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I have been curious for a while: What is in the opinion of the HN community a good score on Project Euler? For which scores do you tip your figurative hat?

by Bootvis 12y ago

sejje 12y ago
I did the first 50 problems, and then cherry picked another 15 or so. At some point the math was beyond my knowledge, and I didn't find much fun in researching it. I'm a fairly normal web developer, in my own estimation.
Igglyboo 12y ago
I'd say 100 solved problems is pretty impressive. I have about 75-ish done with no math background (other than a few classes for my CS degree). The first 50 should be doable for most people in my opinion. After that you need to start being really clever or actually going and researching the problem at hand.
- ionforce 12y ago
  For which people? There are certain "developers" who can't even fizz buzz their way out of a paper bag.
  - Bootvis 12y ago
    Let's say for someone you think is competent.
prezjordan 12y ago
It's really tough to say. Some people have awesome math degrees, some people only do it casually, some don't do it at all. Keep doing the problems until you get stuck. Then learn, then solve a few more. Repeat as long as you're happy with your progress. I wouldn't put a number on it. In fact, do some easy ones in a completely new language!
neutronicus 12y ago
Not scores so much as specific problems. If I work on it for a week, get frustrated, google for solutions, and can't find any, and you solved it, you're a beast. Also if you solve 328 tell me how. And no, dynamic programming is not efficient enough.
- andreasvc 12y ago
  Maybe there is a closed-form solution?
- ghusbands 12y ago
  It's easier than you might think. Only read this comment as far as you need to make a little more progress. These hints only apply if you're starting with a dynamic programming approach. Also, they're only helpful if you do the work, so I don't think they violate the spirit of Project Euler. Is your dynamic programming table 2D? Maybe it should be. Stop reading if that's progress. Have you looked closely at the table content? Stop reading. Have you noticed how similar many parts are, under perhaps simple transforms? Stop reading. Try adding or subtracting your coordinates, to see more of the pattern. Stop reading. There's not just a within-row pattern. Stop reading. In the end, dynamic programming might not be the main trick. But you can make your own way from here.

I have been curious for a while: What is in the opinion of the HN community a good score on Project Euler? For which scores do you tip your figurative hat?

by Bootvis 12y ago

I have been curious for a while: What is in the opinion of the HN community a good score on Project Euler? For which scores do you tip your figurative hat?

sejje 12y ago

I did the first 50 problems, and then cherry picked another 15 or so. At some point the math was beyond my knowledge, and I didn't find much fun in researching it. I'm a fairly normal web developer, in my own estimation.

Igglyboo 12y ago

I'd say 100 solved problems is pretty impressive. I have about 75-ish done with no math background (other than a few classes for my CS degree). The first 50 should be doable for most people in my opinion. After that you need to start being really clever or actually going and researching the problem at hand.

ionforce 12y ago
For which people? There are certain "developers" who can't even fizz buzz their way out of a paper bag.
- Bootvis 12y ago
  Let's say for someone you think is competent.

prezjordan 12y ago

It's really tough to say. Some people have awesome math degrees, some people only do it casually, some don't do it at all. Keep doing the problems until you get stuck. Then learn, then solve a few more. Repeat as long as you're happy with your progress. I wouldn't put a number on it. In fact, do some easy ones in a completely new language!

neutronicus 12y ago

Not scores so much as specific problems. If I work on it for a week, get frustrated, google for solutions, and can't find any, and you solved it, you're a beast. Also if you solve 328 tell me how. And no, dynamic programming is not efficient enough.

andreasvc 12y ago
Maybe there is a closed-form solution?
ghusbands 12y ago
It's easier than you might think. Only read this comment as far as you need to make a little more progress. These hints only apply if you're starting with a dynamic programming approach. Also, they're only helpful if you do the work, so I don't think they violate the spirit of Project Euler. Is your dynamic programming table 2D? Maybe it should be. Stop reading if that's progress. Have you looked closely at the table content? Stop reading. Have you noticed how similar many parts are, under perhaps simple transforms? Stop reading. Try adding or subtracting your coordinates, to see more of the pattern. Stop reading. There's not just a within-row pattern. Stop reading. In the end, dynamic programming might not be the main trick. But you can make your own way from here.