Mathematical techniques for solving Olympiad problems in chemistry

Abstract

This article discusses the solution of Olympiad problems of various levels of complexity using mathematical equations. The author analyzes the content of the school chemistry course, hosting of school Chemistry Olympiads and the issues of preparation, as well as formulates methodology of teaching the secondary school student how to solve the Olympiad tasks. Most schoolchildren consider it necessary to use Olympiad tasks in lessons, because they develop students’ mental activity and analytical thinking. In addition, before you start solving Olympiad problems, you need to do a warm-up; you need to remember logarithms, systems of equations with two unknowns, a system of equations with three equations, quadratic equations, proportions, etc. And when using an engineering calculator, you need to enter the digital values correctly, otherwise you can easily make a mistake. Depending on the level of the Olympiad, time is given differently; the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) takes as many as 5 days of them, 3 three days for theoretical problems and two days for performing experimental problems, while the experimental problems require knowledge of mathematics, rounding, fractions, etc. etc. Along with (IChO) there is the International Mendeleev Olympiad (IMO) in chemistry, a widespread Olympiad among post-Soviet Republics in which the level of difficulty is similar to the level of complexity (IChO) but slightly different from the previous version.