Re: Training problem-solving for coding and math olympiads

If you haven't already, look into the racetams. I imagine that since
these problems aren't always straightforward, it would be nice to get
the cross-hemisphere communication effects that they provide. Racetams
+ Caffeine according to one mathematically inclined person here is
very synergistic.

Also if you haven't already, look for some Math Olympiad training
books through questionable methods. There's a massive P2P torrent that
I downloaded but got snuffed during my format. It included all the
classics like George Polya's How to Solve It (all volumes) and several
books of numerous thickness and reputability.

And hey, it's pretty cool you're doing the Olympiad, as I'm using the
Olympiad problems to sharpen my own math skills. Yes, it's frustrating
as hell; but so is professional mathematics. If I don't solve it after
a straight week I ask my brilliant uncle and father for help.

(They usually can't solve it quickly either. Pssh, scientists. Too
concrete.)

On May 25, 3:00 am, Darius Malik <malikdari...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Lately I've resolved to try harder at teaching myself math and
> algorithm-coding so I have a better shot at the international
> olympiads for math and programming (IMO and IOI). These basically
> involve getting, say, three really hard math or programming problems
> and trying your best to solve them within 5 hours.
>
> What recommendations do you guys have for improving problem-solving
> ability, in general and specifically for olympiad-type environments?
> How should I practise math and CS, and what other stuff should I do?
> Right now my day consists of:
> - school (6 hours)
> - Anki reps (10-100 minutes)
> - n-back (20 sessions; I do position-color 8-back)
> - Learning math and coding
> - cycling (~ 1 hour 3 times a week)
> - weight-training (~20 minutes daily)
> I've also been experimenting with cycling caffeine, weekends on,
> weekdays off; this seems to work really well - I can do more work at
> home and less work at school. IOW, I am most productive exactly when
> it matters most :)
> Since I'm vegetarian, I've also taken Jonathan's advice and am cycling
> creatine.
>
> Also, what is the best sort of training I can do at school? In South
> Africa there are no honors classes, so I can basically pay literally
> no attention and still get acceptable marks. I've been trying mental
> arithmetic, writing shorthand (look up 'Gregg shorthand' on
> wikipedia), writing with my non-dominant hand, and trying to solve
> hard math problems (or just exploring math, for instance, for which n
> is 1!+2!+...+n! a square, or a cube, etc.). Bonus points if I can do
> the exercise while looking like I am blankly staring off into space.
>
> Thanks in advance :)

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