Math Tour: Explore Math Fields & Prepare for Grad School

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on finding a comprehensive book that covers various fields of mathematics for someone preparing for graduate studies. The recommended resource is "The Princeton Companion to Mathematics," which features short articles by experts that introduce different mathematical branches. Additionally, the paper "Ordering the Universe: The Role of Mathematics" by A. Jaffe is suggested as a valuable overview of mathematics and its applications across fields. Both resources cater to individuals with a background in calculus and proofs, making them suitable for aspiring mathematics majors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Calculus III
  • Familiarity with mathematical proofs
  • Basic knowledge of discrete mathematics
  • Interest in exploring various mathematical fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Read "The Princeton Companion to Mathematics" for an overview of mathematical disciplines
  • Study "Ordering the Universe: The Role of Mathematics" by A. Jaffe for insights into mathematics' role in various fields
  • Explore advanced topics in discrete mathematics to deepen understanding
  • Research graduate programs in mathematics to identify areas of specialization
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics majors, graduate school candidates, and anyone interested in exploring diverse fields of mathematics to enhance their academic journey.

NotGauss
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Hello,

I am looking for a book that has sections on different areas of math. I’ve browsed through a few discrete math books but they have something similar to this but not at the level I am looking for.

Essentially, I would like the book to serve as a tour if you will, so I can try and find a field that looks interesting and then dive into the field with a proper book.

For reference to math level, I am currently taking Calc III and have taken a course on proofs.

Thanks,
NG

Edit: So I thought I’d add this as well, I plan to major in mathematics and hopefully attend grad school in mathematics. If there is something looking back you would recommend for yourself to study on your own that would be great too!
 
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You might like The Princeton Companion to Mathematics. It is a collection of many short articles about all sorts of branches of math, written by experts in the field. There will be parts that you won't understand with your background, but I think many of the articles do a good job of introducing the subject with minimal prerequisites.
 
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I enjoyed a paper written by Jaffe about 1984 that gives a good overview of mathematics.
I downloaded the paper from the web so I know you can get the pdf. The was written for SIAM
The paper is called

Ordering the Universe: The role of mathematics
Jaffe, A

I found the paper is a good tour of math and where it fits into many fields

Good Luck.
 
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Thanks for the replies, I check both out.
 

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