The War

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27 Dec 2024

Project: [Math Machine]

Status: In Progress

Start: 2024-12-27

Deadline: Open-ended

Tags: #math #Study

🎯 Objective

Learn to think more mathematically that you become a Math Terminator.

🧠 Why It Matters (aka Existential Justification)

Because this aligns with this commandment:

I am a problem-solving machine. I never settle.

I love mathematics, logic and thinking. I want to sharpen my mind to think more deeply and to solve problems (on paper and in real life) more efficiently. Also because I don’t want to suck in my favorite subject.

I am thinking of pursuing my undergrads in Abstract Math / Cs / or adjacent.

I have decided to get into CMI for a Math/CS degree. The sooner I start, the better.

✅ Success Criteria

Also:

  1. You’re solving ≥50 % of IOQM problems by September.
  2. By December, you’re consistently writing clean, complete proofs for Pasquale/Andreescu problems under timed conditions.
  3. In January–February, your board paper scores are ≥85 % in mocks.
  4. After March 11, you can reliably solve 4 out of 6 CMI problems (with full rigor) in a 3-hour window.
  5. Your error log shrinks—fewer repeated idiotic mistakes; more elegant moves.

🛠️ Tools + System

Closely aligned to Project Ultralearning; almost a pre-req

(UPDATE) Thanks to ChatGPT, I got this very rough draft of the phases:

🔧 Phase 0 (June 1 – June 9) – Set Up Your Arsenal

  1. Build Your System
    • Grab three notebooks or digital folders:
      1. Math Problems (Zeitz & IOQM)
      2. Error Log & Reflections
      3. Physics/Chem Notes
    • Download/print IOQM, RMO, INMO, and CMI past papers; stash them in a folder.
  2. Kick Off Zeitz
    • Start with Chapter 1; solve 1–2 problems per day, writing full solutions.
    • If you finish early, peek at Chapter 2 examples or re-solve the same problem in a different way.
  3. Micro-Ultralearn Physics & Chemistry
    • Identify your top-5 board topics per subject.
    • Each morning, spend 30 minutes reading the NCERT/OpenStax section for one topic, then 30 minutes solving 3–5 problems.
    • Create one Anki flashcard per day for a new formula/synthesis/reaction.
  4. Get a Taste of IOQM Pain
    • On June 3 or 4, take a timed 2-hour IOQM past paper—no pressure, just feel the burn.
    • The next day, review your attempt, log your “Error of the Day” for every problem you screwed up.
  5. Lock in the Error-Logging Habit
    • Every evening, write one sentence:
      • “Error I made today: ______. Why? ______. Next time: ______.”

🏋️ Phase 1 (June 10 – September 10) – IOQM Grind + Physics/Chem Ultralearning

  1. Master IOQM-Style Problem Solving
    • Treat IOQM as your daily boss: solve 2–3 IOQM/RMO problems every day under timed conditions.
    • After each attempt, immediately log your mistakes and re-solve any unsolved problems within 2–3 days.
  2. Finish Zeitz & Supplement with “Challenge & Thrill”
    • Push Zeitz through Chapters 3–5 by mid-August (solve every problem fully).
    • Whenever Zeitz is done, switch to “Challenge & Thrill of Pre-College Math” to absorb the Indian contest flavor.
  3. Ultra-Ultralearn Physics & Chemistry
    • Define a weekly rotation: daily focus on one board topic in Physics or Chemistry.
    • For each topic, read its NCERT/OpenStax chapter and solve 5–7 past board or JEE problems—no skimping.
    • Keep adding flashcards for formulas, derivations, and reaction mechanisms.
    • Every weekend, sit for a “mini board mock” (pick 5–7 physics + 5–7 chemistry questions) and log errors.
  4. Add “Andreescu/Pasquale Lite” Starting July
    • By late July, pick one Andreescu or Pasquale section (for example, a foundational Number Theory or Algebra chapter) and solve 2–3 problems daily.
    • Continue this until September, so you’re not blind-sided by tougher proof-style questions later.
  5. Weekly Mock & Review
    • Every Sunday, do a timed IOQM mock (2–3 hours), grade yourself, and list your “Top 3 Screw-Ups.”
    • Reflect: “Am I stuck too long on a particular trick? Which technique do I need to practice next?”

