Chapter 16: The Homeroom Teacher Calls
Wang Qingtao saw everyone's reactions, and his emotions were quite complex; while delighted, he felt an increasing sense of regret.
He admitted it.
At first, he also believed Xu Ming's proof method was incorrect.
Only later did he realize that the boy had used the Taylor Formula, which naturally differed from the conventional solution process.
The Taylor Formula originates from Taylor's theorem in calculus, a mathematical concept typically studied at the university level. Using it to prove a high school problem could be described as shooting a mosquito with an anti-aircraft gun.
A true 'dimensional strike.'
However, most middle schools do not teach this formula in advance, and coupled with the limited resources in the county, it's very normal for students not to understand it and assume it's wrong unless they actively seek to learn it.
Only Math Olympiad students in Key High Schools in the city are required to learn these concepts beforehand.
Xu Ming had only stumbled upon it by chance and then mastered the Taylor Formula, applying it skillfully to a problem-solving question. This was enough to prove his mathematical talent.
If he had signed up for the Math Olympiad, he might genuinely have a chance to enter the National Training Team.
And secure a direct admission slot to a Key University.
But now, it was too late to say anything.
Thinking of Xu Ming's grades in his other subjects, it wouldn't be easy for him to get into a Key University solely based on his Gaokao score.
With that thought, Wang Qingtao adjusted his emotions, then looked at Xu Ming again and earnestly instructed:
"It's best not to use this method for problem-solving questions in the future, especially during the Gaokao."
"Did you get that?"
He was afraid Xu Ming would grow fond of this "game-breaking" feeling and abandon the correct high school solution methods.
Listening to his Homeroom Teacher, Xu Ming understood that the advice was for his own good.
After all, the Gaokao was not university; using university-level knowledge to solve major problems carried a relatively high risk of points being deducted, which would indirectly affect his total Gaokao score and college application choices.
Of course, this wasn't a big deal for him.
If it weren't for the sake of gaining Math Subject Experience Points by deriving the formula using high school methods, his speed in solving this problem would have been even faster.
"Understood, Teacher Wang."
Humbly accepting his Homeroom Teacher's advice, Xu Ming didn't linger and walked back to his seat.
The students in the class watched him intently, whispering among themselves.
"Xu Ming's math level has improved so fast, he even learned university-level knowledge."
"He's really amazing."
"Can someone explain to me, what is the Taylor Formula?"
...
Compared to the lively reactions in the class, Li Wenhui was currently deafeningly silent.
His heart was filled with mixed feelings.
"So Xu Ming's math score has already surpassed mine..."
During the last math practice test, even though he scored 10 points lower than Xu Ming, he didn't truly believe he had lost.
Moreover, Xu Ming took the test after the papers were handed out.
But now, with the facts laid bare, he couldn't convince himself otherwise.
He had pondered this problem for nearly ten minutes without finding a solution, whereas Xu Ming could prove it using university knowledge, and even his blackboard writing process was uninterrupted.
However, having served as class monitor for two years and being among the top five students in class, he wouldn't completely lose his composure over this.
He quickly thought of his scores in other subjects, and confidence resurfaced in his eyes.
"The Gaokao ultimately depends on the total score."
Coming back to his senses, he immediately looked up at the podium, continuing to listen attentively as Wang Qingtao elaborated on the remaining few major problems.
Qian Hong didn't wait for Xu Ming to reach him; he actively got up and made space, his face filled with admiration for his deskmate.
"So strong."
"I prefer to keep a low profile." Xu Ming gently grabbed Qian Hong's hand, a smile playing on his lips, stopping him from saying more.
Since his solution method wasn't applicable to others, Wang Qingtao still needed to re-explain it.
Therefore, he didn't want to further disrupt class discipline.
Fortunately, Qian Hong was very cooperative, sitting down with an expression that said, 'I understand.'
Xu Ming shook his head and didn't dwell on it, lowering his gaze back to his chemistry textbook, continuing to review the knowledge points within.
As time ticked by, the familiar sound of the class bell rang.
"This method, when tackling derivative problems, is a killer move; all of you must learn it."
"The remaining problems will be discussed tonight. Class dismissed for now."
Wang Qingtao dropped the chalk, folded the A4 paper, and announced class dismissed to the students.
But below, a chorus of groans rose: "Teacher, please continue."
"Dragging out class isn't my style as a teacher; you can try to do the problems on your own outside of class," Wang Qingtao said, shaking his head with a smile.
Having said that, he walked out the door.
He had become one of the most popular teachers in the school not only because his lectures were interesting, humorous, and not boring, but more importantly, he never dragged out class like other teachers, even if he had only halfway explained a problem.
Xu Ming's thoughts were interrupted by the shouts. Just as he was about to get up and stretch his limbs, his Homeroom Teacher's voice suddenly reached his ear.
"Xu Ming, come with me for a moment."
He quickly turned his head to look and saw his Homeroom Teacher standing by the window. After delivering that line, he turned and left.
"What does old class want with you now?" Qian Hong also heard it and looked at Xu Ming, asking with some confusion.
It was well known.
When Homeroom Teachers called students for a talk, it was mostly to have a heart-to-heart and encourage them to study. Qian Hong had quite a bit of experience with this.
But Xu Ming's recent study state was clear to everyone; he had just solved a problem using the Taylor Formula. By all accounts, it shouldn't have anything to do with a heart-to-heart talk.
"I don't know."
Xu Ming shook his head and replied, "Maybe it's something else."
With that, he didn't delay any further, stood up, walked out of the classroom, and strode to follow behind his Homeroom Teacher.
Just then, Yang Huijuan came over and asked, looking at Xu Ming's retreating figure, "Where's Xu Ming going?"
"Old class called him," Qian Hong casually replied.
Yang Huijuan heard this and chimed in, her expression slightly regretful.
"I wanted Xu Ming to explain that problem to Chen Lu and me again. Guess we'll have to wait until the Evening Self-Study Session."
...
The teachers' offices at the school were located in the comprehensive building on the east side, connected to the teaching building.
Xu Ming followed his Homeroom Teacher along the corridor and soon arrived inside.
At this time, teachers with classes for the next period had already gone to their classrooms, leaving few people in the office.
Wang Qingtao walked to his seat, bent down, and pulled a few textbooks from a cabinet, placing them on the desk. Then he straightened up, looked at Xu Ming, and spoke.
"Last time during the Gaokao 100-Day Sprint Pep Rally, I saw you looking at this 'Five Years' Gaokao, Three Years' Mock Exams.' The school purchased a batch for teachers as teaching materials. You can take these few for your review first."
"The second mock exam is coming up soon. Try your best to improve your scores in the other subjects so you'll have more choices when filling out your college applications for the Gaokao."
Hearing his Homeroom Teacher's words, Xu Ming felt quite touched.
He had bought one physics textbook, so he naturally knew the current price of 'Five Years' Gaokao, Three Years' Mock Exams.' He hadn't expected his Homeroom Teacher to directly give him a whole set, which would be of considerable help for his chemistry and biology review.
As for the "second mock exam" his Homeroom Teacher mentioned, Xu Ming was no stranger to it, knowing it was a city-wide unified Gaokao mock examination.
According to previous years' schedules, it was estimated to take place in late March, and its results wouldn't differ much from the actual Gaokao.
...
(End of Chapter)