What is the NO-SHORTCUT approach for learning great Mathematics?

# How to Pursue Mathematics after High School?

For Students who are passionate for Mathematics and want to pursue it for higher studies in India and abroad.

Try this beautiful problem from the American Invitational Mathematics Examination I, AIME I, 1988 based on function.

## Function Problem - AIME I, 1988

For any positive integer k, let $f_1(k)$ denote the square of the sum of the digits of k. For $n \geq 2$, let $f_n(k)=f_1(f_{n-1}(k))$, find $f_{1988}(11)$.

• is 107
• is 169
• is 634
• cannot be determined from the given information

### Key Concepts

Functions

Equations

Algebra

AIME I, 1988, Question 2

Functional Equation by Venkatchala

## Try with Hints

First hint

$f_1(11)=4$

or, $f_2(11)=f_1(4)=16$

or, $f_3(11)=f_1(16)=49$

Second Hint

or, $f_4(11)=f_1(49)=169$

or, $f_5(11)=f_1(169)=256$

or, $f_6(11)=f_1(256)=169$

or, $f_7(11)=f_1(169)=256$

Final Step

This goes on between two numbers with this pattern, here 1988 is even,

or, $f_1988(11)=f_4(11)=169$.

## What to do to shape your Career in Mathematics after 12th?

From the video below, let's learn from Dr. Ashani Dasgupta (a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin and Founder-Faculty of Cheenta) how you can shape your career in Mathematics and pursue it after 12th in India and Abroad. These are some of the key questions that we are discussing here:

• What are some of the best colleges for Mathematics that you can aim to apply for after high school?
• How can you strategically opt for less known colleges and prepare yourself for the best universities in India or Abroad for your Masters or Ph.D. Programs?
• What are the best universities for MS, MMath, and Ph.D. Programs in India?
• What topics in Mathematics are really needed to crack some great Masters or Ph.D. level entrances?
• How can you pursue a Ph.D. in Mathematics outside India?
• What are the 5 ways Cheenta can help you to pursue Higher Mathematics in India and abroad?

## Want to Explore Advanced Mathematics at Cheenta?

Cheenta has taken an initiative of helping College and High School Passout Students with its "Open Seminars" and "Open for all Math Camps". These events are extremely useful for students who are really passionate for Mathematic and want to pursue their career in it.

To Explore and Experience Advanced Mathematics at Cheenta

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