The purpose of this series of Math Talks, initiated in the Spring of 2011 by Dr. Tony Fisher, HCHS Principal, and Dr. Ada Peluso, former Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Hunter College, is to widen our students’ mathematical horizons and establish direct connections between HCHS students and leading researchers in various fields of theoretical and applied mathematics. The new Math Talks at HCHS website will provide the school community to see past and future talks on various math topics. To view the website, click on this link: Math Talks at HCHS Website

The chief goals of mathematics instruction at Hunter College High School are the development of problem solving abilities and understanding.  We believe that these are at the heart of mathematics, and that they transfer to other academic areas and beyond.  Thus, we emphasize creative and alternative methods of viewing and solving problems as opposed to a more mechanical, formula-oriented style of learning; in classroom instruction, we stress the why of mathematics, as opposed to a memory intensive approach.  Classroom instruction and homework assignments are structured to include problem solving so that students experience the satisfaction and joy of doing mathematics and achieve a sense of mathematical self-reliance.

The Department gives enrichment in mathematics education greater priority than acceleration.  Too often, acceleration means faster "completion" of "material."  This implies memorizing a set of formulas and applying them to certain standard types of exercises.  We believe that depth of understanding and development of problem solving abilities requires enrichment: inclusion of a variety of problems that are not mere exercises, and infusion of proofs and explanations that show the validity of the mathematics students learn.

The Department is committed to an integrated approach to mathematics education.  Students study a variety of topics in a given year and return to study them later in greater depth.  This allows for greater student understanding and appreciation of the mathematics they learn.

Mathematics is a living, changing discipline that has historically undergone major transformations.  The way that mathematicians do mathematics and the way in which mathematics is used continues to change, and these changes are occurring with increasing rapidity.  The mathematics curriculum at Hunter College High School contains various contemporary topics frequently not found in more traditional programs, as well as the use of appropriate contemporary technology, including computers, graphing calculators, and the SmartBoard.

It is fundamental to our philosophy that even while we provide what we think is the best mathematics curriculum for our students, we continue our discussion of how to improve and enrich the curriculum.  In this way we hope to provide the most useful and exciting mathematics experience to every student at Hunter College High School.

Based on their outstanding performance on this year’s AMC 10 and AMC 12, 46 students have been selected to participate in the 2009 American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME)!