This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science
related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should
explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments
should further the discussion of math and science.
When posting on Brilliant:
Use the emojis to react to an explanation, whether you're congratulating a job well done , or just really confused .
Ask specific questions about the challenge or the steps in somebody's explanation. Well-posed questions can add a lot to the discussion, but posting "I don't understand!" doesn't help anyone.
Try to contribute something new to the discussion, whether it is an extension, generalization or other idea related to the challenge.
Stay on topic — we're all here to learn more about math and science, not to hear about your favorite get-rich-quick scheme or current world events.
Markdown
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*italics* or _italics_
italics
**bold** or __bold__
bold
- bulleted - list
bulleted
list
1. numbered 2. list
numbered
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Note: you must add a full line of space before and after lists for them to show up correctly
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# 4 spaces, and now they show
# up as a code block.
print "hello world"
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# 4 spaces, and now they show
# up as a code block.
print "hello world"
Math
Appears as
Remember to wrap math in \( ... \) or \[ ... \] to ensure proper formatting.
2 \times 3
2×3
2^{34}
234
a_{i-1}
ai−1
\frac{2}{3}
32
\sqrt{2}
2
\sum_{i=1}^3
∑i=13
\sin \theta
sinθ
\boxed{123}
123
Comments
Try and identify the reason that you are unable to proceed, for example:
1. Being too tired after spending 5 consecutive hours solving problems. If so, go to sleep.
2. Being too panicked about not being able to solve the problem. If so, take a short break. I've gotten a lot of inspiration in my trips to the bathroom.
3. Not knowing the basic terms in the question (for example, probability, expected value, etc. ). If so, read up on that chapter, make sure you understand the terms and basic techniques.
4. Not knowing various approaches that can be used for the question. If so, reading and learning from the solutions can be very helpful.
There will always be questions that you can't solve, and it doesn't help to become frustrated about it, as that simply clouds your thinking. As you work your way through the education system, you will slowly find that there are various gems which seemed impossible that were finally cracked. A famous example would be Fermat's Last Theorem, which stood for over 350 years, till Andrew Wiles solved it.
One of my proudest achievements, was spending 8 weeks over summer to solve a math problem given by my professor. Each step of the way, I didn't know what I was doing, nor what I was looking for. I tried different interpretations of the problem, viewing it first one way and then the other. I'd pick an approach which seems the most viable, and if that fails move on to another approach (or go out and enjoy the summer).
Try to understand the question differently or simply don't overthink the question that you are working on.
READ REFERENCES FOR SURE! When you are completely zero about the question, read the references of its theory is really helpful, especiallny in physics.
If you can't solve a problem there are two things you can do:
1. Don't freak out about that one problem constantly. Leave it alone, come back in a few days when you can have a different perspective on it. Don't always try to solve it in the same way as you are used to or have been doing.
2. If you keep trying to solve a problem and you can't do it you can always GIVE UP. A lot of people seem to think that if they just keep plowing at a problem they will eventually solve it. Though this may be true it is not beneficial for them in the long run. Knowing when to give up on a problem can be a great advantage to your learning. Just make sure you get a few different solutions to that problem and truly understand why you could not overcome it and how you can improve those areas. Inside of you is a great mathematician waiting to be born, just let them flourish by themselves.
Easy Math Editor
This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.
When posting on Brilliant:
*italics*
or_italics_
**bold**
or__bold__
paragraph 1
paragraph 2
[example link](https://brilliant.org)
> This is a quote
\(
...\)
or\[
...\]
to ensure proper formatting.2 \times 3
2^{34}
a_{i-1}
\frac{2}{3}
\sqrt{2}
\sum_{i=1}^3
\sin \theta
\boxed{123}
Comments
Try and identify the reason that you are unable to proceed, for example:
1. Being too tired after spending 5 consecutive hours solving problems. If so, go to sleep.
2. Being too panicked about not being able to solve the problem. If so, take a short break. I've gotten a lot of inspiration in my trips to the bathroom.
3. Not knowing the basic terms in the question (for example, probability, expected value, etc. ). If so, read up on that chapter, make sure you understand the terms and basic techniques.
4. Not knowing various approaches that can be used for the question. If so, reading and learning from the solutions can be very helpful.
There will always be questions that you can't solve, and it doesn't help to become frustrated about it, as that simply clouds your thinking. As you work your way through the education system, you will slowly find that there are various gems which seemed impossible that were finally cracked. A famous example would be Fermat's Last Theorem, which stood for over 350 years, till Andrew Wiles solved it.
One of my proudest achievements, was spending 8 weeks over summer to solve a math problem given by my professor. Each step of the way, I didn't know what I was doing, nor what I was looking for. I tried different interpretations of the problem, viewing it first one way and then the other. I'd pick an approach which seems the most viable, and if that fails move on to another approach (or go out and enjoy the summer).
My suggestion is ....
Try to understand the question differently or simply don't overthink the question that you are working on.
READ REFERENCES FOR SURE! When you are completely zero about the question, read the references of its theory is really helpful, especiallny in physics.
Always think that you are having fun! XD
Some frustration is good; that's how you improve. :)
If you can't solve a problem there are two things you can do: 1. Don't freak out about that one problem constantly. Leave it alone, come back in a few days when you can have a different perspective on it. Don't always try to solve it in the same way as you are used to or have been doing. 2. If you keep trying to solve a problem and you can't do it you can always GIVE UP. A lot of people seem to think that if they just keep plowing at a problem they will eventually solve it. Though this may be true it is not beneficial for them in the long run. Knowing when to give up on a problem can be a great advantage to your learning. Just make sure you get a few different solutions to that problem and truly understand why you could not overcome it and how you can improve those areas. Inside of you is a great mathematician waiting to be born, just let them flourish by themselves.
can't sleep well
yes i agree with the second point. i also get some of my solutions in the bathroom.
just have a walk wait till ur brain is back in equilibrium.....then i bet u can solve the problem.(make sure u knw the concept use in the question)
just be fustrated :p
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i know its annoying
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Even I know Its annoying...Diganta B. ,,,,,,, To overcome the Frustration.. I suggest to ask Others who could solve it.... hahahaha :) :)
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