Math Modeling Contest

Math Modeling Contest Agent

Use this skill as a contest-solving workflow, not as a generic writing prompt. The agent must keep claims, numbers, code, figures, and paper text traceable to upstream artifacts.

First Decision

Before doing any work, decide which route applies.

Manual mode is the default for serious contest work. Autopilot is allowed only when the user explicitly asks for full automatic execution.

Friendly Mode

For Manual mode, reduce the user's workload. Key decisions should be presented as numbered options, not as requests to edit JSON, run shell commands, or understand the whole pipeline.

Use numbered questions for:

• contest type and problem number
• available files and missing attachments
• model route selection
• whether to refine, continue, or stop at a gate
• paper route: new Markdown-to-DOCX or in-place DOCX revision

Every numbered decision should include a safe default such as "let the agent decide, recommended". If the user chooses the default, proceed with the most conservative high-quality option and record the decision.

One-Sentence Startup Prompt

When a user asks how to invoke the skill, suggest:

Please use the math-modeling-contest skill to solve my uploaded contest problem in Manual checkpoint mode. First read the problem and attachments, split all subproblems, inspect the data, propose 2-3 candidate models for each subproblem, build the dependency DAG, and wait for my confirmation before writing code or the paper.

For Chinese users, suggest:

请使用 math-modeling-contest skill 以 Manual checkpoint 模式处理我上传的数学建模赛题。请先读取题目和附件，拆解每一问，检查数据，给每一问提出 2-3 个候选模型，建立问题依赖 DAG，并在我确认路线后再写代码和论文。

Collaboration Roles

Keep the work organized as three cooperating roles. They are not separate agents unless the environment supports that; they are responsibility boundaries.

Role handoff rule: the next role may start only after the previous role leaves enough artifacts for traceability. Paper writing cannot start from memory; it must start from frozen results and a claim-evidence map.

State And Decision Log

For multi-turn or long contest work, maintain a lightweight state file in the user's workspace when practical:

state/decision_log.json

Track at least:

• contest type, problem number, mode, current gate, and deadline
• files received and files still missing
• model choices accepted/rejected and why
• frozen result file paths
• stale downstream artifacts after code/data changes
• user decisions at Manual checkpoints

Do not ask the user to manually edit this file. Update it yourself when creating or changing artifacts. If no state file exists, summarize the same fields in the chat after each gate.

Competition Profile

Adjust defaults by competition:

For Chinese competitions, use Chinese figure/table labels and concise formal Chinese. For MCM/ICM, use English labels and keep the writing argument-first.

Depth Mode

Choose a work depth from the user's deadline and intent:

Manual mode and depth mode are independent: Manual controls checkpoint style; depth controls how much review and iteration to spend.

Canonical Workflow

Follow these gates in order for a new contest solution. Do not write the paper before verified results exist.

1. G1 Problem Parsed

   • Identify contest type, language, deliverables, uploaded files, and deadlines.
   • Split each subproblem into inputs, outputs, constraints, objectives, metrics, and dependencies.
   • Produce a question dependency DAG. Mark which tasks can run in parallel.

2. G2 Method Validated

   • For each subproblem, propose at least two candidate methods.
   • Compare assumptions, data needs, strengths, weaknesses, and failure modes.
   • Run a minimal PoC or baseline before selecting a complex model.

3. G3 Code Reviewed

   • Use reproducible scripts with explicit input/output paths and fixed seeds where relevant.
   • Save intermediate artifacts: cleaned data, parameters, run logs, result tables, and figure sources.
   • Never invent values. Every reported number must trace back to code, data, or a stated derivation.

4. G4 Results Frozen

   • Freeze final numbers, tables, and figures before paper writing.
   • If code, data, or parameters change, mark downstream text/figures stale and refreeze results.
   • Use scripts/frozen_numbers.py when helpful.

5. G5 Paper Section Ready

   • Write from artifacts, not memory.
   • Use Markdown as the source draft for new papers.
   • Every model chapter must include variables, assumptions, formulas, solving steps, results, and interpretation.
   • Every important result should include at least three of: baseline comparison, robustness/sensitivity, uncertainty/error analysis, domain meaning, and cross-subproblem consistency.

6. G6 Audit Layer Passed

   • Check data provenance, formula consistency, statistical validity, citations, unsupported claims, figure/table references, and DOCX rendering.
   • Use the review/audit scripts when available.
   • Deliver only after the audit issues are fixed or explicitly disclosed.

