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        riddles >> general problem-solving / chatting / whatever >> How much time should be spent before giving up
        
(Message started by: kg on Oct 30^th, 2009, 4:43pm)

Title: How much time should be spent before giving up
Post by kg on Oct 30^th, 2009, 4:43pm

Hi All,

I am having a weird problem. I see lot of problems in this forum and try to solve them but i get stuck a lot of times but I am not able to give up LOL.

I want to figure out the right time one should spend on solving a problem and give up after some time ?

Any ideas how to figure that ?

Title: Re: How much time should be spent before giving up
Post by rmsgrey on Oct 31^st, 2009, 8:11am

It depends on how much spare time you have, how badly you want to achieve a solution, and whether you think you're able to make any progress.

Andrew Wiles famously spent 7 years on one problem - and then took a bit longer fixing the hole in his solution - so there are times when sticking with a problem gets you there. On the other hand, unless it's something like "P=NP" you're unlikely to get much reward beyond personal satisfaction...

Title: Re: How much time should be spent before giving up
Post by BenVitale on Oct 31^st, 2009, 10:31am

I would try to review the theory or the tools that would be necessary to solve that problem

Otherwise, I would ask for help ... but I'd make sure I gave a good attempt, my best shot at the problem

I know how you feel, I can relate to you because I have a similar problem with programming.

I love math, but I don't really enjoy programming. I had to make myself enjoy it and I've asked my math prof for advice

If you want to improve your skills in math and programming, then work on the Project Euler (http://projecteuler.net/)

Don't forget to view the problems (http://projecteuler.net/index.php?section=problems)

Here's an article (http://compmath.wordpress.com/about/5-doing-matheamtical-research/) that inspired me.

13 world class mathematicians tell how they approach mathematical research and problems

I like Zeilberger's T-shirt

Check out the Putnam problems + solutions for practice

http://www.unl.edu/amc/a-activities/a7-problems/putnamindex.shtml