Syllabus Introduction to Counting & Probability
Introduction to Counting & Probability includes basic and intermediate counting concepts, including
casework, multiplication, permutations, combinations, Pascal’s triangle, probability, combinatorial
identities, and the Binomial Theorem.
This course is specifically designed for high-performing students and draws material from many
programs for top middle and high school students in the country. Our philosophy is that students develop
more by learning to solve problems they haven’t seen before, as opposed to offering repeated drills that
students can memorize their way through. In this way, our classes are structured much more like courses
at top-tier colleges.
Book: Introduction to Counting & Probability, by David Patrick
Time Commitment: This 50-lesson self-paced course includes 50–70 hours of total work, corresponding
to a half-year course.
Grading: Grading is based on student performance on Alcumus homework, Short-Answer Challenge
Problems, Writing Challenge Problems (proofs), and student progress in our online lessons. Alcumus is
the AoPS online learning system that adjusts to student performance to deliver appropriate problems
and lessons.
Content:
Chapter Topic
1 Counting Is Arithmetic
Counting Lists of Numbers
Counting with Addition and Subtraction
Permutations
2 Basic Counting Techniques
Casework
Complementary Counting
Constructive Counting
Counting with Restrictions
3 Correcting for Overcounting
Permutations with Repeated Elements
Counting Pairs of Items
Counting with Symmetries
4 Committees and Combinations
Combinations
Combinatorial Identities
5 More with Combinations
Paths on a Grid
Distinguishability
6 Some Harder Counting Problems
Applications of Chapters 1–5
7 Introduction to Probability
Definition of Probability
Counting Techniques in Probability
8 Basic Probability Techniques
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Syllabus Introduction to Counting & Probability
Probability and Addition
Complementary Probability
Probability and Multiplication
Probability and Dependent Events
9 Think About It!
Using Symmetry in Problem-Solving
10 Geometric Probability
Probability Using Lengths
Probability Using Areas
11 Expected Value
Definition of Expected Value
Problem-Solving with Expected Value
12 Pascal’s Triangle
Constructing Pascal’s Triangle
Pascal’s Triangle as Combinations
More Combinatorial Identities
13 The Hockey Stick Identity
Distributions
Sticks and Stones
The Hockey Stick Identity
14 The Binomial Theorem
Proving the Binomial Theorem
Applying the Binomial Theorem to Problems
The Binomial Theorem in Identities
15 More Challenging Problems
Applications of Chapters 7–14
Common Core State Standards:
Domain Subdomain Standards
Algebra Arithmetic with Polynomials & Rational Expressions 4, 5
Functions Interpreting Functions 3
Conditional Probability & the Rules of Probability 2, 9
Statistics & Probability
Using Probability to Make Decisions 2, 5a, 6
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Syllabus Introduction to Counting & Probability
Sample Problems:
▶ How many pairs of diagonals of a regular decagon (10-sided polygon) are parallel?
▶ Rose writes all the 7-digit numbers in which all the digits are different and each digit is greater than
the one to its right (so the tens digit is greater than the units, the hundreds greater than the tens, and
so on).
(a) How many numbers are there in Rose’s list?
(b) Rose circles the middle digit of each number, then adds up all the circled digits. What sum does
she get?
▶ Carlos has chosen 12 different CDs he would like to buy: 4 are rap music, 5 are country music, and 3
are heavy metal music. (Carlos has very eclectic tastes in music!) Unfortunately, he has only enough
money to afford to buy 5 of them (they all cost the same price). So he selects 5 of them at random.
What is the probability that his purchase includes at least one CD from each of the three categories?
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Art of Problem Solving is an ACS WASC Accredited School.
