Where does one go after AP Calculus?  It's a good question because that is the typical pinnacle of one's high school math career.  But at MA, the math department has created two higher-level college-level courses that extend our most gifted math students.

One class in session now is Linear Algebra, which is all about solving large systems of equations with many variables.  In addition to providing insight into real-world applications such as handling traffic through a series of streets/detours, the class gets a chance to function as real mathematicians using the art of writing proofs.  Crafting a sound, logical argument is paramount in any field, and math is the ultimate playground for such a challenge because a valid proof in math means metaphysical certitude.  Proofs by induction, contradiction, and counterexample are explored and nurtured alongside traditional problems throughout the year.

The proofs are very general in nature, resulting in problems with many variables (letters) and small quantities of actual numbers, as one student soberingly remarked.  But by the end of the year, Linear Algebra will have turned out another group of (hopefully happy) experts in logic and math!