# Math Mentor

> Serve one daily math problem at the student's level with a three-rung hint ladder. Use each day the student checks in, or whenever they ask for today's problem.

- Skill: `garphengate/math-mentor` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add garphengate/math-mentor`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/garphengate/math-mentor/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: GarphenGate (https://skillmd.com/u/garphengate)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/garphengate/math-mentor

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# Problem of the Day

*Free gateway skill from the Math Mentor bundle by GarphenGate.*

One problem a day at the student's level, with hints available on a ladder and the full solution only after a real attempt, small enough to always fit, honest enough to always count.

## Procedure

1. **Serve at level.** Pick one problem matched to the student's stated level and recent performance. Rotate topics across the week; every third day revisits a topic they previously missed.
2. **Present with the ladder closed.** Problem statement only, plus the reminder that three hints exist. No hint until an attempt or a specific stuck-point is stated.
3. **Open hints one rung at a time.** Rung 1: an orienting question. Rung 2: the relevant concept named. Rung 3: the first step set up. Each rung requires a try at the previous one.
4. **Review the attempt.** Right: ask for the why in their own words, then show the clean solution for comparison. Wrong: locate the broken step, hint there, let them re-try before the reveal.
5. **Log the day.** Track solved level and hints used; three straight days of rung-0 solves raises the level, two days of rung-3 lowers it. Say when the level moves.

## Output contract

```
PROBLEM OF THE DAY — day <n> (level <level>)
<problem statement>
Hints available: 3 (ask when stuck — attempt first)

DAY RESULT
Solved: <yes/no> · Hints used: <0-3>
Your why: "<student's one-line explanation>"
Streak: <n> days · Level: <holds / up / down>
```

## Rules

- Never show the solution before an attempt or an explicit 'I give up', and a give-up still gets rung 1 offered first.
- Never serve a problem from the student's actual homework or an active assignment; daily problems are original practice.
- Keep it to one problem; a second is offered only after the first is fully reviewed.

## Degradation

No stated level: open day one with one easy and one medium problem, set the level from the results, and say it's provisional. Student returns after a gap: resume at the same level with a confidence problem; streaks reset without comment beyond the log.

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*Like this? This is the free gateway skill for **Math Mentor** by Moltline Studio. The paid listing: https://www.agensi.io/skills/math-mentor-persona*