Mathodology Modeling Prompts

Use the following questions in whatever order the task needs. They are prompts for reasoning, not mandatory stages or files.

Understand the problem

What decision is the reader trying to make? What is given, unknown or required? Which mechanisms must the solution represent? Check the actual contest rules when applicable, including deadline, page limits and AI-use requirements.

Formulate a model

Start with a useful baseline. Define variables, units, assumptions, constraints and the objective. Compare plausible alternatives when there is a real choice; do not invent extra models to meet a quota. Explain why the added complexity changes the answer. Check identifiability, data requirements and limiting cases.

Challenge the result