THE solution by an eighth grader from Shenzhen to a math question by Wei Dongyi, a researcher from Peking University and gold medalist of the International Mathematical Olympiad, stood out from nearly 100 solutions to be selected as a good reference, Shenzhen Evening News reported yesterday.

Wang Yixiao is the only middle school student whose solution was selected for good reference. There are a total of three answers selected as good references. The other two were provided by university students.

Wei spoke highly of Wang’s answer. According to Wei, there is only one clue to the question.

Wang expressed his excitement at having his solution selected, the News report said.

“My teacher Ruan Zhongnan reposted an inequality question published by Peking University to me and encouraged me to submit answers,” Wang said.

“When I first saw that it is a question from Wei, I originally thought that the question would be super difficult and must have no clues. But after a simple identity transformation, I formed a relatively obvious conclusion,” said the middle schooler. “When I went home at noon, I wrote out the process in detail, and I was very excited to work on the question given by teacher Wei Dongyi.”

Wang was very happy to have his answer praised by Wei and appreciated the recognition. He thanked his school, Shenzhen Middle School, for cultivating students’ independent thinking ability and providing a good learning environment and also thanked all teachers for their help.

Wang said that “the road ahead is still very long, I still have many shortcomings, but I will continue to work hard.”

Ruan said that interest is the best teacher. Wang’s strong interest in algebra-related knowledge together with his algebraic reasoning ability and curiosity for exploration are the most important internal motivation to learn mathematics, according to Ruan, who believed Wang’s heartfelt love for and persistence in mathematics will enable him to achieve success.

Wang’s head teacher Xin Tong also said that Wang is talented and at the same time very diligent.

“We encourage students to do things they love and hope Wang could maintain his love for mathematics,” Xin said.

(Wang Jingli)