Aime grading

[sxk1693]

What happens when you have a solution that is not listed on the aops website. I did 2005 AIME#1 problem #6 and the website posted 3 alternative solutions. I still got the right numerical answer, but my solution did not match any of theirs. What happens in the real AIME if you have a solution that does not match the grading rubric, but your numerical answer is correct. Just for reference, I used vieta's formula thing on the problem and divided that by the real roots getting the product of the unreal roots. None of their solutions use vieta's formula.

[101dalmatians]

[darksaber21]

^what 101dalmatians said.

Plus, it should be a multiple-choice test, and there is always multiple approaches to each problem, so if you get the right answer, whether by luck or not, you got it right. It wouldn't hurt to know the other methods though for future methods.

[101dalmatians]

I thought AIME was free response? Is it not?

[darksaber21]

Yeah, it was. I got it mixed up with something else. I feel pretty dumb now...

His answer should still be right regardless.

[nsguy1350]

Although I'm not sure, I think AIME is sort-of multiple choice: you have 1000 choices (0-999? maybe 1-999). I don't think they grade by solutions. Then again I've never done it, but I think that's how it works.

And even if you're in a proof-based competition, as long as you have a supported, strong solution, it shouldn't matter if it differs from the official solutions, as long as it's readable, understandable, easy to follow, etc. Some competitions even give special recognition if you have a brilliant or extremely insightful solution.

[redhawk2015]

AIME is, I think, a grid-in scantron with 3 columns per question...you would probably have to match the solutions given exactly.

[101dalmatians]

I'm completely sure of failing the AMC.