これを初めて知りました。MSN Searchは、MSN Encartaを通じて、代数方程式を解くことができます。
そこで、いくつかの式を試してみました。例えば：0 = x^ 2 + 2 x + 1
...そして実際に、正解として「1」を返しました。再び、より難しい方程式を試してみました：x^3 - x + pi^2 - x^2 = 1
その結果は-1.92182でした。もしこれが私の高校時代から利用できていれば、1.25の成績ではなく完璧な1.0を取得できたでしょう。:D
Darrrrr… I remember, I joined PMO as well back in first year, getting the top place in the divisions (since there was no regional event for that year level), I was not really expecting it because I am not the best in math in our batch. That is when they told me to try Damaths. And oh, we only knew about Sir Jamora inventing damath after graduation. He never said anything about it, humble him. :)
marc: I tried some more complex equations using nested brackets and the system failed to solve it. Looks like your theory might be true.
fleeb: Yup, I did. Was disqualified for DaMath because of conflict of contest schedules. We were the very first batch who road-tested the new game which was invented by Sir Jamora and a colleague.
So you joined PMO, I was only able to join Damaths up til the regionals, and Sir Jamora was also with us. :)
Sounds like MSN’s using a Solver. Similar to mapquest.com, except there’s gives you the shortest distance to a location you want to reach.
Once MSN determines that it’s an equation, they plug it in to a modified linear programming solver that can solve quadratic equations.
Basically loops through possible values of x using the simplex method given the condition =0
I know there’s an open source solver available from GNU, glpk I think is the name of the program.
Sir Jamora, who was also my PMO coach, wouldn’t give me the 1.0 though. Damn missed assignments. :D
Instead of “Teacher: Please keep your calculators!”.
“Teacher: kindly keep your Handhelds, esp those who are browsing MSN!”.
Back in high school, if you got 1.25 for those kind of subjects you are like \m/(^_^)\m/
wow if i knew that too i should have caught the attention of that math wiz in my class who seemed to have known all the answers… which more than half the class is going nuts solving. tssk!!!!