I Passed My Master's Qualifier - Dave K

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around Dave K's announcement of passing his Master's qualifier in mathematics, celebrating this achievement and discussing related topics in topology and mathematical concepts. The conversation includes personal anecdotes, mnemonic devices, and humorous exchanges about the nature of topology.

Discussion Character

  • Celebratory, Meta-discussion, Conceptual clarification, Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Dave K expresses excitement about earning a Master's in mathematics and reflects on the time spent studying.
  • Some participants congratulate Dave and share their own experiences with mathematical concepts, particularly Hausdorff spaces and separation axioms.
  • A mnemonic involving Hausdorff spaces is discussed, with some participants noting its usefulness in recalling complex definitions.
  • There are humorous exchanges about topology, including playful definitions and comparisons to other fields, such as numerology.
  • Participants share personal anecdotes related to topology and knot theory, adding a lighthearted tone to the discussion.
  • One participant expresses frustration with the college system's requirements for graduation, highlighting challenges faced by students.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on celebrating Dave's achievement, but there are varying interpretations and humorous takes on the nature of topology and its complexities. The discussion remains light-hearted and exploratory without reaching a consensus on the definitions or applications of the mathematical concepts mentioned.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the complexity and variability in the definitions of separation axioms, indicating a lack of uniformity in understanding these concepts. Additionally, there are references to personal experiences that may not align with formal academic definitions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and enthusiasts of mathematics, particularly those studying topology or preparing for advanced mathematics qualifications. It may also appeal to those looking for a community perspective on academic achievements and challenges.

dkotschessaa
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Holy bleeping bleepity bleep bleep!

I now will have a Master's in mathematics - and a lot of extra time (for my family of course).

-Dave K
 
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@fresh_42 Would you believe the phrase, "Normally, on a regular basis we require at least Hausdorff spaces" (a mnemonic you created during a conversation of ours) was actually instrumental in me sorting out the questions? (Well, I suppose it changed slightly over time, but the principle is there).
 
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Congrats! :smile:
 
dkotschessaa said:
Would you believe the phrase, "Normally, on a regular basis we require at least Hausdorff spaces" (a mnemonic you created during a conversation of ours I can't find) was actually instrumental in me sorting out the questions?
Not really, but since I've read about Hausdorff's fate, he has a special place in my heart (mind). I have used Hausdorff spaces as others use the terms linear transformations or conservative forces. But his personal fate stroke me and I never used it again without thinking of it.
I'm not very good at memorizing the separation axioms, the more as there are sometimes slightly different uses: with or without Hausdorff, special names instead of T0 -T5, plus the ones in between. A chaos which I'm glad it can be looked up on Wikipedia meanwhile. So I probably invented the mnemonic to get me through this corresponding thread.
 
Congratulations!
 
fresh_42 said:
Not really, but since I've read about Hausdorff's fate, he has a special place in my heart (mind). I have used Hausdorff spaces as others use the terms linear transformations or conservative forces. But his personal fate stroke me and I never used it again without thinking of it.
I'm not very good at memorizing the separation axioms, the more as there are sometimes slightly different uses: with or without Hausdorff, special names instead of T0 -T5, plus the ones in between. A chaos which I'm glad it can be looked up on Wikipedia meanwhile. So I probably invented the mnemonic to get me through this corresponding thread.

Yes, you made it up 'on demand' during the thread.

During my course of study, if I had a question like "show that a metrizable space is normal" or "Locally compact Hausdorff is regular" it would take me half a second to go "Ok, which one is ____ again?"

so between that mnemonic and this visual:

200px-Separation_axioms_illustrated.png

(although for me it goes the other way around)

I was able to sort things out.
 
Saved, and yes, these ones should be memorized. But don't ask me about a Urysohn or Kolmogoroff space. You know, my secret favor is Zariski, nothing topologists want to deal with.
 
Congratulations!
 
  • #10
Congrats Dave!
 
  • #11
fresh_42 said:
Saved, and yes, these ones should be memorized. But don't ask me about a Urysohn or Kolmogoroff space. You know, my secret favor is Zariski, nothing topologists want to deal with.

I glanced at a chapter on the Zariski topology briefly when going through one book. Wrote a bunch of stuff on my whiteboard. I left it up there for about a week and stared at it. My neighbor was over once and saw it and was very impressed. I erased it then. I don't remember what it was about.
 
  • #12
Congratulations. Great job!
:partytime:
 
  • #13
To those who are about to Topologize, We Salute You!
 
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  • #14
Congratulations!
 
  • #15
Congratulations on a tremendous feat. Topology is one of the coolest things ever to me (maybe because I haven't studied it, resulted in bashing my head into my desk).
 
