Art of Problem Solving

Art of Problem Solving, commonly known as AoPS, is an American mathematics-education organization founded in 2003 by mathematician Richard Rusczyk. Its programs are designed primarily for middle- and high-school students who want to develop mathematical reasoning beyond the standard school curriculum, including students preparing for mathematics competitions and other advanced academic work. AoPS combines several forms of educational content. Its publishing program includes textbooks that introduce algebra, geometry, precalculus, probability, number theory, combinatorics, and related problem-solving methods. The books generally emphasize worked reasoning, non-routine exercises, and strategic approaches rather than memorization of standard procedures. The original Art of Problem Solving book series began before the company itself was established, when Rusczyk and Sandor Lehoczky wrote competition-oriented material in the early 1990s. That series later supplied the name for the organization. The company’s online platform extends the textbook model into courses, discussion forums, a collaborative mathematics wiki, problem archives, and interactive learning tools. Its community-oriented design allows students to discuss solutions, compare methods, and obtain guidance from other learners and experienced contributors. AoPS has also operated mathematical games and practice environments, including Alcumus, For the Win, and Reaper. These products support practice in areas such as algebraic manipulation, contest problem solving, and mathematical pattern recognition. AoPS is particularly associated with the ecosystem surrounding American mathematics competitions. Its materials address students working toward contests such as the American Mathematics Competitions and the USA Mathematical Olympiad, although the platform’s broader purpose is the development of mathematical creativity and persistence. Through the nonprofit Art of Problem Solving Initiative, associated activities have included administration of the United States of America Mathematical Talent Search and support for local mathematics programs in the United States. The organization’s leadership has been closely associated with Rusczyk, who served as founder and chief executive for many years. Reference material states that he stepped down as CEO in March 2025, with Ben Kornell succeeding him and Andrew Sutherland becoming chief product officer. The same material states that Rusczyk returned to the CEO role in February 2026 while remaining involved with the board. AoPS continues to operate as an active education-services brand with a global online audience, combining books, courses, community resources, competitions-related preparation, and digital practice tools.

Art of Problem Solving grew out of the mathematical-competition experience of its founder, Richard Rusczyk, and the educational publishing work he undertook with Sandor Lehoczky. After participating in MathCounts and other American mathematics competitions as a student, Rusczyk won the USA Mathematical Olympiad in 1989 and later studied chemical engineering at Princeton University. He subsequently worked as a bond trader at D. E. Shaw & Co. before moving toward mathematics education. The organization’s intellectual origins predate its corporate foundation. In 1993 and 1994, Rusczyk and Lehoczky produced the first two volumes of the Art of Problem Solving series. These books were intended for students seeking training beyond ordinary classroom mathematics. Rather than presenting mathematics only as a sequence of standard techniques, they emphasized conceptual understanding, proof-oriented thinking, and the ability to construct solutions to unfamiliar problems. The early series established the educational philosophy and name that would later define AoPS. Rusczyk founded Art of Problem Solving as an organization in 2003. The business developed around textbooks, an online educational platform, and a community of students and problem solvers. Its online services enabled users to study advanced topics, ask questions, exchange solution methods, and work through collections of challenging problems. This combination of publishing and community participation distinguished AoPS from conventional instructional-content providers. Over time, AoPS expanded its catalog for students in approximately grades 5 through 12. Books and courses covered subjects including prealgebra, algebra, geometry, intermediate algebra, precalculus, and broader competition mathematics. Digital products added adaptive or interactive practice and game-like environments. Alcumus became a platform for guided mathematics practice, while For the Win and Reaper supplied additional interactive problem-solving experiences. The AoPS forums and wiki created a durable archive of discussions, explanations, and collaboratively developed reference material. The organization also became connected with wider mathematics-enrichment institutions. Rusczyk helped create the Mandelbrot Competition and founded the San Diego Math Circle. Through the nonprofit Art of Problem Solving Initiative, related work included administering the United States of America Mathematical Talent Search and supporting local mathematics programs. These activities extended the brand’s role from selling educational materials to strengthening the broader problem-solving and contest-mathematics ecosystem. Rusczyk’s public recognition included the MathCounts Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2012 and the Paul Erdős Award from the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions in 2014. Leadership later began to broaden beyond the founder. According to the supplied reference material, Rusczyk left the CEO role in March 2025, Ben Kornell became CEO, and Andrew Sutherland became chief product officer. The same material records Rusczyk’s return as CEO in February 2026. AoPS remains an active education-services organization whose principal activities span advanced mathematics courses, books, online practice, community resources, and competition preparation.

