About MAA, The Cause

The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) was founded in 1915, stemming from the need for a dedicated space for mathematicians and educators to connect and share their passion for the subject.  It's a vibrant community of mathematicians, educators, and students dedicated to the advancement of mathematics, especially in teaching and learning. The MAA's mission is to:

• advance the understanding of mathematics and its impact on the world. 

• promote mathematical education at all levels, from middle school to higher education. 

• develop problem-solving skills and mathematical creativity among students. 

• support educators through resources, professional development, and recognition.

The MAA begins its work with students at an early age and carries on well into the student's years. It's impact is truly global. Here are the details:

• The MAA’s American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) program engages over 300,000 students annually from more than 6,000 schools worldwide in the U.S., Canada, and international locations like Vietnam, Nigeria, the Philippines, India, and Singapore.

• The AMC8(<=grade 8), AMC10(<=grade 10), AMC12(<=grade 12) and AIME(top performers on AMC10 and AMC12) are some of the competitions conducted by the MAA at the K-12 level. 

• The MAA’s American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) are the cornerstone of its efforts to promote mathematical excellence. These competitions are designed to challenge students, develop problem-solving skills, and serve as a pathway to prestigious international events like the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

• The MAA oversees the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO), the pinnacle of its high school competitions. The USAMO and USAJMO are the final stages in selecting the U.S. team for the International Mathematical Olympiad(IMO), the world’s most prestigious high school math competition.

• The Mathematical Olympiad Program(MOP) is a 3–4-week intensive training camp organized by the MAA for top USAMO and USAJMO performers, preparing them for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

• The United States has a strong history at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), securing first-place team wins in the following years, as determined by unofficial team rankings based on total scores: 1977, 1981, 1986 (tied with the Soviet Union), 1994 (achieved a perfect score of 252/252, the only time a U.S. team has done so), 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 (tied with China), 2024.

• These nine first-place finishes highlight the MAA’s critical role in preparing U.S. teams through the AMC, AIME, USAMO/USAJMO, and MOP, contributing to consistent global success.

The MAA's support enables students to compete at the highest levels. With its support the USAMO/USAJMO and IMO showcase American talent globally.

Mathematics is often described as a universal language because it transcends cultural, linguistic, and geographical barriers, enabling people worldwide to communicate complex ideas through shared symbols, logic, and structures. Here’s why this is true and how the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) contributes to making mathematics a global, inclusive language:

• Mathematical notation (e.g., numbers, operators like +, −, ×, ÷, and symbols like π or ∑) is standardized globally. A quadratic equation like ax^2 + bx + c = 0 is understood in the same way in New York, Tokyo, or Lagos, regardless of spoken language.

• Concepts like geometry, algebra, or calculus rely on logic and patterns inherent to the universe, not on cultural context, making them accessible to anyone who learns the rules.

• Mathematics underpins universal phenomena, from planetary orbits to financial systems, enabling collaboration across disciplines like physics, engineering, and economics.

• The Pythagorean theorem (a^2 + b^2 = c^2) applies universally to right triangles, whether used by an ancient Greek, a modern Italian architect, or a Chilean student.

• Mathematical problem-solving fosters critical thinking that transcends language barriers. Competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) bring together students from over 100 countries, all solving the same problems using shared mathematical principles thus fostering global collaboration.