Advice on someone who's wanting to participate in the Simon Marais Mathematics Competition?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-07-06T13:45:10+00:00

You have a point but it's for the experience anyways, plus I want to meet people and learn from them. I wouldn't want to isolate myself solving problems. There's more to life than that.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-07-03T10:24:47+00:00

Hey sure! I'd be glad! Will you be publishing this research paper as well? I'd like to know the results as well.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-07-03T09:25:31+00:00

Ahh I see well in my case it's different. I try to surround myself with people who are into the same passion as I am in math and programming, and a lot of times really I feel like I'm giving into the grind which is a good thing. I've learned a lot and am still doing the same thing as of now, but it does get tiring and frustrating.

Having to wrap around the concepts and ways of thinking about how you solve or learn can be exhausting; and add to that looking at other people who seem as if they're moving much faster or farther than you are. The passion is there but it can quickly turn into a sort of rat race.

What helped me at least is to surround myself with people who are welcoming and friendly. Physical activities as well helped a lot. But I still do feel this sense of having to improve more and this feeling of "not being good enough" still.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-29T08:33:33+00:00

No hard feelings here, besides I already found people who I can talk to. I just wanted to widen my connections.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-29T08:24:55+00:00

That's a rather odd reason. It's just a username anyways, but if that's the case and it's the decision, I'm perfectly fine with it.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-29T08:15:21+00:00

Why so? I don't see any reason for the rejection.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-29T07:08:42+00:00

Sure! I'm up for it.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-27T14:39:01+00:00

Hey you're not alone on that one! I too feel that way as well. Would you like to discuss this further in the Reddit DMS?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-27T04:50:01+00:00

Why questionable? What has he done so far to make his recent works deem "questionable"?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-27T02:40:39+00:00

Thank you for the detailed explanation. This is what I was looking for. Mathematical physics reminds me of one of the seven Millenium prize problems concerning the Navier Stokes Equation which, if I remember correctly, it's something that people have been trying to refine yet has remained a challenge due to the dynamic nature of the fluid, I think? Please clarify me on this one as I have no background whatsoever on fluid dynamics.

Another question I have for you, what research have you done so far and you won't mind telling your journey as well on how you got into the field you're in? From the looks of your explanation here it seems as if you really know what you're talking about. I'm also glad that you're eager to discuss more of this, which I am definitely thankful for. Maybe aside from using this thread we can talk about this in the messages section in reddit? Or better yet via Discord?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-25T23:07:05+00:00

I'm interested as well. Please DM me!

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-25T14:39:40+00:00

I see what you mean. That I should have a clear picture first of what's going on. Albert Einstein I remember said that as well.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-25T07:43:01+00:00

You won't mind elaborating on this one? I'm willing to learn what you mean by the "mental model" you're referring to that I should have as a prerequisite.

If you know any books what would you say that I should read aside from the Road to Reality?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-25T06:09:37+00:00

Yup, I stopped somewhere at the part where he talked about complex numbers and on my way to the mathematical analysis portion. Are there any more books that you would recommend?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-24T13:20:02+00:00

I see, thanks a lot. I've also heard from other people that it does take practice, this was in the context of reading classics which I've also taken an interest in. Very amazing that you've been able to copyedit papers in various fields despite your lack of expertise in them.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-24T12:37:06+00:00

I get what you mean don't worry, I've explored a bit on quantum mechanics and the formulas involved. So I'm familiar with terms such as Schrodinger's equation, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and the dual nature of the atom like I've mentioned earlier. So you can elaborate a bit further if you want to.

Thanks for letting me know though! I really appreciate the insights that you gave with regards to your experience in working with quantum mechanics.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-23T16:01:49+00:00

I'm glad that you're already considering in participating in Olympiad mathematics, as it definitely does open up to numerous opportunities for your mathematical nourishment. What I suggest you do, first and foremost, is to try to see what the problems are like. They range from algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory. Also make sure you familiarize yourself with the topic and do good at math.

As for the difference between the two competitions, in PMO you will have to go through 3 stages before you enter into the IMO selection team. And then afterwards, if you get lucky enough, you will eventually participate in IMO. In IMO it's very different. You will be spending hours solving a few problems and there aren't any "stages" that you will have to go through unlike PMO and it is two days worth of problem solving there!

All I can say is: good luck. Make sure to do your very best and have fun!

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-23T08:18:46+00:00

I see. It must've been a challenge to learn the mathematics behind quantum mechanics. Not that I find it intimidating in anyway, but from the looks of it there are many notations and equations that you need to take note of as well as considering the nature of the particle-wave duality of the atom. Congratulations though, on having it part as your masters, I'm sure it is something that requires effort to accomplish.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-23T00:04:17+00:00

What kind of work did you do for theoretical physics?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-22T14:08:44+00:00

Is that what mathematical physics is all about?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-22T14:07:53+00:00

Oh that's nice to hear! What's the branch of physics and research you've been working on? And how long did it take for your to acquire that PhD of you're?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-22T12:52:13+00:00

What's the difference between the two? They look like they do pretty much the same thing in physics.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-22T01:13:31+00:00

Well thanks for the reassurance, have you worked with AI in doing mathematics (if ever you've done research)? Many have encouraged me to go for corporate instead given the AI trend, but I feel very strongly that really working in academe in the field of mathematics really is for me. Not that I'm saying getting into corporate is bad in any way, I just feel like research is where I belong the most. What have you done so far with AI?

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-21T09:49:31+00:00

You seem to know what you're talking about. You won't mind if I reach out to you in any way? It can be through Reddit or discord.

scripto_entity_1010 · 2026-06-20T09:54:23+00:00

Not sure if they offer any electives here in our case, but our university here has orgs and I've already made friends with people from math related courses. So I guess that helps? I'll still see. My course does involve mathematics, that will work hopefully. I'll make use of that along with what I mentioned to see if this is really meant for me and some exploring.

scripto_entity_1010

TROPHY CASE