• 2026

  Rusczyk returns as CEO

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  Reference material states that Rusczyk returned to lead the organization as CEO in February 2026.

• 2025

  Founder changes CEO role

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  Reference material records Rusczyk’s departure as CEO, Ben Kornell’s succession, and Andrew Sutherland’s appointment as chief product officer.

• 2014

  Rusczyk receives the Paul Erdős Award

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  The World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions awarded Rusczyk the Paul Erdős Award.

• 2012

  Rusczyk receives the MathCounts Distinguished Alumnus Award

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  Richard Rusczyk was recognized by MathCounts for his contributions and connection to mathematics education.

• 2011

  Prealgebra title is published

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  The publication of Prealgebra extended the textbook sequence to younger students and earlier stages of formal mathematical study.

• 2009

  Precalculus title is published

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  AoPS added a Precalculus textbook to its secondary-school mathematics offering.

• 2007

  Algebra titles expand the catalog

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  Introduction to Algebra and Intermediate Algebra were published, broadening AoPS’s structured pathway for students studying advanced algebra.

• 2006

  Introduction to Geometry is published

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  The organization’s textbook catalog expanded with Introduction to Geometry, a volume aimed at developing deeper geometric reasoning.

• 2003

  Art of Problem Solving is founded

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  Richard Rusczyk founded the educational organization that developed the AoPS books, online courses, community, and digital problem-solving tools.

• 1994

  Second foundational volume follows

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  Rusczyk and Lehoczky published the second early volume, extending their competition-oriented treatment of mathematical concepts and problem-solving methods.

• 1993

  First Art of Problem Solving volume is authored

  [1]Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org

  Richard Rusczyk and Sandor Lehoczky co-authored the first volume of the Art of Problem Solving series, establishing the educational concept that later gave the organization its name.

Advanced mathematics education centered on deep problem solving, enrichment, and competition preparation.

• Textbooks · 1993

  Art of Problem Solving textbook series

  AoPS’s core book series presents mathematics through challenging examples, strategic techniques, and extensive exercises. The series is aimed at students who want more depth than standard school textbooks provide, particularly those preparing for mathematical competitions. Its scope includes foundational and advanced secondary-school topics, with an emphasis on reasoning and non-routine problem solving.

• Online education platform · 2003

  AoPS Online

  AoPS Online brings together courses, problem resources, discussion forums, a collaborative wiki, and other community functions. It supports both guided study and peer interaction, allowing students to work through advanced material and discuss multiple approaches to difficult problems.

• Adaptive mathematics practice

  Alcumus

  Alcumus is an interactive practice environment associated with AoPS. It gives students additional opportunities to solve mathematics problems and develop fluency through repeated work across different topics and difficulty levels.

• Educational community

  AoPS Forums and Wiki

  The forums and wiki provide collaborative infrastructure for mathematics learners. Users can discuss contest problems, explain solutions, consult reference material, and contribute to a large body of community-generated educational content.

• Mathematics game

  For the Win

  For the Win is an interactive mathematics game associated with the AoPS platform. It uses game-like activity to give students additional practice with mathematical thinking and problem solving.

• Mathematics game

  Reaper

  Reaper is another interactive practice or game environment referenced as part of the AoPS digital ecosystem. It complements the organization’s books, courses, and community tools with a more activity-oriented format.

• 2026

  Founder returns to executive leadershipStrategy

  Background

  Reference material states that Rusczyk returned to the organization’s top executive role after the 2025 transition.

  Action taken

  Rusczyk resumed the CEO position to guide new initiatives while continuing to serve on the board.

  Aftermath

  The return restored founder leadership during a period described as focused on new initiatives.

  Source

• 2025

  Leadership transitionStrategy

  Background

  After more than two decades of founder-led development, the organization initiated a change in executive leadership.

  Action taken

  Richard Rusczyk stepped down as CEO, Ben Kornell became CEO, and Andrew Sutherland was appointed chief product officer.

  Aftermath

  The transition broadened the executive structure while Rusczyk continued to be associated with the board.

  Source

• 2003

  Build an integrated mathematics-learning organizationStrategy

  Background

  The early Art of Problem Solving books had established a competition-oriented educational approach before the company was founded.

  Action taken

  Richard Rusczyk created an organization combining books with online courses, discussion communities, reference resources, and digital practice tools.

  Aftermath

  AoPS developed into a broader mathematics-education platform rather than remaining solely a textbook publisher.

  Source

1. 1Richard Rusczyken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Art of Problem Solving official websiteartofproblemsolving.com