Playfair was unsuccessful, however, finishing third out of the six candidates, behind the Reverend Dr Trail, who was appointed to the Chair, and Dr Hamilton, who succeeded him in the Chair. However Playfair, at a very young age, had proved his extraordinary talent combined with his comprehensive knowledge of mathematics.
Playfair ay nabigo, gayunpaman, ang pagtatapos ng ikatlong out ng anim na kandidato, sa likod ng kagalang-galang Dr Trail, na noon ay hihirangin upang angkinin ang Chair, at Dr Hamilton, na Tagumpay siya sa Chair. Subalit Playfair, at isang batang edad, had proved kanyang katangi-tangi talento pinagsama sa kanyang komprehensibong kaalaman sa matematika.