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Youth
Math Club

A free online club for high-schoolers

October 2024 – May 2025

Registration is closed

Whether you want to successfully compete in programming contests, analyze data for biotech, or work in finance, strong math skills are a must.

Take our free online course to strengthen your problem-solving abilities. All materials are in English, which can prepare you for studying abroad or participating in international olympiads.

Join the Youth Math Club!

Participate in live lectures and discussions with experts on Saturdays.

Complete a weekly homework assignment of 15 problems of increasing difficulty.

Apply your results as an additional points of an entrance test mark for BSc’s supported by JetBrains

Course Structure

In the first semester, students:

  • Are given problems to solve that are graded automatically, with multiple-day deadlines.
  • Progress to the second semester if they successfully solve 50% of the problems or more.

In the second semester, students:

  • Are given problems to solve in writing, with a human review followed by an oral defense.
  • Earn the JetBrains Certificate of Achievement if they successfully solve at least 50% of all problems assigned over both semesters.

Topics

This course covers essential math topics required for admission to computer science-related programs. The curriculum includes algebra, number theory, probability theory, and basic graph theory, with a focus on their practical applications in programming and computer science.

Polynomials

- Topics 1–2: Polynomials

Study of quadratic polynomials, Vieta's formulas, graphs of polynomial functions, the remainder theorem, and interpolation basics.

- Topic 3: Summation of series and their connection to polynomials

Summation of arithmetic and geometric progressions, summation of finite sequences using induction and other methods, and how they connect to polynomials.

Combinatorics and probability theory

- Topic 4: Basic counting techniques

Fundamental combinatorial rules, including permutations, combinations, and the principle of inclusion-exclusion.

- Topics 5–6: Discrete probability

Basics of discrete probability: sample space, conditional probability, and the Bayes theorem.

Number theory

- Topic 7: Fundamentals of number theory

Prime factorization, greatest common divisor (GCD), least common multiple (LCM), and the Euclidean algorithm.

- Topic 8: Modular arithmetic

Introduction to modular arithmetic: modular congruence, residues, arithmetic operations, and solving modular equations.

- Topic 9: Wilson's, Fermat's, and Euler's theorems

Wilson's, Fermat's, and Euler's theorems and their applications in number theory and cryptography.

Graph theory

- Topic 10: Basics of graph theory

Basic definitions of graphs, their connectivity, and bipartiteness.

- Topic 11: Trees

Definition of trees and their properties, and spanning trees.

- Topic 12: Directed (oriented) graphs and tournaments

Study of directed graphs and problems related to tournaments.

Grading system

Automated grading:

your solutions are graded by a system that evaluates the correctness of answers.

Written solutions:

some problems will require detailed written solutions, which your coaches will review.

Oral defense:

you will defend your solutions orally during classes, explaining your rationale and answering coaches’ questions.

Join and start learning

Step 1

Register using this link.

Step 2

Sign up for Cogniterra, through which all assignments will be shared.

Step 3

Get a Discord invitation in your email inbox and meet your peers and coaches.

Step 4

Complete home assignments on Cogniterra each week.

Step 5

Ask any questions you may have in the Discord chat.

Step 6

Discuss solutions with coaches in live sessions at 1:00 pm UTC (summer time) and 2:00 pm UTC (winter time) every Saturday.

Step 7

Improve your skills and solve enough problems to get a certificate and an invitation to the JetBrains Summer Camp.

Step 8

Apply your results as an additional 5 points (about ⅓) of an entrance test mark for BSc’s supported by JetBrains: Computer Science and AI and Software, Data and Technology.

Meet your coaches

Fedor Bakharev

Fedor Bakharev holds a PhD in mathematics and is actively engaged in mathematical physics research, particularly in advancing the spectral theory of differential operators. With over 20 years of experience teaching mathematics, he specializes in preparing students for various mathematical olympiads, including the IMO. He has also been involved in several industrial IT projects as a mathematician.

Andrey Menshchikov

Andrey Menshchikov has been teaching olympiad mathematics for the past 15 years. He has served on the jury of the IMO in 2020 and 2021. Over the years, he has trained multiple eventual winners and medalists of prestigious competitions such as the IMO and the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO).

Denis Afrizonov

Denis Afrizonov has dedicated the last 11 years to teaching olympiad mathematics, helping students achieve exceptional results in international competitions. His expertise has contributed to the success of winners and medalists at major events like the IMO and the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO).

Leonid Popov

Leonid Popov has been an olympiad mathematics instructor for 16 years, specializing in training students for top-tier mathematical competitions. His extensive experience has helped prepare numerous winners and medalists at the IMO, the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO), and the China Girls Mathematical Olympiad (CGMO).

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If you have any ideas you’d like to share or want to join the club, please contact us at youthmathclub@jetbrains.com. We will be glad to hear your ideas and suggestions.

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