🔥 Phase 2 (September 11 – December 31) – CMI Core Math + Board Studies Ramp

  1. Transition to CMI-Style Math Books
    • Dump Zeitz for heavier artillery: deep-dive into “Problem Solving Tactics” (Pasquale) and Andreescu’s “Mathematical Olympiad Challenges.”
    • Pick one chapter per month (e.g., Invariants or Extremal Principle first), fully solve 3–4 problems, and write detailed proofs.
  2. Attack “An Excursion in Mathematics” (Modak)
    • Tackle 20 of Modak’s trickiest problems by year-end—no fluff. Make sure each solution is written cleanly, as if for publication.
  3. Keep IOQM Momentum via Hybrid Mocks
    • Every two weeks, mix CMI + IOQM + RMO problems to simulate curveballs. Solve under timed conditions and log “Error Archetypes” (e.g., “missed injectivity” or “failed case analysis”).
  4. Board Exam Catch-Up & Stabilization
    • Identify any board topics you’re weak on (from your mini mocks). Devote 2–3 sessions weekly to those topics.
    • Use O.P. Tandon or Modern ABC for Chemistry reactions/mechanisms, and HC Verma or Resnick & Halliday for Physics concepts.
    • By December, aim to nail 80–90 % of all board-level questions in practice tests.
  5. Embrace Proof Rigor & LaTeX
    • For each CMI-level problem you solve, instantly create a LaTeX write-up: one clean PDF proof, well-typeset.
    • Post select proofs on AoPS/Obsidian/Blog for feedback. This builds clarity of expression and spotlights hidden mistakes.
  6. Error-Log Review Sundays
    • Every Sunday evening, scan the past week’s error log. Identify your top 3 recurring idiot mistakes (sloppy algebra, case-dropping, misreading).
    • Plan “micro-drills” to obliterate these mistakes next week.

⚔️ Phase 3 (January 1 – March 10) – Boards Finalization + CMI Maintenance

  1. Board Exam Domination
    • For the first two months (Jan–Feb), put 85 % of your energy into Physics and Chemistry boards.
    • Each day, practice full board questions: one Physics topic + one Chemistry topic in the morning, then review the error log.
    • By February end, aim to consistently hit 85 %+ on full board papers under timed conditions.
  2. Minimal CMI Math Maintenance
    • Keep the CMI gears turning with one proof problem per day (CMI, RMO, or INMO). Solve for 60 minutes—even if you’re exhausted.
    • Spend 15 minutes reviewing a critical theorem or trick in Anki to keep the math spark alive.
  3. Physical & Mental Health Checkpoints
    • Sleep 7–8 hours every night. No negotiating.
    • Keep up a 30–45 minute workout 4× a week—anything to clear brain fog.
    • Reserve one evening/week for hobbies or philosophy reading to avoid burning out.
  4. Board Mega Mocks & Review
    • Every weekend, simulate a full set of board papers (Physics + Chemistry + Math).
    • Correct them immediately, log “Top 5 Errors,” and plan Monday’s review to address those.

👑 Phase 4 (March 11 – May 4) – Full-Blown CMI Grind (Final Boss)

  1. Unleash Relentless CMI Mocks
    • From March 11 onward, CMI is your sole focus. Do one past CMI paper every weekday under strict conditions.
    • Immediately grade yourself, log “Top 3 Screw-Ups,” and “Top 3 Elegant Moves.” Then re-solve your screw-ups within 24 hours.
  2. Targeted Weakness Blitz
    • Use your cumulative error log to find your two biggest blind spots (e.g., “functional equations,” “combinatorial geometry”).
    • Every weekend, dedicate 2 hours to 3–4 problems exclusively on that topic until the gap is gone.
  3. Keep Stamina Sharp
    • Simulate full-length exam conditions: no water bottle, no breaks, no distractions. Build the “mental endurance” to sit unbroken for 3 hours.
    • Taper down in the final week: no new problems, just light review of your compiled “Screw-Ups” list. Sleep >7 hours nightly.
  4. Finalize the Theorem Bank & Proof Elegance
    • Create a one-page summary of 20–30 must-know results (e.g., Cauchy-Schwarz variants, common inequality patterns, standard combinatorial lemmas).
    • Read one or two expertly written proofs of problems you’ve solved. Study how they structure arguments, then refine your own write-ups accordingly.
  5. Mental & Physical Pre-Exam Ritual
    • One week before the exam, drop all heavy lifting. Do only light review of your “Screw-Ups” list and Theorem Bank.
    • Simulate your test-day routine
      1. Wake at 5:30 AM, hydrate, stretch.
      2. Warm up with a single easy olympiad proof (20 minutes).
      3. Show up to the exam mindset: “I’ve already fought this war.”
    • During the exam, flag problems early—if you’re stuck for 20 minutes, pivot. Trust your training.

📈 Progress Log

Date What I Did
2024-12-27 Started IMT Course
2025-04-07 Idea of Progressive Overload came to mind
2025-04-08 Revamped system to track problems and solutions
2025-04-24 Started the War.
2025-05-31 Decided I will go to CMI

💥 Wins

📓 Reflections

Once you’re done (or halfway through), write: