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.
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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
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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
That's my experience as well. After I answer a question the count for the number of solvers goes up by one, but my icon is not added, at least from my perspective. However, I assume that others are able to see my icon. I see your icon quite often, which for me is a good indication that the problem is worth spending time on. :)
I got the answer on my second try, but the wording of the question is ambiguous. The issue is the chain of ownership of the knife. If the knife belongs to both brothers and the elder brother is, in essence, forfeiting his half-ownership of the knife then we get one answer, but if the knife belongs solely to the elder brother and he then gives it to his younger brother we get a different answer. This latter interpretation was the one that produced the "correct" answer. So the flagging of the question is warranted, in my opinion. I will post a solution shortly and as a postscript request that the asker of the question make one key change in the wording.
We actually could probably show you on the solvers list at some point, though I'm not sure if it'll ever become the most important thing for us to spend our time on.
Historically, the reason for the system to not show your image in the list (even though it is added) is that it used to be not uncommon for you to see the same problem multiple times with different "variants" (for instance a problem could show up as 3 + 5 = ? and also 2 + 4 = ?). We decided it is better to never show your name on the list, than to risk showing your name next to a problem that it says you haven't solved yet.
Yeah, that is so unfair. I would tackle a problem, and be the first one to solve it, and what do I get? No mention at all! And then the NEXT guy that solves it gets the billing, and then the next, etc. There's simply no glory to be had for being the first one to solve it.
Okay, so it's alleged that others can see that I did solve it first, but how do I know that, anyway?
Haha. Well, with problem sets there is a leaderboard with names, date completed and everything. :) Anyway, when I see your icon on a list of solvers I immediately give the problem a try, so rest assured that the rest of us will know if you were first or not. Although, only the icons of the last dozen or so solvers are ever displayed, so once there are that many solvers of a problem the glory of being (one of the) first is lost forever. Fame is a fickle friend. :(
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
That's my experience as well. After I answer a question the count for the number of solvers goes up by one, but my icon is not added, at least from my perspective. However, I assume that others are able to see my icon. I see your icon quite often, which for me is a good indication that the problem is worth spending time on. :)
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Thanks, Brian. I see your name amongst the solvers.
I am interested in your solution for Shiny side of the Knife. I have an issue with the solution's answer.
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I got the answer on my second try, but the wording of the question is ambiguous. The issue is the chain of ownership of the knife. If the knife belongs to both brothers and the elder brother is, in essence, forfeiting his half-ownership of the knife then we get one answer, but if the knife belongs solely to the elder brother and he then gives it to his younger brother we get a different answer. This latter interpretation was the one that produced the "correct" answer. So the flagging of the question is warranted, in my opinion. I will post a solution shortly and as a postscript request that the asker of the question make one key change in the wording.
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Yes, it is common to all solvers.
We (currently) do not display you as solving the problem. Is this something that you want to see?
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What was the thinking behind the exclusion?
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We actually could probably show you on the solvers list at some point, though I'm not sure if it'll ever become the most important thing for us to spend our time on.
Historically, the reason for the system to not show your image in the list (even though it is added) is that it used to be not uncommon for you to see the same problem multiple times with different "variants" (for instance a problem could show up as
3 + 5 = ?
and also2 + 4 = ?
). We decided it is better to never show your name on the list, than to risk showing your name next to a problem that it says you haven't solved yet.Yeah, that is so unfair. I would tackle a problem, and be the first one to solve it, and what do I get? No mention at all! And then the NEXT guy that solves it gets the billing, and then the next, etc. There's simply no glory to be had for being the first one to solve it.
Okay, so it's alleged that others can see that I did solve it first, but how do I know that, anyway?
Log in to reply
Haha. Well, with problem sets there is a leaderboard with names, date completed and everything. :) Anyway, when I see your icon on a list of solvers I immediately give the problem a try, so rest assured that the rest of us will know if you were first or not. Although, only the icons of the last dozen or so solvers are ever displayed, so once there are that many solvers of a problem the glory of being (one of the) first is lost forever. Fame is a fickle friend. :(
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I'm just trying to figure out a way to explain to Brilliant staff why our icons ought to be displayed when we solve problems. Did using drama work?
*Sound trumpets! Let our bloody colours wave! And either victory, or else a grave."
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P.S.. Seeing the "u" in "colour" makes my Canadian heart sing.
Thanks! I will add that to the list of improvements to make :)