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I have been noticing that user JayJuly has posted multiple questions of the form:

I am looking for the fastest way to calculate ... given only a few minutes ...

Such as Calculate $\int_0^1\ln{(\sqrt{1+x}+\sqrt{1-x})}dx$

Are these questions consider on-topic? To me, such questions seem to fall under "mindless social fun", though the line is not so cut and dry.

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    $\begingroup$ Perhaps it's worth mentioning that the question explicitly mentions that the question is from Integration Bee. (At least the linked question; I did not check other posts by the same OP.) That explains the reason why they are interested also in quick solution. (Various users have different requirements on a post - personally, if the OP added some link to problems from such a contest where this integral is listed, that would count as sufficient context in my book.) $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 3, 2017 at 10:39

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Definitely doesn't seem to be mindless social fun to me. If someone were to derive fun out of finding quick solutions/approaches to math problems, it shouldn't count as mindless :) The answers to such questions should hint the approach rather than solve it completely for the user. Eg: Use trig substitution, use Laplace transform etc. That way, one can engage with the member meaningfully without solving his/her homework. Your hint in the comment seems perfectly adequate (though I can't comment on its accuracy).

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  • $\begingroup$ My hints actually referred to the original post, which was not what the OP had intended. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 3, 2017 at 0:02

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