How much understanding do I need?

I am recently studying Putnam and China Mathematical Olympiad problems. I understand the solutions but it's hard for me to apply the way how they solved the problem but I take down notes on how they solved the problem. Is this note-taking effective for me to understand and apply the concepts and techniques I learned for the future contests or whatsoever? And how much understanding do I need for me to be able to apply the techniques used in showing solutions?

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Easy Math Editor

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`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
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`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
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Comments

I would say No! According to me firstly go for comparatively easier olympiads like BMO, JBMO, APMO, and also of several countries.I would recommend you to go here http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/resources.php and practice the problems of national olympiads of different countries.

Kishan k - 7 years, 6 months ago

By the way, what do you really mean saying "no"?

John Ashley Capellan - 7 years, 6 months ago

I mean that according to me, you aren't doing right!

Kishan k - 7 years, 6 months ago

@Kishan K – Am I really jumping too much? By the way, thanks for informing me...

John Ashley Capellan - 7 years, 6 months ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$