ElectroMaster3's blog

By ElectroMaster3, history, 3 years ago, In English

I did not quit codeforces thanks to you guys.You guys keep motivating me to solve harder problems.

Today i tried to solve this problem

https://codeforces.com/contest/1497/problem/B

I feel like after grinding bunch of 1200 and having a success rate of 0% i should at least do a problem without the editorial.i decided to try that problem.i was optimistic at first because the problem seems easy compared to what i do before.so i decided to try and solve it.

after a whie,i just realize the problem seems harder than it looks.i wonder what is wrong with my solution.after i give up,i look at the editorial.i found out that the problem is easy.i wonder why i make it so difficult(see my wrong answer attempts and compare it to the ac one)

Perhaps someone can help me? feel free to share your thoughts

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3 years ago, # |
Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +17 Vote: I do not like it

Well, it's a comon thing to overcomplicate a problem, usually one on your level. My advice for you is this : Think about the fact that those problems are made for Div2 A or B, usually those are some simple observations + medium implementation solution. So do this : Whenever you think about an astronomic solution with very vague belief that can be corect, just stop it and aproach it în a different way. This helped me a lot and I managed to get faster solutions for Div2 C — D. Good Luck!

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    3 years ago, # ^ |
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    Any tips on approaching a problem in a different way? i usually only come up with one solution so i have no backup solutions

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      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      Honestely, I don't know any tips in particular, you have to make your mind sharp with time so you can recognize patterns, corner cases, what algorithm / technique to use. But what I can say is this, usually when you have the right solution you will get that feeling that that's a good aproach. Also, please stop thinking at half of solution and start implement it without finalize it în your mind. It's probable that after implementing that half to realize you are stuck and that aproach doesn't work. Organize your solution step by step before implementing it

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

There is nothing wrong with you.

Spoiler
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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

Nothing wrong really, it's hard to see the easy solution and needs a very high quality of abstract thinking, and for me this is the real deal, not really knowing many algorithms, if you looked at div3/div2/(lower div1) contestants solutions compared to high div1, Reds & Nutella you will see that, we're OVERKILLING every single problem, you do dijkstra, segment_tree, lazy_propagation while they solve the same exact problem with one or two loops :D

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Second time in a few days you attract attention in a strange way: you ask for help in problem but only say a few words about your feelings, and none of your complications. Don't think you are interested in modular arithmetic. I hope you know what you are getting from it.