This is the 12599th most frequent German word.
weitem
"Weitem" is the dative form of "weit" and means "by far" or "far" in English, often used in comparative expressions.
In this sentence, 'bei weitem' is used to indicate a comparison or emphasis, strengthening the statement that the solution is the best.
Das ist bei weitem die beste Lösung.
This is by far the best solution.
Here, 'von weitem' denotes a physical distance from which something is perceived or observed.
Von weitem konnte ich das Schloss sehen.
From a distance, I could see the castle.
In this case, 'weitem' is part of a comparative expression emphasizing a lower degree, highlighting the difference in mathematical skill.