- #36
pivoxa15
- 2,255
- 1
matt grime said:What utter BS.
What is BS?
matt grime said:What utter BS.
matt grime said:What utter BS.
leon1127 said:BS do not necessory mean bullcrap. When my teacher tell me to BS on the test, that means to "Be Specific".
leon1127 said:BS do not necessory mean bullcrap. When my teacher tell me to BS on the test, that means to "Be Specific".
sherlockjones said:I always thought that the volumes of revolution, solids of revolution and graphical stuff in calculus were difficult.
NeutronStar said:I think what make any area of mathematics difficult is when you have a poor teacher, or poor textbooks if you are attempting to self-learn. I've had far too many mathematics instructors who either, simply didn't know their subject very well, or they were lousy teachers, or in the absolute worse case they actually got a kick out of making it vague and difficult. On the other hand, when you find a teacher who genuinely knows what they are talking about, knows how to teach, and has a sincere interest in making it understandable to the student, then it becomes amazingly easy!
NeutronStar said:Another thing to consider also is having a solid understanding of the proper prerequisites. If a person tries to move on to some advanced mathematics without having a solid understanding of the foundational concepts of course it's going to be difficult for them. On the other hand, if they really have a good handle on the foundational concepts, they really shouldn't have all that much difficulty with the more advanced concepts.
NeutronStar said:What makes mathematics hard for the general public is the way that it is taught. It's not really the problem of the masses. It's the problem of the educational institutions for not making it easier and more interesting to understand. I love math, yet I found many math courses that I have taken to be utterly boring and difficult simply because of very poor forms of pedagogy.
I blame the school systems almost entirely for the general public's phobia of mathematics. Mathematics really isn't all that hard. Educational institutions just make it seem that way.
mathwonk said:i guess hard has several meanings, like there are hard open research problems, or the basic stuff is just hard to learn. the latter, i.e. hard to learn, is definitely related to the skill of your teacher.
mathwonk said:your predicament poses several questions: like did you go intyo the second cousre before amstering the first course? and were you prepared for the first course?>
buzzmath said:What exactly are you talking about? Do you want to know what class or what area of research has the reputation as being the most difficult? I think all areas of mathematical research have the same difficulty level. However, some classes have the reputation of being the most difficult. The mojority of students I talk to say they think that real analysis is the most difficult. I personally find abstract algebra harder. It all depends on the person I guess.
pivoxa15 said:Definitely and I think the only way to get around it is practising. Do many problems which contain the terminologies.
The sciences may be a bit easier to get use to than maths because it is more intuitive since we live in a physical world, not a mathematical world. At the moment I am reading an intro chemistry book and is very pleased with the layout because on every page it leaves some space for definition of the terminology used on that page. A book like this may be what you are looking for.
The most challenging branches of mathematics are typically considered to be abstract algebra, topology, and analysis. These areas involve complex concepts and require a strong foundation in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving.
While some branches of mathematics may be more challenging for certain individuals, it is generally accepted that all areas of mathematics require a high level of critical thinking and dedication. Ultimately, the difficulty of a particular branch may depend on an individual's strengths and interests.
Some topics that are often considered to be particularly challenging include abstract algebraic structures, such as groups and fields, as well as advanced calculus and differential equations. However, the perceived difficulty of a topic can vary greatly among individuals.
The complexity and difficulty of a particular branch of mathematics may be due to the abstract nature of its concepts, the level of mathematical maturity required, or the amount of background knowledge needed to fully understand it. Additionally, some areas may be more challenging because they are relatively new or have not been extensively studied.
To overcome the challenges of studying difficult areas of mathematics, it is important to have a strong foundation in the fundamentals, practice regularly, and seek help from peers or a mentor when needed. It can also be helpful to break down complex concepts into smaller, more manageable parts and to approach problems from multiple perspectives.