HCB Chapter 156 Lin Chen, how about checking out MIT?
Chapter 156 Lin Chen, how about checking out MIT?
"He used more than one answer to the question?"
"To be precise, there are at least four... even the final, most challenging question has four possible solutions..."
"Moreover, after careful study, we confirmed that each of his solutions was correct!"
Marina listened to the staff's explanation while looking at Lin Chen's exam paper on the screen.
The paper was covered with dense writing, with almost no blank space.
"Wait, didn't you say he wrote at least four solutions for each problem? I only saw two."
Someone suddenly raised an objection.
The staff member immediately smiled wryly:
"There wasn't enough space on the exam paper, so he asked us for a lot of scratch paper. He wrote down the rest of the solutions on the paper. Please take a look!"
The staff then projected Lin Chen's draft paper onto the screen again.
Marina only glanced at it briefly before confirming that what the staff member said was true.
"Incredible!"
Marina had the staff show the solutions to each question.
As they watched, everyone present wore expressions of shock.
Most of those qualified to sit here today are people in the field of mathematics.
He's either a math professor or a true mathematician.
Therefore, after only reading Lin Chen's solution process once, they knew whether Lin Chen's thinking and solution were correct.
Without a doubt, all of Lin Chen's answers were correct!
While everyone was still in shock, Marina clapped her hands.
"Everyone, this contestant's answers are undoubtedly correct. It's getting late, so what we need to discuss now is whether to accept the score of 100 given by the grading team. What are your opinions?"
"Of course not!"
A member from the United States immediately stood up to voice his opposition.
"The full score for the test is 42 points. No matter how many answers he provided, 42 is 42. Why should he be given 100 points?"
"But isn't this contestant's action remarkable? Don't forget that the difficulty of this exam was increased at the suggestion of your United States! There are even a few questions involving linear algebra and calculus!"
"It's remarkable that a middle school student could achieve this!"
"Gentlemen! There's something I forgot to mention."
The staff member from the grading team suddenly interrupted, saying, "Please don't forget, this contestant completed our exam paper at least four times within eight hours!"
In other words, even disregarding the fact that he provided more than four solutions to some questions, this contestant completed our exam in an average of only two hours!
"Hi~!"
"2 hours?!"
Upon hearing this, many people in the audience gasped in shock.
2 hours?
It's important to know that the organizing committee gave the contestants 8 hours to answer 6 questions.
On average, each question is given more than an hour to answer.
As a result, this guy named Lin Chen answered all 6 questions in just 2 hours.
"Oh my god! Gisser is going to die! He finished 6 questions in 2 hours?"
"Incredible!"
"This is probably the fastest contestant in IMO history!"
"He should also be one of the most outstanding players!"
Marina looked around at everyone and said, "In the past, countless geniuses have emerged in the IMO arena, but I'm afraid the one we're seeing now is the most outstanding of them all!"
"No one has ever been able to tackle the IMO problems so easily, and even wrote out all the solutions for each problem."
"Without a doubt, for such a genius, one gold medal is not enough to demonstrate his excellence!"
"The IMO's mission is to inspire young students' interest in mathematics, promote international exchange, select outstanding talents, and advance the development of mathematics education worldwide through high-level mathematics competitions!"
Lin Chen's performance perfectly aligns with our goals for hosting the IMO competition!
Marina paused, then looked at her American colleague.
"We reformed this year's competition at the suggestion of our American friends, emphasizing the competition between nations rather than individuals."
"Therefore, I propose that when calculating the national results, this athlete's score be counted as 42 points. But to the outside world, his score will be an unprecedented 100 points!"
……
Just as the IMO organizing committee was having a heated discussion...
Lin Chen and his team are also waiting for the final result of this competition.
Xiao Li held a laptop and kept refreshing the IMO organizing committee's page.
"That's strange. In previous years, the final rankings were announced at night. Why weren't they announced this year?"
"Won't they wait until tomorrow to announce the results?" Teacher Zhu guessed.
"Um... that's quite possible."
Xiao Li slapped his forehead.
The format of this year's IMO competition has changed, so it seems reasonable that the time for the final results to be announced has also changed.
Those who were waiting to know the results immediately expressed their disdain upon hearing Xiao Li's words.
"Teacher Xiao, you made me have high expectations for nothing!"
"Exactly, if I had known this would happen, I would have just stayed in bed watching shows."
Lin Chen also complained, "I've been waiting for so long for nothing, and I'm starving."
