# Splitting up of math topics

In response to requests, we have decided to split out the math topics, which allows us to provide more targeted problems. You will now see topics for Algebra, Number Theory, and Combinatorics. Your levels in these topics are identical to what they previously were.

There will be 4 problems in each topic, and you may publish 2 solutions per topic per week.

Over the next few weeks, you might notice a change in your levels, which reflects your ability to solve the presented problems. A typical change that I expect, is that the level in Algebra would increase relative to Number Theory, as students are more exposed to Algebra in school.

I have decided to take down the Geometry section for now as we think about new types of problems that are more suited for Geometry.

Note by Calvin Lin
5 years, 6 months ago

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Hope to see Geometry back soon. Last week's "Combinatorics and Geometry" was all Combinatorics.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I wouldn't say "all" but the lack of good geometry problems was noteworthy. Many geometry problems that I've been getting were relatively easy, with the solution being an easy "look at the length of the sides" or "find a relationship between the angles" or "use law of cosines" to solve. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I would like to see more interesting geometry problems.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Indeed, with geometry, the problems at Level 5 should be more about proving relationships, then trying to find a length or angle. It is a lot more challenging (and interesting) for you to demonstrate that 4 points are con cyclic, then try and ask you for angle $$ABC$$ given angle $$ADC$$.

Due to our restriction of asking for numerical values (for simplicity), we haven't been able to progress beyond giving questions with specially chosen lengths or angles, which help to simplify the calculations. Of course, at this stage, one can crudely apply sin / cosine rule to obtain a lot more information than intended.

Staff - 5 years, 6 months ago

Great. One suggestion though, I think it would look better if the four dots on the home screen representing the problems were arranged in a line or a 2x2 square. :-)

- 5 years, 6 months ago

You know, that actually didn't bother me at all until you mentioned it xD Now it looks very weird.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Very nice!..Have the computer science challenges been ditched or will they also return soon??

- 5 years, 6 months ago

They have no been ditched. The Data Algorithms and Programming section is currently under maintenance, similar to the new Geometry section we are going to get. They are going to be back, better than ever (as the developers stated)!

- 5 years, 6 months ago

will it also be split up?into Data Structures and Algorithms?

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I have no idea, that's up to the developers :)

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Could you also split physics into Mechanics and (Electricity & Magnetism)?

- 5 years, 6 months ago

This is an excellent suggestion!

- 5 years, 6 months ago

when will geometry be back again? please bring it back as hurry as possible.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Although the geometry section is taken down, should we continue to submit geometry problems to brilliant?

- 5 years, 6 months ago

A geometry problem I submitted a couple weeks ago just got accepted yesterday so I would say yes.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I hope Geometry will come back soon.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Splitting up of topics is quite cool and waiting for the Geometry section to be back again & please re-launch Data Structures & Algorithms section ASAP.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I know this is offtopic but can you please enable the users to choose whether they want to level up or not? I was recently promoted to level 4 in Algebra but I am not really interested. Can you please bring this feature soon? Or at least level me down back to 3? Thank you!

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I understand where you are coming from, and agree with you. We are working on giving students more flexibility in changing their levels to obtain problems that are suitable for them.

I believe we will have a simple version out by next week. In the meantime, I've set your Algebra level as 3.

Staff - 5 years, 6 months ago

Thanks a lot! :)

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Why are you not interested in level 4? If you can't solve the hardest level 4 problem, that's not a bad thing. In order to develop your problem solving skills, you need to be exposed to very challenging problems. If you would stay on level 3 and solve each problem every week, you wouldn't learn a lot. :)

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Its not about doing hard problems. Its about doing problems that are in my current coursework. Also, I still feel uneasy while doing level 3 problems. It sometimes so happens that I am able to solve most of the problems of a given week and the next very week, I am barely able to solve 4 problems. I would like to get comfortable with level 3 problems and then move on to level 4.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I am loving the questions of this week, as these are well-chosen ones, which requires both time and dedication to solve.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I also hope that we'll have more problems in each section too :D

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Previously, we had four problems per topic on average. That's still the case, so I don't think they'll change it.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

How long will it take for Geometry to be back?

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I would like clarification on level-changing. Didn't levels change before based on ability to solve?

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Yes, I think the point was that they may be more volatile for a few weeks, now that one topic isn't joined to the other (unless you did equally well on both topics)

Staff - 5 years, 6 months ago

What about a section on miscellaneous problems too requiring application of more than one section.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

The point is that many people have more experience with algebra but not number theory, so their algebra&number theory level was not representative of their level in algebra because their level in number theory was lower. By separating the categories, these levels, in theory, are more accurately represented.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Thank you i wanted to see that.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I really like this. Although it would be awesome to have a bit more problems per set, I assume you avoid doing that to prevent people from getting a lot of points very quickly, which kind of makes sense.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Rather because it takes some time to come up with original and interesting problems, I think. I'd rather have a few very interesting problems than a lot boring ones: there's enough of those on the internet.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Good point.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

hey, I like this, it's more effective. And I hope Geometry section will be back soon. But, where is the computer section?

- 5 years, 6 months ago

also curious

- 5 years, 6 months ago

so am I

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Just saying, I am a little more comfortable in number theory because I am just now taking Alg 2. Number Theory has more logically devised answers (at least that is how I get them), whereas Algebra has things like trig, manipulating functions, and fancy polynomial root work. I was never taught those, and based on my curriculum guide the math class this year won't help much.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

On the topic of updating, is this new or has it always been this way. For this week's problem sets, it clearly states the level I am currentlly at next to it. I then took a look at my profile and to my supprise, some of the levels are higher. I think this hints at a promotion next week. Is this new, or have I always missed it? Or is this just a glitch in my profile?

- 5 years, 6 months ago

I think the system now determines next weeks level instantly. I was hard at work to solve the new problem set on Sunday. I was before at highest, Level 4, but now I am able to get the blue lanyard. So this is a quick and easy way to tell what your levels will look like next week, by checking your own profile page.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Right, but that isn't new. :)

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Exactly. Your levels may get updated during the week, it's just that your problem sets won't.

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Great and nice. :)

- 5 years, 6 months ago

Could you elaborate more on this-'Over the next few weeks, you might notice a change in your levels, which reflects your ability to solve the presented problems.'

- 5 years, 6 months ago

- 5 years, 6 months ago

we are missing the geometry section..

- 5 years, 5 months ago

Do I get the chance to see the same problem in different topics? 'Cause there are problems which can be included in multiple topics, like geometric probability or graph of a function, etc... :)

- 5 years, 6 months ago