Is Number Theory the Black Sheep of Mathematics?

[tgt]

Anyone here who enjoys maths in general, dislikes number theory? If so why? Have a vote.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

I voted no. It's only a theory.

 

[porums]

If only both were check boxes

 

[Gokul43201]

I voted no. It's only a theory.

And it was responsible for the killing of about $\sigma_m(n)$ people, where m is the smallest odd prime and n is the smallest number for which $\sigma(n)$ and $\varphi(n)$ are squares...but then again, that's not a fact.

 

[durt]

Don't you mean numbers theories?

 

[gravenewworld]

Hated it. I thought it was one of the worst math classes I ever took.

 

[leprechaun]

I like Number Theory, but not the application of it.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Love it.

 

[tgt]

For those who voted no, state your reason.

 

[gravenewworld]

Because the HW and tests were stupid. It was basically here is the question, can you figure out the trick in order to get this question right? Once you figured out the "trick" the problem just fell apart. To me it didn't really seem like it took any step by step rationalization, it was just like the puzzle section in a Sunday newspaper.



BTW I took a grad class on number theory and passed it with an A (not trying to be pompous here), so I didn't hate number theory just because I wasn't good at it.

 

[MathematicalPhysicist]

Then you hate the course which was given, it doesn't mean that as a field you don't like it.

Solving (trying to solve) an unsolved problem in number theory is quite hard, although most of the problems are stated in such a way that even elementary school children can understand.

 

[tgt]

Because the HW and tests were stupid. It was basically here is the question, can you figure out the trick in order to get this question right? Once you figured out the "trick" the problem just fell apart. To me it didn't really seem like it took any step by step rationalization, it was just like the puzzle section in a Sunday newspaper.



BTW I took a grad class on number theory and passed it with an A (not trying to be pompous here), so I didn't hate number theory just because I wasn't good at it.

What was the course called? Was it even tricks in that grad class?

 

[praharmitra]

love it...i actually haven't gone into the full details ( not taken the course yet...) but really love it..

 

[Werg22]

I'm lukewarm about number theory. On one hand I think it's a very rich field, on the other I find it to be one of the less ambitious and "childish" branch of math.

 

[Gokul43201]

...I find it to be one of the less ambitious and "childish" branch of math.

One former Professor Hardy would be turning in his ivory tower grave if he heard that.