Post by Noble Mushtak on May 17, 2015 15:18:22 GMT
I know I am just a first-year eighth-grader at this competition, but we have less than two weeks until ARML and I think there needs to be something in this forum about how to do the Relay Round. I have some tips I know based on the MAML Relay Round:
1.) Start the problem right away, even if you are the second or third problem.
You may be able to find a formula for the answer in terms of TNYWR and then be able to quickly plug in the answer. You can look at my solutions to the Relay Round Fab 42 here (although I don't have R1 finished yet) to see what I mean. First, I find a formula for the answer in terms of T (or k for R4-3) and then plug in the answer from the last round at the end.
2.) Go with your intuition.
The relay round is supposed to be fast-paced, so don't try to "prove" your answer to yourself. Just go with your intuiton, try to get a reasonable answer for the problem, and pass your answer to the next person.
3.) Assume the answer is constant.
If you look at R4-1 in my solutions above, I turn the problem into pure algebra and just guess and check for a solution to the equation I made. Guessing and checking for just one solution works in this situation because if there is another solution (which there is: a=5, b=3, c=2), then the answer would still be the same because there can only be one correct answer. This can really save you time on problems because it allows you to assume things that don't contradict with the given information that makes the problem much easier.
4.) Check your answer once you're done, especially if you are the first problem.
You might be able to finish your problem really quickly, so be really quick with handing back your answer so the people behind you can progress. However, once you've done that, go back and check your answer to make sure you were correct. If you have enough time to "prove" your answer to yourself, do that after you've passed back an answer. If you find a different answer, hand it back quick so everyone else can fix their answer! This is also why it's helpful to have a formula for your answer, so you can plug back in new answers quickly if someone ahead of you messed up.
5.) Mark the top-left hand corner of your answer.
This way, you're answer will be read correctly. For example, a 6 read upside down could look like a 9, which would mess things up! Marking the top-left hand corner of your answer and telling the person behind you that you are going to do this will solve this problem entirely.
6.) The last person should always have a last-minute guess.
In MAML, one of our relay teams guessed the final answer which meant our whole score went up by 10 points just from a guess. Penalties don't seem to count against you in ARML, so just guess!
Hopefully, this tips will help. Also, veterans should post better tips in this thread, too.
1.) Start the problem right away, even if you are the second or third problem.
You may be able to find a formula for the answer in terms of TNYWR and then be able to quickly plug in the answer. You can look at my solutions to the Relay Round Fab 42 here (although I don't have R1 finished yet) to see what I mean. First, I find a formula for the answer in terms of T (or k for R4-3) and then plug in the answer from the last round at the end.
2.) Go with your intuition.
The relay round is supposed to be fast-paced, so don't try to "prove" your answer to yourself. Just go with your intuiton, try to get a reasonable answer for the problem, and pass your answer to the next person.
3.) Assume the answer is constant.
If you look at R4-1 in my solutions above, I turn the problem into pure algebra and just guess and check for a solution to the equation I made. Guessing and checking for just one solution works in this situation because if there is another solution (which there is: a=5, b=3, c=2), then the answer would still be the same because there can only be one correct answer. This can really save you time on problems because it allows you to assume things that don't contradict with the given information that makes the problem much easier.
4.) Check your answer once you're done, especially if you are the first problem.
You might be able to finish your problem really quickly, so be really quick with handing back your answer so the people behind you can progress. However, once you've done that, go back and check your answer to make sure you were correct. If you have enough time to "prove" your answer to yourself, do that after you've passed back an answer. If you find a different answer, hand it back quick so everyone else can fix their answer! This is also why it's helpful to have a formula for your answer, so you can plug back in new answers quickly if someone ahead of you messed up.
5.) Mark the top-left hand corner of your answer.
This way, you're answer will be read correctly. For example, a 6 read upside down could look like a 9, which would mess things up! Marking the top-left hand corner of your answer and telling the person behind you that you are going to do this will solve this problem entirely.
6.) The last person should always have a last-minute guess.
In MAML, one of our relay teams guessed the final answer which meant our whole score went up by 10 points just from a guess. Penalties don't seem to count against you in ARML, so just guess!
Hopefully, this tips will help. Also, veterans should post better tips in this thread, too.