Frequently asked questions

What are the tiers?

There are three of increasing difficulty:

The "easier" problems (relatively speaking) will be placed in elliptic tier while the harder ones go in hyperbolic, leaving the rest in parabolic. There is potential for subjectivity and error in classification, but we try, so please bear with us.

How many questions are there?

There will be twelve problems per tier per semester.

What is the question schedule?

Usually, problems and previous problem solutions will be posted at noon Monday and due the following Sunday at midnight. Some weeks will not have a problem, or some problems might run for two weeks instead.

Can I submit multiple solutions?

Yes. They don't even need to be different - if you realize you can improve a submission before the deadline, go for it. You can also hedge your bets by submitting different solutions altogether, if you think you've found more than one. Only the best score is counted.

Will my submissions be public?

By default your name will only be attached to your net score on the leaderboard. If your solution is considered pretty amazing we may repurpose it for an official solution; we will ask you whether or not you want attribution.

How does grading work?

Each problem is worth ten points. Partial credit is available for partial work. Even non-answers, and wrong answers, may earn credit. The leaderboard will use stars (based on the scale one star = ten points).

Can I use software?

Yes, unless the problem explicitly says otherwise. Especially CASs like Mathematica, Maple, Matlab. Also includes online platforms like Wolfram|Alpha or Desmos. Point out in your submissions how you used software, though. 

Do I have to show work?

Yes. Many problems are explicitly ask for explanations. Submissions must be in your own words. They do not need to be rigorous proofs, so long as they are clear and logical.

Can I write a program?

Yes. For a couple problems it might even be necessary! Provide code used in your submissions. Please comment your code and make it readable if it happens to be complex. There are online IDEs available for many popular languages.

Can I get outside help?

Peer discussion, and asking instructors for guidance, is allowed. Online research for background knowledge is also allowed. However, online forums like Math.Stackexchange are forbidden (until the deadlines pass, anyway). Passing other's work off as your own will count for zero credit, and may bar you from future participation or even nullify questions in the leaderboard.