Content Length Rule

The total paper has a hard floor of 9,000 substantive Chinese characters for Chinese contests. There is no artificial upper limit and no fixed target length.

If the draft is below the floor, expand only evidence-bearing content:

• derivations and variable definitions
• baseline comparisons
• robustness and sensitivity analysis
• uncertainty or error analysis
• data preprocessing details
• figure/table D-A-C interpretation
• limitations grounded in actual results

Never pad with generic background, repeated problem statements, empty significance claims, or unsupported prose.

Paper Generation

For a new paper:

1. Build a complete Markdown draft.
2. Use display math with $$...$$ and inline math with $...$.
3. Use figure placeholders such as [FIGURE: fig1.png | Figure 1 Title].
4. Put table captions immediately before Markdown tables.
5. Generate DOCX with:

python scripts/build_docx.py draft.md output.docx

Do not use Pandoc as the primary DOCX route. scripts/build_docx.py is responsible for:

• native editable Word equations where supported
• CUMCM-style tables
• figure insertion and captions
• SimSun/SimHei/Times New Roman formatting
• Markdown cleanup for stray *, _, links, bullets, blockquotes, and inline code markers
• hard content-floor validation

For an existing DOCX revision:

1. Inspect the current paper structure.
2. Use python-docx or scripts/edit_inplace.py to edit in place.
3. Save a new version instead of overwriting the user's original file.
4. Report what changed and where.

Figure Rules

Borrow the core logic from nature-figure: decide the communication goal before plotting.

For every figure:

• Define the claim the figure supports.
• Choose the simplest chart that makes the claim testable.
• Use readable labels, units, legends, and captions.
• Prefer multi-panel figures only when panels answer connected questions.
• Use Chinese labels for CUMCM/51MCM and English labels for MCM/ICM.
• Save source data and plotting code with the output image.
• Explain each figure using D-A-C: describe what is shown, analyze the pattern, conclude what it means for the subproblem.

Useful scripts:

• scripts/plot_figures_nature.py
• scripts/draw_image.py
• scripts/audit_figures.py
• scripts/gen_chinese_figs.py

Modeling Standards

Always prefer a baseline-first modeling path:

1. Establish a simple baseline.
2. Add the selected main model.
3. Compare the main model against the baseline.
4. Add robustness or sensitivity checks.
5. State where the model fails.

For each model, include:

• assumptions and their impact
• variables with units
• objective function or core equation
• constraints or feasible region
• solution method
• parameter sources
• computational procedure
• result interpretation

Read references/model-formulation-guide.md for deeper formulation guidance and references/robustness-guide.md for robustness checks.

Algorithm Selection

When selecting algorithms, classify the subproblem first:

Prefer combinations only when each model contributes a distinct analytical dimension. Avoid stacking models that answer the same question with different names.

Feedback Layers

Use feedback in layers instead of one giant review:

1. Local critic: check the current gate artifact against its pass criteria.
2. Backtrack check: after results or paper sections change, inspect upstream/downstream consistency.
3. Review panel: before final delivery, review from modeling, coding, writing, and skeptical perspectives.
4. Calibration check: compare claims against contest type, rubric expectations, and available evidence.

If only one issue is weak, refine that subproblem or section. Do not redo the whole workflow unless the dependency DAG shows the issue affects everything downstream.

Integrity Rules

Block delivery if any of these occur:

• fabricated data, references, experiments, or parameter values
• paper numbers not traceable to code/data/derivation
• unsupported performance claims
• stale results after code or data changes
• missing explanation for major assumptions
• figure/table captions that do not match the actual artifact
• equations that are inconsistent with code or text

Use references/integrity_gate_checklist.md and references/qa-checklist.md for detailed audits.

Scripts

Use bundled scripts instead of rewriting fragile utilities.

Read a script before modifying it. Keep edits scoped and verify with a small run whenever possible.

References To Load On Demand

Load only the reference needed for the current step.

Output Style

For Manual mode, after each gate provide:

• status: pass, needs_user_decision, needs_fix, or blocked
• artifacts: files or results created
• risks: unresolved issues
• next: the next concrete action

For Autopilot mode, continue working without asking for confirmation unless a blocking ambiguity, missing file, or integrity issue appears.

Maintenance Rules

Keep this SKILL.md concise. Put long examples, contest-specific templates, and detailed rubrics in references/. Avoid duplicated frontmatter, repeated workflow blocks, historical changelogs, and garbled text in this file.