Questions related to the teaching and learning of mathematics.
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167 views
How does one best balance learning from a “problem based book” with supplementary material?
We all know that when learning math, one has to do more than just simply read - one must try to solve problems and work actively with the material.
Many books try to force the reader to participate ...
5
votes
3answers
87 views
Example for a simple game of chance where the average value converges fast to the expected value
I want to introduce the concept of expected value (for a discrete random variable, finite case) in a high school class. My first idea was to start with a simple game of chance and let the students ...
5
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2answers
236 views
Personal advice ragarding Qualifying Exams
I am a Graduate student in Mathematics and in second Year.
I have three qualifying exams in topics
Abstract algebra, Real and Complex
Analysis and Algebraic and differential topology.I already
...
5
votes
1answer
329 views
Quickest way to understand Kruskal's Tree Theorem
I came across the Kruskal Tree Theorem the other day and thought it looked pretty interesting (especially the stronger finite form due to Friedman). I'm currently a first year mathematics ...
5
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1answer
268 views
Links to interesting metaphors for problematic aspects of mathematics education
Can you give references to articles/books that contain interesting metaphors for what is wrong in mathematics education from the point of view of mathematicians?
An example for what I am searching:
...
5
votes
1answer
258 views
What is the expected mathematical repertoire of a Ph.D. program applicant?
I am an undergraduate (currently a sophomore) studying to prepare for applying to a Ph.D. program in mathematics. I have thus far structured my course selection upon the advice of a friend I met ...
5
votes
2answers
160 views
Next Step in Mathematics Education
I'm not sure that this is the appropriate forum for this question but the snooping around that I've don of the site makes me feel as if I'll get solid advice. I'm currently finishing an introductory ...
5
votes
2answers
258 views
How can I find videos of mathematics at graduate level, especially on linear algebraic groups
I am studying mathematics by myself, and I find it very helpful to watch online course videos.
There are many such videos on undergraduate courses, such as elementary calculus, abstract algebra, ...
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0answers
73 views
Proof vs Practice
I've been brushing up on a lot of basic arithmetic, algebra, and logic as I work towards a review of calculus (and beyond), and I keep noticing that in order to fully understand many principles in the ...
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0answers
108 views
Bayes analysis as used in a Presidential Election - with calculations shown
Can you show all the steps needed for a Bayesian probability progression as new information is received. As an example, initial estimate for Obama to win (popular vote) is 55%. In state-A, Democrats ...
5
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0answers
242 views
Studying quantum mechanics without physics background
I am a first year PhD math student, and I am wondering if I should study quantum mechanics even though I don't have an undergrad background in physics.
I posted this question in physics ...
5
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0answers
152 views
Starting my nephew out on the journey to higher mathematics.
My nephew is 8 years old and shows great promise as a student. Sadly, as most of you know most programs in secondary education don't offer any foundational courses for higher mathematics. What ...
4
votes
2answers
553 views
Alternatives to arxiv
I am an amateur mathematician (but I do have degree's in computer science (with mathematics)). Anyways, I have written this paper, where I have proved that for $\zeta(\rho) = 0$ if $\Im(\rho) \to ...
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7answers
1k views
Best Cities for Mathematical Study
This may sound silly, but... Suppose an aspiring amateur mathematician wanted to plan to move to another city...
What are some cities that are home to some of the largest number of the brightest ...
4
votes
5answers
817 views
What's wrong with me? [closed]
Over the past few days I have been pondering about this: I enjoy technical things (like programming and stuff) and try to find the patterns and algorithms in everything. My life is number oriented. ...
4
votes
8answers
440 views
Studying Math, All Over Again
I am 16 and never really paid attention to math. For me it was just one more obstacle in passing the exams.
Now that I study computers, mostly on my own, I find that there is indeed a need for me to ...
4
votes
4answers
278 views
What are the prerequisites for taking introductory abstract algebra?
