Recent content by Quantum55151

True. At the same time, I still want to major in math and do physics research that is more on the mathy side. So I do want to get a solid grasp on the material.

@mathwonk Sorry for the delay in my response. I was preparing for finals. Auroux writes in the course syllabus that no formal knowledge of linear algebra, group theory or analysis is required, but a familiarity with proof-writing and abstract reasoning as well as a commitment to a fast-paced...

What I find interesting is that back in the day one would take 55 after taking a more elementary course like 11. Nowadays, 55 is only open to freshmen and so you are supposed to take it right out of high school which for many, including myself, is not an easy thing to do. Oh wow, 25 must have...

Joe told me that with regard to topology 113 will be entirely self-contained -- all the necessary topology will be covered in the course. Yes, that certainly seems to be the case according to the reviews of past students -- a lot of material covered very fast and quite superficially. Although...

Thank you so much @mathwonk for all these resources! Actually, an option that I was considering would be to simultaneously take 25b and 113 (both for credit) to get a 55-esque experience but with the material being taught at a slower pace. This has its pros and cons. 25b + 113 would probably be...

I think my mathematical maturity has definitely improved. Has it improved to the extent that I will be able to succeed in 55B? That I will have to wait and see in January. Yes, that's also a factor because I am planning on taking a physics course that is not as hard as 55 but still nontrivial.

I'm interested in high-energy theory. I don't know too much about it though, so I wouldn't be able to give you a specific area within HET.

I've actually thought about this. In fact, I took 55A for a week and then dropped (I had zero proof-writing or abstract mathematics experience and had never taking a proof-based course before, so I was just unprepared for the rigors of 55; there is hope that 55B might work out for me after a...

He says that I could definitely give 55B a try, but in his view, 55B is too superficial in its treatment of the material, especially of real analysis.

Unfortunately, one can only take 55 as a freshman, so if I take 25 in the spring, then I won't be able to take 55 the following semester. So it's a choice between 55 and 25 + the "normal" undergrad courses that cover topology and complex analysis.

Thank you for your advice!

My advisor doesn't know anything about STEM courses; she just signs off my schedule. The respective professors have given me somewhat contradictory advice: the 55B professor told me to definitely try out his course, while the 25B professor said that, while I could definitely give 55B a shot, he...

Yes, that is a very real risk and one that I fear. 25B is definitely not trivial, but after excelling in 25A, I think 25B would be quite manageable. Technically, it's an either-or. In theory, 55B is supposed to cover all of the material of 25B, so 55B is like a superset of 25B. In practice, a...

Hi everyone! I would like to get advice concerning my math course for the spring semester. For context, I am a Harvard freshman planning to double major in physics and mathematics with the long-term goal of doing research in high-energy theory and/or mathematical physics. I am currently...

I don't quite understand the "subtle point" at the end of the author's solution. Ok, let's imagine for a second that the external forces have an impact on the internal forces. How does that change the mathematical result that the two forces are equal and opposite to each other? Even if...