Tell me more ×
Mathematics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people studying math at any level and professionals in related fields. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

I’m considering the idea to solve the entire set of problems contained in the Hoffman-Kunze text. The standard results of Linear Algebra are known to me.

  1. I don’t have much time to read the textual materials. Is there any harm if I skip reading text and solve only the problems?

  2. Would, in your opinion, selecting problems arbitrarily from any part of the text to solve be a good idea?

Any suggestion will be appreciated.

share|improve this question
2  
If you're mathematically mature enough to skip reading a text and jump to solving problem, why not pursue something more challenging? For example, reading a research article and then presenting it to a group of students interested in similar areas? – Clayton Jan 12 at 6:32
7  
I find the circumstances here a bit odd. How do you not have enough time to read the text but think you will have sufficient time to do all the problems. What do you think "standard results" in linear algebra are, e.g., do you know about dual spaces? And of course the title of this post ("How to read a text") is completely orthogonal to your intentions, which is not to read the text. – KCd Jan 12 at 7:53

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote accepted

(1) No. There is no harm in attempting problems. If you solve them, that's fine. If you get stuck, you can read the text to get more background. (2) Yes. Pick any problem you like, though you may find that you make better progress by doing the earlier problems first.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.