  • #16
fresh_42 said:
Not really, but since I've read about Hausdorff's fate, he has a special place in my heart (mind). I have used Hausdorff spaces as others use the terms linear transformations or conservative forces. But his personal fate stroke me and I never used it again without thinking of it.
I'm not very good at memorizing the separation axioms, the more as there are sometimes slightly different uses: with or without Hausdorff, special names instead of T0 -T5, plus the ones in between. A chaos which I'm glad it can be looked up on Wikipedia meanwhile. So I probably invented the mnemonic to get me through this corresponding thread.
Seems like someone doing Algebra can get by without Topology than viceversa, maybe entirely.
 
  • #17
WWGD said:
Seems like someone doing Algebra can get by without Topology than viceversa, maybe entirely.
I didn't want to mention it. One reason is, because I might have told it already somewhere here on PF, and the second, that it might not belong on @dkotschessaa's party (although I likely would have told it, if we were at an actual party and we stood in the kitchen with a beer). But now that you challenged me.

Three friends of mine and me once decided to go to a casino on a Saturday night. Ties are mandatory here at these locations. When I'd parked my car and walked over to the other three, only me and one other had tied their ties. He had asked someone on the street to do it for him. The pun is not, that I had to tie two more ties, the pun is, they were all topologists, specialized in knot theory!
 
  • #18
fresh_42 said:
I didn't want to mention it. One reason is, because I might have told it already somewhere here on PF, and the second, that it might not belong on @dkotschessaa's party (although I likely would have told it, if we were at an actual party and we stood in the kitchen with a beer). But now that you challenged me.

Three friends of mine and me once decided to go to a casino on a Saturday night. Ties are mandatory here at these locations. When I'd parked my car and walked over to the other three, only me and one other had tied their ties. He had asked someone on the street to do it for him. The pun is not, that I had to tie two more ties, the pun is, they were all topologists, specialized in knot theory!
Right, sorry, Dave, for OT posting on your thread. I guess you tied the tie of all those that do not tied it themselves. Was one of them called Russell? Maybe a barber? But you're right, knot theory does not(knot?) take up after real-life knots.
 
  • #19
WWGD said:
Right, sorry, Dave, for OT posting on your thread. I guess you tied the tie of all those that do not tied it themselves. Was one of them called Russell? Maybe a barber? But you're right, knot theory does not(knot?) take up after real-life knots.

No problem at all! It's a lounge thread! I like when people lounge about on my lounge threads. Sometimes I post stuff just as an excuse to have a conversation with people here.

-Dave K
 
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  • #20
dkotschessaa said:
I now will have a Master's in mathematics
congrats Dave ... all the hard work paid off :)

now fore the PhD :wink::wink::biggrin:Dave
 
  • #21
dkotschessaa said:
I PASSED MY QUALIFIER!

-Dave K
:gradcap: .. :thumbup:
dkotschessaa said:
...is normal...
Is normal... ? ? ?

Knot a thing about any of that stuff is normal... any place. .. :oldgrumpy: .. :biggrin:
 
  • #22
Congratulations!

EDIT:
By the way, what is topology? Is it like numerology, but only using very large numbers? :biggrin:
 
  • #23
Congrats, Dave!
DennisN said:
By the way, what is topology?
It's the study of the upper halves of things. From the Greek top, meaning "upper half" and logos, meaning "knowledge".
 
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  • #24
Ibix said:
Congrats, Dave!
It's the study of the upper halves of things. From the Greek top, meaning "upper half" and logos, meaning "knowledge".

Or the study of things that are mostly over one's head...
 
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  • #25
Ibix said:
Congrats, Dave!
It's the study of the upper halves of things. From the Greek top, meaning "upper half" and logos, meaning "knowledge".
Or the study of notoriously pathological objects. I mean, Cantor = singer. Probably the Mariah Carey of sets.
 
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  • #26
Son of a bleepity bleep.

In order to graduate I must be enrolled in at least 2 credits worth of classes.
In order to to pay for those two credits I'll need financial aid.
In order to be eligible for financial aid I'll need to take at least four credits.
I work full time.

Our college system is so broke!
 
  • #27
good job
 
  • #28
fresh_42 said:
Or the study of notoriously pathological objects. I mean, Cantor = singer. Probably the Mariah Carey of sets.
Just saw Edward Munch's painting as I read your post : https://www.edvardmunch.org/the-scream.jsp . He may have been reading up on Canto's set.
 
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  • #29
I've once had a keyring pendant (I hope Google translate is correct here) formed as The Cry. :biggrin:
 
  • #30
fresh_42 said:
I've once had a keyring pendant (I hope Google translate is correct here) formed as The Cry. :biggrin:
Ditto for my driver's license picture.
 
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