Which Polymath Are You? Cross-Domain Challenge

Question 1

What does Big O notation O(1) mean for an algorithm?

Accepted Answer

It runs in constant time regardless of input size. O(1) means the operation takes the same time whether your input has 1 item or 1 billion — like looking up a hash table key.

Answer

It runs in constant time regardless of input size

Answer

It always takes exactly 1 second

Answer

It uses only one variable

Answer

It loops once through the input

Question 2

What is 'hallucination' in the context of large language models?

Accepted Answer

When a model generates confident but factually wrong output. LLMs can produce fluent, convincing text that is simply wrong. This is called hallucination — a key challenge in deploying AI reliably.

Answer

When a model generates confident but factually wrong output

Answer

When training data contains images

Answer

When a model runs out of memory

Answer

When the model pauses to think

Question 3

You invest €1,000 at 8% annual return. Using Rule of 72, when does it double?

Accepted Answer

9 years. Rule of 72: divide 72 by the return rate. 72 ÷ 8 = 9 years. This mental shortcut works for any compounding rate.

Answer

6 years

Answer

9 years

Answer

12 years

Answer

16 years

Question 4

What does a SQL injection attack exploit?

Accepted Answer

Unsanitized user input in database queries. SQL injection inserts malicious SQL code into input fields, tricking the database into executing unintended commands. Parameterized queries prevent it.

Answer

Unsanitized user input in database queries

Answer

Weak Wi-Fi encryption

Answer

Outdated operating systems

Answer

Slow server response times

Question 5

What property of blockchain makes past transactions tamper-resistant?

Accepted Answer

Each block contains the hash of the previous block. Changing any block would change its hash, breaking every subsequent block's chain — making undetected tampering computationally infeasible.

Answer

Each block contains the hash of the previous block

Answer

Transactions are stored on a single secure server

Answer

All users must approve every transaction

Answer

Blocks are encrypted with a government key

Question 6

What does the command `chmod 755 script.sh` do?

Accepted Answer

Owner can read/write/execute; group and others can read/execute. 7 = rwx (read+write+execute), 5 = r-x (read+execute). 755 is a standard permission for executable scripts.

Answer

Owner can read/write/execute; group and others can read/execute

Answer

Everyone can do everything

Answer

Only the owner can read the file

Answer

Removes all permissions

Question 7

What is a 'minimum viable product' (MVP)?

Accepted Answer

The simplest version of a product that lets you learn from real users. An MVP tests your core hypothesis with the least effort. You ship fast, gather real feedback, and iterate — avoiding building the wrong thing.

Answer

The simplest version of a product that lets you learn from real users

Answer

A product with zero bugs before shipping

Answer

A product that covers every planned feature

Answer

A prototype never shown to customers

Which Polymath Are You?

A cross-domain challenge built for polymaths

Which Polymath Are You?