- #1
rocomath
- 1,755
- 1
I am planning on becoming a Math major if my plans to attend a different school does not go through. I really do love math, I find it very fun to learn and the outcome/solution to some problems amaze me. My main problem is that I have huge gaps and they'ved continued to build since I am now in Calculus III. I started studying math just last summer, and it was the first time I ever took Calculus, or more importantly, took a math class seriously. I have been tutoring math for the past year, courses from Algebra to Calculus II, though only a few Calculus students come now and then. I have a decision to make on whether to take summer courses, or to use the time during the summer to continue working as a tutor to practice what I've learned and catch up on what I did not learn.
I am already self-studying material that I did not learn or learn well enough to feel satisfied, such as Geometry. A few things that really hurt me is not having been even exposed to mathematical induction, sequences & series, and simple proof writing.
Books I am currently using for self-studying:
Geometry, Peter Selby
Algebra & Functions and Graphs & Trigonometry, I. M. Gelfand
Precalculus, Cohen
Calculus, James Stewart
I also have Spivak's Calculus book, but obviously that book is too hard for me. I can get by doing some of his problems, but not the ones that ask me to prove stuff. I am very application driven, I love being able to apply the tools I've learned, but I also realize that as being a math major, I will have to face courses that are abstract and demand me to prove and disprove things. I'm a good student and highly disciplined. I'm willing to spend days/weeks on a problem before I give in and ask for help or look at my solution manual.
When I am self-studying, I re-write the proofs and even do the derivations of the formulas myself. I really want to learn math, and it has really helped me to do well in other courses. I have learned to analyze my answers more thoroughly, and overall, think logically. Math has boosted my confidence, I make less errors each day whether tutoring or doing my homework, and I know this skill is truly priceless and it will definitely carry my far into my professional career.
Am I ready to take on upper level math courses?
I am already self-studying material that I did not learn or learn well enough to feel satisfied, such as Geometry. A few things that really hurt me is not having been even exposed to mathematical induction, sequences & series, and simple proof writing.
Books I am currently using for self-studying:
Geometry, Peter Selby
Algebra & Functions and Graphs & Trigonometry, I. M. Gelfand
Precalculus, Cohen
Calculus, James Stewart
I also have Spivak's Calculus book, but obviously that book is too hard for me. I can get by doing some of his problems, but not the ones that ask me to prove stuff. I am very application driven, I love being able to apply the tools I've learned, but I also realize that as being a math major, I will have to face courses that are abstract and demand me to prove and disprove things. I'm a good student and highly disciplined. I'm willing to spend days/weeks on a problem before I give in and ask for help or look at my solution manual.
When I am self-studying, I re-write the proofs and even do the derivations of the formulas myself. I really want to learn math, and it has really helped me to do well in other courses. I have learned to analyze my answers more thoroughly, and overall, think logically. Math has boosted my confidence, I make less errors each day whether tutoring or doing my homework, and I know this skill is truly priceless and it will definitely carry my far into my professional career.
Am I ready to take on upper level math courses?
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