I am a maths student in my second year of university. I have taken and done quite well in Calculus I, II, III as well as a linear algebra (application focused) class. I have not worked much with ...
4
votes
3answers
321 views
What makes a good mathematician?
A soft question but I believe important to help get maturity in maths.
Not until I got admitted to a graduate applied math program that I started to learn math. Before that, I was a life science ...
4
votes
2answers
303 views
Study program for algebra for an math-phobic person
I have a female friend (Mid 20's) who wants to get an associates degree, who has an absolute phobia of math, and algebra in particular. I'm trying to find a good program that can help her to study ...
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8answers
3k views
Where to go after calculus?
Ok this is a bit of an unanswerable question, but hopefully someone will answer. As I have been going through college & high school there has been a kind of "path" through which you learn math. ...
4
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3answers
203 views
Should I try to change the way Abstract Algebra is taught at my university? If so, how?
[This (soft) question should be Community Wiki.]
Background:
A year ago, I did a one-semester long course on Abstract Algebra at my university. When we started, I was excited, because I knew the ...
4
votes
4answers
305 views
What is the best base to use?
When I typed this question in google I found this link: http://octomatics.org/ Just from the graphic point of view: this system seems to be easier (when he explains that you can overlap the line). He ...
4
votes
5answers
267 views
Math book for an eager learner with non-mathematical background
I was reading answers to How do you explain the concept of logarithm to a five year old?
and realized that I really don't understand mathematics. Okay, I lied when I said that I had no mathematical ...
4
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3answers
83 views
Statistics Workshop for High School Students
We are going to hold an introductory workshop about the statistics. The participants will be students who have just finished their 8th or 9th grade. The workshop consists of 10 two-hour sessions. The ...
4
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3answers
169 views
participation in 1st year introductory pure maths classes
I have just started teaching a very elementary class for 1st year students on introductory pure mathematics. ( classes at my institution are groups up to 20 students and supplement the lectures. The ...
4
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3answers
579 views
Do you need real analysis to understand complex analysis?
I'm debating whether I should take a course, in complex analysis (using Bak as a text). I've already taken Munkres level topology and "very light" real analysis (proving the basic theorems about ...
4
votes
1answer
359 views
Is it ever really Pi Time?
Walking with my son at 3:14pm the other day, I mentioned to him, "Hey, it's Pi Time". My son knows 35 digits of $\pi$ (don't ask), and knows that it's transcendental. He replied, "is it exactly ...
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1answer
103 views
Riddles involving Truth Tables
I'm looking for a simple riddle I can use to introduce the concept of a truth table.
Thanks
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4answers
242 views
Preparing for the Mathematical Contest in Modeling
The Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) is coming up in a couple of weeks. With the idea that the competition is ultimately about teaching students to become better at mathematical modeling, I was ...
4
votes
3answers
196 views
Does learning logic and set theory before arithmetic, algebra, and geometry have an advantage?
I'd like to become conversant in a wide variety of serious mathematics, but i'm currently one of those students who did very poorly on mathematical subjects in school, never completing even basic ...
4
votes
1answer
118 views
Skip count “starting at one”
My daughter is taking a second grade math class and they are learning to "skip count" I am guessing this means to count by [n]. The directions say "Start at 1. Skip count by 2." and the worksheet has ...
4
votes
2answers
235 views
Is there a online reference that chains mathematical knowledge from simple to complex?
I'm a very, very logical person -- but I've never taken any math classes; really, I know.
So, on that note -- how do I teach myself math? As my question might suggest, I see the answer as being an ...
4
votes
3answers
302 views
Need good material on multifractal analysis
I'm searching for some good reading material on multifractal analysis. Preferably something accessible that doesn't put the stress too much on mathematical proofs but rather on applications. As long ...
4
votes
1answer
270 views
Mathematics Graduate Student Summer Opportunities
I am currently a mathematics graduate student at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. I am looking for some kind of summer opportunity to participate in during summer 2011.
