponents/logs and trig covered in alg 1? For me trig was first covered in class (extremely basic) in 9th grade geometry and exponents/logs, and a bit more advanced trig was covered in alg 2 this year.
Also with our scioly system, students as young as 6th grade can compete in div B, with alg 1 being first taught in 8th grade. Also 9th graders compete in C so unless you go ahead, exponents/logs, and trig aren't taught to us in div B.

[TheCrazyChemist]

I feel like most middle schoolers should know at least algebra 1 stuff right? (Basic trig functions, exponents/logs, quadratics, stuff like that)

Disagree with this. Stuff like that isn't relevant for testing knowledge in most events (although I guess you need trig for physics events).

When was exponents/logs and trig covered in alg 1? For me trig was first covered in class (extremely basic) in 9th grade geometry and exponents/logs, and a bit more advanced trig was covered in alg 2 this year.
Also with our scioly system, students as young as 6th grade can compete in div B, with alg 1 being first taught in 8th grade. Also 9th graders compete in C so unless you go ahead, exponents/logs, and trig aren't taught to us in div B.

We learn basic trig in geometry, which is meant for ninth graders to take. However, most people who do Science Olympiad in our school are accelerated a year or 2, so they take it in 8th grade. Basic exponents is also taught in algebra 1. Logarithms are taught in pre calc, so that's way over everyone's head. Div. B math should be basic algebra at the most. The computation problems should be about understanding the mechanics of the equation people will use, not understanding advanced forms of math.

[UTF-8 U+6211 U+662F]

Disagree with this. Stuff like that isn't relevant for testing knowledge in most events (although I guess you need trig for physics events).

When was exponents/logs and trig covered in alg 1? For me trig was first covered in class (extremely basic) in 9th grade geometry and exponents/logs, and a bit more advanced trig was covered in alg 2 this year.
Also with our scioly system, students as young as 6th grade can compete in div B, with alg 1 being first taught in 8th grade. Also 9th graders compete in C so unless you go ahead, exponents/logs, and trig aren't taught to us in div B.

We learn basic trig in geometry, which is meant for ninth graders to take. However, most people who do Science Olympiad in our school are accelerated a year or 2, so they take it in 8th grade. Basic exponents is also taught in algebra 1. Logarithms are taught in pre calc, so that's way over everyone's head. Div. B math should be basic algebra at the most. The computation problems should be about understanding the mechanics of the equation people will use, not understanding advanced forms of math.

I'd argue that if you're doing a physics event like Hovercraft where it's extremely applicable, then you should learn basic trig anyway (sohcahtoa). Conceptually, it's not too difficult to grasp.

[builderguy135]

When was exponents/logs and trig covered in alg 1? For me trig was first covered in class (extremely basic) in 9th grade geometry and exponents/logs, and a bit more advanced trig was covered in alg 2 this year.
Also with our scioly system, students as young as 6th grade can compete in div B, with alg 1 being first taught in 8th grade. Also 9th graders compete in C so unless you go ahead, exponents/logs, and trig aren't taught to us in div B.

We learn basic trig in geometry, which is meant for ninth graders to take. However, most people who do Science Olympiad in our school are accelerated a year or 2, so they take it in 8th grade. Basic exponents is also taught in algebra 1. Logarithms are taught in pre calc, so that's way over everyone's head. Div. B math should be basic algebra at the most. The computation problems should be about understanding the mechanics of the equation people will use, not understanding advanced forms of math.

I'd argue that if you're doing a physics event like Hovercraft where it's extremely applicable, then you should learn basic trig anyway (sohcahtoa). Conceptually, it's not too difficult to grasp.

Agreed. It's not like you can't just learn something new ahead of time if you need to learn an event with new math topics in it. If it's not too difficult, just learn it for the event.

[builderguy135]

I feel like most middle schoolers should know at least algebra 1 stuff right? (Basic trig functions, exponents/logs, quadratics, stuff like that)

Disagree with this. Stuff like that isn't relevant for testing knowledge in most events (although I guess you need trig for physics events).

When was exponents/logs and trig covered in alg 1? For me trig was first covered in class (extremely basic) in 9th grade geometry and exponents/logs, and a bit more advanced trig was covered in alg 2 this year.
Also with our scioly system, students as young as 6th grade can compete in div B, with alg 1 being first taught in 8th grade. Also 9th graders compete in C so unless you go ahead, exponents/logs, and trig aren't taught to us in div B.

Sorry, I could be wrong about what's taught in algebra 1. This was just off the top of my head.