Smith wrote to Hermite who then realised that the Academy of Sciences had blundered by setting a problem which had already been solved. Hermite asked Smith if he would cooperate in trying not to make the Academy look foolish, and simply submit a solution to the Grand Prix question.
Smith wrote sa Hermite na pagkatapos ay realised na ang Academy of Sciences had blundered sa pamamagitan ng pagtatakda ng isang problema na kung saan ay na-lutas. Hermite nagtanong Smith kung siya ay makikipagtulungan sa sinusubukan hindi na gumawa ng Academy hitsura luka-luka, at i-submit ang isang solusyon na ang grand pri katanungan.