“Me too!” Chen Xiaoxiao said.
“Me too!” Yang Zongyuan raised his hand.
"How about we find somewhere to eat?"
As soon as Lin Chen made the suggestion, Xiao Li poured cold water on it.
"The University of Melbourne's dining halls should already be closed, and besides, this isn't China, so you should probably skip it."
"Ah~!"
Everyone was speechless upon hearing this.
But they also knew that Xiao Li wasn't deliberately being cynical.
This is Australia, not China. Most shops around the university close after 8 p.m.
Even if Xiao Li allows them to go out and find food, it will probably be very difficult to find any.
Just then, everyone heard a knock on the door.
"Who could it be so late?"
Teacher Zhu opened the door with a puzzled look on her face.
But a moment later, he walked in with a grim expression.
"Lin Chen, someone is looking for you."
"Find me?"
Lin Chen went over and took a look, only to find that the person looking for him was Luo Sheng, the leader of the US math Olympiad team, who had brought Tang Ming and Zhang Qing, who had defected to the Americans.
"Hi! Lin Chen... We'd like to talk to you about something privately."
Without thinking, Lin Chen declined, saying, "Sorry, it's too late, I'm not available."
Luo Sheng's smile froze for a moment, then he suddenly said, "Lin Chen, I heard that you Chinese have a habit of eating late-night snacks. Why don't we go grab something to eat first and chat while we eat? Our US team's hotel has a 24-hour restaurant..."
Lin Chen was about to refuse, but then a sudden inspiration struck him.
"Having a late-night snack is fine... but I have one condition: I need to bring our people along, otherwise it's off the table."
Luo Sheng's lips twitched, and he said, "Then let's hurry up and leave. Our hotel is right next to the university!"
"Hey guys, let's go out for a late-night snack! Someone's treating!"
Without saying a word, Lin Chen immediately turned around and shouted.
The room erupted in cheers immediately.
Although Luo Sheng's heart was bleeding, he still suppressed his anger and tried his best to keep a smile on his face.
A moment later, the group arrived at the hotel where the US team was staying.
Although the IMO organizing committee provided accommodation at the University of Melbourne for each country, the Americans insisted on doing things differently.
I found a four-star hotel off-campus and checked in alone.
And just as Luo Sheng said, there really is a 24-hour restaurant in this hotel.
Once inside the restaurant, Lin Chen had no choice but to sit at the same table with the three of them, due to Luo Sheng's strong insistence.
Chen Xiaoxiao and the others, along with Xiao Li and Teacher Zhu, sat at two separate tables.
It's a foreign restaurant, after all, and they only serve steak and similar dishes.
Lin Chen ordered a steak for everyone except Luo Sheng and the other two, then pursed his lips.
"The foreigners are eating too meagerly, there's no barbecue at all. Oh well, let's just eat whatever we can find."
Tang Ming and Zhang Qing couldn't help but complain in their hearts.
What's with the shivering? Each steak here costs 30 pounds!
If you exchanged that money for barbecue in China, you could eat yourself to death!
After ordering, Lin Chen handed the menu to Luo Sheng: "Mr. Luo, would you like to order one for yourselves?"
Tang Ming and Zhang Qing spat and were about to speak when they saw Luo Sheng hand the menu back to the waiter.
"The three of us aren't hungry, just give us one cup of coffee each."
Tang Ming and Zhang Qing opened their mouths, then closed them again.
After this little incident, Luo Sheng began to exchange pleasantries with Lin Chen, inquiring about other things happening in China.
Meanwhile, Xiao Li and the others were all listening intently to the conversation.
While listening, Yang Zongyuan asked in a low voice, "Teacher Xiao, what is Luo Sheng here for?"
Before Xiao Li could speak, Chen Xiaoxiao said, "Unsolicited kindness is either a trick or a thief!"
While listening to the conversation, Xiao Li said, "Xiao Xiao is right. The Americans must have heard something and are eyeing Lin Chen."
"Then they've miscalculated." Chen Xiaoxiao smiled slightly and took a sip of water.
"Ugh, it's so cold! There's not even hot water here?"
……
On the other side, after the initial pleasantries, Luo Sheng finally revealed his true colors.
"Lin Chen, I didn't expect your family situation to be so bad... But don't worry, your chance to turn your luck around has arrived!"
"I greatly admire your performance at the IMO. If possible, I would recommend you for university in the United States! And this university is..."
MIT!