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# One thing I learned when doing Brilliant problems

If it says "put $$x$$ as the answer if ..." in the clarification, then $$x$$ is not the answer.

Note by Daniel Wang
3 years, 9 months ago

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Your statement is not necessarily true. Staff · 3 years, 9 months ago

Next week, be sure to try $$x$$ for all problems with such a clarification :) · 3 years, 9 months ago

thats a good idea · 3 years, 9 months ago

I actually learn something a little bit different. For example,

• "The answer can be expressed as $$\dfrac{a}{b}$$, where $$a,b$$ are coprime positive integers. Find $$a+b$$." usually means $$b \neq 1$$, otherwise they will ask for the answer straight away.
• "Find the last three digits of the answer." usually means the answer is greater than or equal to $$1000$$, otherwise they will ask for the answer straight away.

Note all "usually"s appearing there, so don't blame me for blindly following the above. · 3 years, 9 months ago

Likewise, not necessarily true. I do try and avoid allowing you to make such generalizations. The assumption that the answer must be an integer from 0 to 999 is introduced for simplicity in explanation. We might remove that condition in future, and use the Physics style of "real numbers" instead.

If a value is 'clearly' in the form of a fraction (e.g. expected value, lots of division going on, etc) I often ask in terms of a fraction, even if the answer turns out to be an integer. Though, to be fair, this is much rarer.

If a value is 'potentially' huge (e.g. find the sum of all numbers which satisfy this condition), I often ask for the last three digits. I've received numerous disputes saying that "but the answer must be more than 1000, so you are wrong". Staff · 3 years, 9 months ago

Well, I rarely see problems that disprove the above claims, and I do claim "usually", so my claims still stand. But I've never deduced in that way anyway.

A related note, a problem just last week: "Find the sum of all $$a$$ satisfying the condition." I got one possible value of $$a$$ that was a fraction; everything else were integers. I had the strong urge to dismiss that fractional value by "if that fractional value is a possible value of $$a$$, then the answer of this question will not be an integer". · 3 years, 9 months ago

Actually for the second one, it quite often is less than $$1000$$, but simply is there to not have you discount the possibility that it is greater than $$1000$$ (which can, conceptually, be a huge indicator in problems of the scope you're dealing with) · 3 years, 9 months ago

I know you said 'usually' but here is a counterexample to the second point.

<https://brilliant.org/assessment/s/number-theory/5045346/> · 3 years, 9 months ago

Okay, I notice the "IF", but why "x" is not the answer? · 3 years, 9 months ago

well.. it could've said put x if x is greater than or equal to 0 else put x + 1000. · 3 years, 9 months ago

guys, pls anyone tell me! how do I create a challenge? thanks, john · 3 years, 9 months ago

You can't now that they removed the option to submit problems. · 3 years, 9 months ago

I know i really liked that :( · 3 years, 9 months ago

They want x as the answer in the first place, so why is it NOT the answer? I don't get you. EDIT: Assuming the 'if...' is proven true in the question. · 3 years, 9 months ago

Assuming the 'if...' is proven true in the question.

It usually isn't true. · 3 years, 9 months ago