Does anyone ...
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3answers
671 views
What is the most effective way of teaching mathematics to my 7 year old kid?
I want to help my kid excel in Math. I can see she has some trouble with additions,subtraction, multiplication and division.
Will it help if I let her memorize the multiplication table? or use ...
4
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3answers
439 views
Advice for choosing an MSc or PhD.
I have recently graduated from the University of Warwick with a 1st Class in my Master of Mathematics(MMath) degree and would really like to continue my education in mathematics by doing a PhD.
The ...
4
votes
1answer
181 views
Request for “Nice” Papers in i) Differential Geometry ii)Analysis iii)Topology, to Go Over
Everyone:
I am a little frustrated with the progress in my bottom-up learning process, and I think I might get better results by doing some more top-down, i.e., by reading and trying to make sense of ...
4
votes
1answer
127 views
Flexible distance learning Mathematics programme
I am looking for a flexible Mathematics degree programme from a reputable institution.
By flexible here I mean:
Able to take the programme at one's own pace
The option to complete the programme at ...
4
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3answers
407 views
The elementary coordinate geometry of polynomials? Of rational expressions? Of radicals?
With a few colleagues, we're trying to design an (intermediate) algebra course (US terminology) where we stress the interplay between algebra and geometry. The algebraic topics we would like to cover ...
4
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0answers
130 views
Self-study Real analysis Tao or Rudin?
The reference requests for analysis books have become so numerous as to blot out any usefulness they could conceivably have had. So here come another one.
Recently I've began to learn real analysis ...
4
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1answer
89 views
Proof of existence of the number of solutions
I'm not sure how to tag this question, as I don't know what area of math covers these problems.
For example, I know two or three ways of proving that
$$
S=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}p^{k}=\frac{1}{1-p}
$$
...
4
votes
0answers
297 views
The difference between 10 and 9.99999 … (recurring) [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Does .99999… = 1?
At supper today my daughter was discussing her maths (she's 13) - she had been studying putting decimal numbers into what she called standard ...
3
votes
5answers
257 views
how to explain that Prob[heads, tails] = 2 * Prob[heads, heads] to a student?
I throw two coins (simultaneously). A student (very much a beginner in both math and probability theory) thought that the following 3 outcomes are equally likely: "two heads", "two tails", "a head and ...
3
votes
3answers
500 views
What is the importance of determinants in linear algebra?
In some literature on linear algebra determinants play a critical role and are emphasized in the earlier chapters. (See books by Anton & Rorres, and Lay). However in other literature it is totally ...
3
votes
3answers
385 views
The Importance Of Good Teachers and Guidance In the Academics
I'm a first year student for a math degree. I'm very curious on how good students overcome their bad teachers in the journey of learning and grasping the courses material fully, all in the pressure of ...
3
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3answers
242 views
Is there any physical analogy to explain multiplication by zero?
This is targeted for elementary kids. One way to think is that add any number to itself zero times... Just wondering if there is a better way...
3
votes
2answers
394 views
Grad degree that mainly deals with probability/game theory/optimization?
I'm currently working but am going to take classes as a non-degree student to beef up the math part of my background.
I've only taken calc 1-3, ODEs, linear algebra, logic, and decision theory so my ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
Masters in Actuarial Science
I am applying to a grad school for the Masters in Actuarial Science. Now i am getting cold feet.
I do love math, i was always good in math (not excellent or a genius). Did all adv. calculus classes ...
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2answers
357 views
How should I teach a high school student about inverse functions?
Today I tried to teach a high school student about inverse functions. I gave him this problem and defined the parts that he didn't understand:
Let
$f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$, $x \mapsto ...
3
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3answers
95 views
Where can I find math plans for US primary / secondary education?
I'd really like to have an overview of how math is being studied in US. I would love to see how it compares to primary / secondary education in Europe (ex Yugoslav countries).
TIA
