amaotonovel Chapter 215 The United States is the King of Mathematics
Chapter 215 The United States is the King of Mathematics
On Weibo, a news item has already topped the trending searches.
The US President announced that the country will co-host a university math challenge with China!
The source of this news is a press conference just held by the US President.
At the press conference, the blond-haired president proudly announced:
"Thank you all. I have some big news to announce here. Under my direct orders, our Minister of Education has reached an agreement with the Dragon Kingdom. The two countries will jointly host the most spectacular, exciting, and intelligent competition in history..."
Meilong University Student Mathematics Challenge!
"This will be a clash of geniuses, a stage for the winners! You will see how the true victors crush their opponents. Believe me, the American students will open your eyes!"
"China? Yes, they always say they're good at math, right? But we have the best kids, the best universities, and the best MAGA spirit!"
Our students will prove with formulas that the United States is the king of mathematics! They'll write equations that are more beautiful than Wall Street stock tickers and cooler than Hollywood special effects!
The rules are simple: compare results, compare innovation, and compare who can make mathematics sexy again!
After the president's proud announcement, a much more serious female education minister announced the rules of the competition.
This match will be divided into two parts: home and away.
One event each will be held in the United States and China.
The rules of the competition are also very simple: each country, China and the United States, will send five university students, ranging from undergraduate to master's degree students, as representatives.
Five representatives will compete in one-on-one matches.
The competition was a way to demonstrate their mathematical prowess to the world.
Each person poses a question to the other.
Finally, the female education minister proudly announced...
In support of the President's grand undertaking, his close associate, America's richest man, Masco, has agreed to sponsor the competition.
The winning team in the final competition will receive a prize of 100 million US dollars!
The US president is a natural at generating buzz, especially since this matter concerns the honor of both countries.
Therefore, the patriotism of Chinese netizens has been thoroughly ignited under this trending topic.
"That idiot Trump, if he can't beat high school students, he sends in college students. Next, will he send in PhDs?"
"If we can't even beat our high school students, how can we expect college students to win?"
"Aren't math departments in the US mainly kept afloat by international students?"
"Another rule should be added: the US must send its own domestic college students; international students don't count!"
Of course, whenever something like this happens, there are always some self-proclaimed rational and clear-headed people who step forward, and this time is no exception.
"Is it so hard to admit that you can't compare to others? If Americans are bad at math, why are so many students from Tsinghua and Peking Universities rushing to study in the US?"
"Mathematics is not just about being able to solve problems. Our students only know how to memorize formulas, and they really can't compete with others when they get to university."
"That's just the way it is. Our college students can only do math exams. How can they compare to Americans?"
"I think we shouldn't have too high hopes, lest we lose too badly in the end."
……
Lin Chen was still scrolling when Chen Xiaoxiao suddenly nudged him with her elbow.
"Lin Chen, this is a university student competition. Do you think you have a chance to participate?"
"Me? I don't think so, do I?"
Lin Chen thought for a moment and said, "This competition allows graduate students to participate, but I'm only a freshman. Even if I wanted to participate, I doubt anyone would agree, right?"
"Right……"
Chen Xiaoxiao nodded.
Although Lin Chen is a genius, this is a matter of national pride. Who would have the courage to let a freshman represent the country in this competition?
Just as Lin Chen and his group returned to their dormitory.
The education authorities in Beijing are also holding a high-level emergency meeting.
Within half an hour, the principals of several prestigious universities in Beijing, the heads of their respective mathematics departments, and key leaders from the education department all arrived at the same conference room.
Outside of Beijing, several prestigious universities with expertise in mathematics also sent representatives to participate remotely via teleconference.
Their sole purpose was to discuss the competition invitation from the United States.
In fact, the US president was bragging again this time.
The Dragon Kingdom had only received an invitation to organize the competition and had not yet responded.
It was only because of the president's rhetoric that the still hesitant Chinese government departments were put under tremendous pressure.
"Everyone, I have already explained the situation. There is a huge uproar online, so the higher-ups have decided to formally accept the Americans' invitation to participate in this competition."
"This competition is divided into home and away games. The competition for China will be held at Tsinghua and Peking Universities. Now we will move on to the next topic: how to select five participants?"
The speaker was a leader from the Ministry of Education, who was also under immense pressure this time.
After all, the Ministry of Education was originally only a domestic governing body, and it never expected that it would be involved in foreign affairs this time.
"I think we should hold a competition on an ad-hoc basis. It can be held in universities across the country, and the five students with the best scores can represent the country in this competition."
A university president sitting in the corner suggested.
But his words were immediately refuted by President Xu of Long University of Science and Technology.
"I'm afraid there won't be enough time. The American home game is in two weeks, right? There's simply not enough time to prepare for the game."
The principals of Tsinghua and Peking Universities also shook their heads and said, "That's right, and don't forget, this competition is not like the Mathematical Olympiad, which is just a simple problem-solving competition. The five students also have to create their own questions, and the difficulty and depth of the questions are also part of the assessment. Those students who can only solve problems will be of no use."
In the end, it was the leaders of the Ministry of Education who made the final decision: "How about letting each school make its own recommendations?"
"After the recommended list is released, should we ask a few academicians to make a selection?"
The representatives from out-of-town universities present and attending the meeting had no objections to the leader's proposal.
And so the matter was decided.
When the meeting adjourned, Mr. Wang and Principal Xu left the venue side by side.
"Professor Wang, shall we hand over the list here to your Institute of Mathematical Sciences?"
"Sure, I'll have them pick out a few good prospects..."
Old Wang paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "However, Little Xu, I do have someone I'd like to recommend..."
Before Mr. Wang could finish speaking, Principal Xu had already guessed what he meant.
"Old Wang, are you perhaps considering recommending Lin Chen?"
Seeing that Elder Wang nodded, Principal Xu hesitated for a moment before speaking:
“Mr. Wang, Lin Chen is indeed a genius, but he’s only a freshman, right? I know you think highly of him, so it’s no problem for me to recommend his name.”
"But to be honest, Lin Chen has no chance of being selected. Besides you and me, there's also Professor Wu from Tsinghua and Peking Universities. I doubt anyone would feel comfortable entrusting such a big order to a freshman!"
"After all, this competition concerns the glory of our Dragon Nation! The Americans are coming in with great force, determined to get revenge, and we simply cannot afford to lose!"
Old Wang sighed, feeling helpless.
Although he wanted to recommend Lin Chen, he also understood that Principal Xu was right.
This competition is of great importance. Lin Chen is a freshman. Even though he once represented the country and won an IMO gold medal, it is still not enough to win everyone's trust.
"These Americans are too impatient. Why couldn't this competition be held a year later?"