Let's just say it took me much longer that 45 seconds just to figure out what the question meant.The prestigious Lockheed Martin MATHCOUNTS National Competition took place yesterday.
You don’t get there by learning Everyday Math crap.
It’s the real deal.
The winner of the individual contest was an 11-year-old 6th-grader from Bellevue, Washington, Darryl Wu.
Here was the winning question. Can you solve it?
And, oh, by the way, the question was timed. Darryl came up with the answer in less than 45 seconds.
Question: A set of distinct positive integers has a total of 11 digits, and all the digits are ones. What is the smallest possible sum of the integers in the set?
Are you smarter than a 6th Grade math whizs
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Are you smarter than a 6th Grade math whizs
Suitguy is not bitter.
feels he represents the many educated and rational onlookers who believe that the hysterical denouncement of lay scepticism is both unwarranted and counter-productive
The problem, then, is that such calls do not address an opposition audience so much as they signal virtue. They talk past those who need convincing. They ignore actual facts and counterargument. And they are irreparably smug.
feels he represents the many educated and rational onlookers who believe that the hysterical denouncement of lay scepticism is both unwarranted and counter-productive
The problem, then, is that such calls do not address an opposition audience so much as they signal virtue. They talk past those who need convincing. They ignore actual facts and counterargument. And they are irreparably smug.
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Jeemie wrote:Took me more than 45 seconds to figure it out (what the question meant) as well...
Spoiler
...but the answer is 11,414.
1 + 11 + 111 + 11,111
Spoiler
I think your problem is correct, but your addition is a bit off.
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Thing is, for math junkies, there's an algorithm for this type of problem that allows you to do it in less time. Sort of like knowing in advance that each FF question is going to contain 4 unique integers, and also being able to rule out certain combinations (like 1234, for instance). One of the many nice things about mathematics (if you're good at it) is that it's one of the few arenas where extreme youth can be a benefit, rather than a disadvantage.
I dare say this 11-year-old would be better at math skills than many, if not most, university professors.
I dare say this 11-year-old would be better at math skills than many, if not most, university professors.
For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled. -- Richard Feynman
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Holy crap!TheCalvinator24 wrote:Jeemie wrote:Took me more than 45 seconds to figure it out (what the question meant) as well...
Spoiler
...but the answer is 11,414.
1 + 11 + 111 + 11,111Spoiler
I think your problem is correct, but your addition is a bit off.
That's what I get for doing it by hand!
1979 City of Champions 2009
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Re: Are you smarter than a 6th Grade math whizs
Were paper and pencil allowed?
Edit: OK, my first answer wasn't optimised, then I edited it once but had the number of digits wrong. Now I think I'm right, but I didn't make the 45 second cut-off.
Spoiler
If so, the answer is 11234.
Edit: OK, my first answer wasn't optimised, then I edited it once but had the number of digits wrong. Now I think I'm right, but I didn't make the 45 second cut-off.
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Not sure I am smarter, at least when it comes to math, but I got this one without that much difficulty and in less than 45 seconds from the safety and comfort of the Lazyboy.
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
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~tanstaafl2
Nullum Gratuitum Prandium
Ne Illegitimi Carborundum
Cumann na gClann Uí Thighearnaigh
~Mark Twain
Some people are like a Slinky. They are not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs...
~tanstaafl2
Nullum Gratuitum Prandium
Ne Illegitimi Carborundum
Cumann na gClann Uí Thighearnaigh