Combinatorics
A systematic introduction to one of the most interesting math subjects which is not taught in the standard school curriculum, but which often appears in hard problems on math contests. Covers concepts in MATHCOUNTS, AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, and AIME.
If you haven't yet seen our revolutionary teaching method, visit our home page first, to shatter your expectations of what online math looks like.
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Who Is This Course For?
Are you taking any math class from 6th Grade Math through Pre-Calculus, and already know the content in our Introduction class? If so, then you are already ready to understand this course. It will efficiently teach you the challenging concepts in Combinatorics which are not taught in regular school curriculum.
Diagnostic Tests:
Course Structure
This course contains 20 LIVE 1-hour video sessions, of which 16 are lessons, and 4 are exam review sessions that discuss the course's 4 practice 1-hour exams (homework). Each class is co-taught by 2 of our Stars. In total, there are over 150 problems.
Each lesson contains several problems which are meant to be unfamiliar to you, so that they inspire you to invent your own solutions. In our LIVE video class format, you propose your ideas, and we brainstorm together with you to construct a variety of alternative solutions using the class's own ideas. This actively involves you in discovering mathematics.
Each practice exam contains 20 problems, of which half are of average difficulty, and the other half are very challenging.
Reviews
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
I fall asleep to prof. loh music every night and listen to his ted talk every night
We appreciate how much [our son] is learning and growing in this class. Thank you for making the world a better place through math and kindness!
I have high respect for Po-Shen, and was hoping for a while to get a first-hand view of this approach to online classes. [My daughter] didn't really let me observe too much, but she did confirm that this class was better than any other online classes she's had, and better than some in-person classes too. That's very impressive. Great job, everyone involved!
Thank you very much for explaining [my son's learning situation] in detail… I asked him about this course and he expressed that he was very interested and enjoyed learning this course. The school had a test for the most recent class, so I watched the replay in the afternoon. I think he gained something from this course. Thank you teacher!
[My daughter] enjoyed really much all the sessions she attended, thank you for the great teaching and animation!
u guys are my favorite pair of teachers
Tiring casework that is simplified by combinatorics class
Thanks so much for the detailed class participation summary! It is very helpful! [My daughter] said the class is very useful and more interactive activities than other virtual class she had before!
Syllabus
Day 1
Permutations; counting with restrictions; counting with symmetry; tree diagram for representing outcomes; casework; counting pairs of objects; correction for overcounting
Day 2
Venn diagram; combinations; number of subsets; patterns in counting; sum of consecutive powers of 2; multiplication principle; complementary counting; counting lists of numbers with restrictions; overlapping groups
Day 3
Variation on Venn diagram; union and intersection of sets; set notation; inclusion-exclusion principle; prime factors; application of counting techniques to Number Theory; divisibility
Day 4
Counting on a grid; casework; patterns in counting; rotation and reflection; rotational symmetry and reflective symmetry; factorials; permutations and combinations; correcting for overcounting
Day 5
Permutations with repeated elements; multiplication principle; factorials; correction for overcounting; casework; binomial coefficients; "choose" notation; rotational and reflective symmetry
Day 6
Binomial coefficients; Pascal's triangle; symmetry of binomial coefficients; patterns in Pascal's triangle; Pascal's identity; comparing binomial coefficients; hockey stick identity; combinations; casework
Day 7
Binomial thm; Pascal's triangle, row sum of and relation to powers of 2; symmetry of binomial coefficients; number of subsets; powers of 11; applications of Binomial thm
Day 8
Casework; allocation-of-resource problems and arrangements; complementary counting; permutations with repeated elements; application of binomial coefficients
Day 9
Paths on a grid; using diagrams; permutations with repeated elements; factorials; binomial coefficients; complementary counting; reduction of a problem into subproblems; symmetry; difference of squares
Day 10
Tiling problems; recursive sequences; permutations with repeated elements; aₙ notation for elements of a sequence; binomial coefficients and choose notation; case analysis; Fibonacci sequences
Day 11
Correction for overcounting; patterns in counting; case analysis; counting with restrictions; multiple recursions; applications to recursion and tiling problems; general form of a recursive formula
Day 12
Graph theory basics; coloring problems; node, vertex, and graph; case analysis; symmetry; pigeonhole principle; four-color theorem; complementary counting; permutations; tree diagrams
Day 13
Counting ordered lists; case analysis; triangular numbers and their relationship to binomial coefficients; hockey stick identity; Pascal's triangle; ways to partition N objects (stars and bars); number of subsets
Day 14
Committee-type problems and ways to form pairs; correction for overcounting; permutations; factorials; multiplication principle; double factorial notation; applications of tiling techniques to word problems
Day 15
Application of counting techniques to word problems; shortest path problems; representing states using diagrams; breadth-first search technique
Day 16
Polyhedra vertices, edges and faces; Euler's polyhedral formula and motivation for; correction for overcounting; Platonic solids; stellated dodecahedron
Enroll
We have LIVE and self-paced versions of this course. We strongly recommend the LIVE format, as it has been carefully designed to be so engaging that students fall in love with challenge. There has never been anything like it before. All times are listed in your local time zone.
For students who want to learn a subject sooner than a LIVE course matches their schedule, our self-paced version contains all of Prof. Loh's teaching on the subject (without live teaching). This is available on our self-paced course platform, where thousands of students have learned over the past 3 years.