4 ms·

This article is a nerd snipe. Be forewarned. I had some hallucinations of spending the next decades solving crossword puzzles as I read that, but they seem so

This article is a nerd snipe. Be forewarned. I had some hallucinations of spending the next decades solving crossword puzzles as I read that, but they seem so arbitry I would go crazy, I'll stick to mathematics puzzles.

dorchadas 5y ago
Where do you get your mathematics puzzles?
- openfuture 5y ago
  University and from thinking about large problems I'm interested in.. Also game design. I basically picked a "side project" that I wouldn't mind doing forever.. So a hobby.. And then I just collect ideas that could be useful and I slowly get bored and go deeper until most of what I read and watch is more "advanced" than it was before... Maybe one day I'll be considered an expert problem solver, if so, it'll be because I took the time to try and solve one problem thoroughly and so many subproblems are cross-disciplinary. When you have some concept of "wasting time" then you'll have too much anxiety to follow this process in a way where you can develop a natural and relaxed approach to problem solving. If I'm wrong and that you need the anxiety to break through some ceiling then I'll spend my life as a happy layman.
EdwardDiego 5y ago
It really is a case of learning the puzzle creator's tricks and tell-tale phrasings. Takes a few goes, and switching to another crossword involves an adjustment period. Although anagrams are always ever popular. (And the hint I have for solving those is to write the letters in a circle, preferably backwards, so that you're not misled by existing structures in the word) First crossword clue I ever solved solo was "six go by vehicle to see priest", that particular setter was very fond of roman numerals, which I'd picked up on from my previous attempts, so I figured it'd start with VI, and of course, a car is a vehicle, and a vicar is another term for an Anglican priest.

dorchadas 5y ago

Where do you get your mathematics puzzles?

openfuture 5y ago
University and from thinking about large problems I'm interested in.. Also game design. I basically picked a "side project" that I wouldn't mind doing forever.. So a hobby.. And then I just collect ideas that could be useful and I slowly get bored and go deeper until most of what I read and watch is more "advanced" than it was before... Maybe one day I'll be considered an expert problem solver, if so, it'll be because I took the time to try and solve one problem thoroughly and so many subproblems are cross-disciplinary. When you have some concept of "wasting time" then you'll have too much anxiety to follow this process in a way where you can develop a natural and relaxed approach to problem solving. If I'm wrong and that you need the anxiety to break through some ceiling then I'll spend my life as a happy layman.

EdwardDiego 5y ago

It really is a case of learning the puzzle creator's tricks and tell-tale phrasings. Takes a few goes, and switching to another crossword involves an adjustment period. Although anagrams are always ever popular. (And the hint I have for solving those is to write the letters in a circle, preferably backwards, so that you're not misled by existing structures in the word) First crossword clue I ever solved solo was "six go by vehicle to see priest", that particular setter was very fond of roman numerals, which I'd picked up on from my previous attempts, so I figured it'd start with VI, and of course, a car is a vehicle, and a vicar is another term for an Anglican priest.