ivan100sic's blog

A story of how I solved a problem after 2+ years
By ivan100sic, history, 2 years ago, In English

Hi Codeforces, I want to tell you an interesting story.

There was this problem: 1264E - Beautiful League, the contest took place on December 5th, 2019. Now, I know it's not extremely hard, and its rating is "only" 2700, possibly lowered by the fact that it was known to some contestants from some other site. However, for some reason, I just couldn't come up with a solution, and I didn't want to read the editorial. I tried a few greedy approaches, and one of them even got to test case 206: 66478537.

So, this problem remained a mystery. I remember taking walks when I was bored, and sometimes thinking about this problem to try and solve it. But I just couldn't. I tried revisiting it at least 10 times over the past two years. It was one of my favorite problems to think about when I had some time to waste.

So anyway, after New Year celebrations, I went to sleep but I just couldn't fall asleep. Normally when this happens I pick up a problem and think about it until either I solve it or I fall asleep. So I picked up one problem, though it was quite easy (at least for me) and I solved it pretty quickly while lying in bed. It's this problem, if anyone cares: 1608D - Dominoes.

I still couldn't fall asleep, so I decided, why not try that old graph triangles problem? The idea was, there's no way I'll solve it, so I'll fall asleep quite easily. But to my shock, I did come up with just the right idea this time, and after some time I had the complete solution, all while lying in bed. I was very excited and happy about it but of course, I still couldn't fall asleep. So eventually I did fall asleep from sheer tiredness and the next day I implemented them both and got AC on the first try.

The moral of the story:

  • I need to read a few more 3000+ problems and remember them, as backup.
  • Revisiting old problems will eventually work if you give it enough time, especially if you keep solving other problems in the meantime.
  • No pain no gain

Thank you for bearing with me

  • Vote: I like it
  • +472
  • Vote: I do not like it

Comments Comments (12)
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2 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +14 Vote: I do not like it

Didn't give up/read editorial for two years wow

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    2 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +23 Vote: I do not like it

    Just a wow, if you are not falling for sleep, solve a problem in mind, either you win or fall asleep. Finger crossed in either ways

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

    That's the way to move out of gray.

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2 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +77 Vote: I do not like it

Another proof for that it's easier to solve problems before sleep, specially when your brain is fully awake but you want to sleep.

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

Hopefully someday I will be able to solve that problem on my own. :)

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2 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +29 Vote: I do not like it

People saying they solve problems rated "only" 2700 is kind of depressing for me :(

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

Witness the kind of thing brains do so we can let them fall asleep. Insane!

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

How to upvote twice ?

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

You are an inspiration.

Your consistency since 2018 is amazing!

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

Really get shocked for your persistence! I think I should be more determined, and concentrate on practice.

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2 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +26 Vote: I do not like it

I am currently trying some half-greedy aproaches for this problem, but sys-tests are quit strong(stuck on WA 215)

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