Which Field of Math Requires the Least Geometry?

[forgetyou678]

Hi,

I've always been good at math but I suck at anything visual (like geometry). I thought Calc III was so hard, just because I couldn't visualize any of the shapes and I have horrible spatial reasoning skills. I still want to be a math major though.

My question is: Which field of math requires the least amount of geometry? (where my lack of spatial reasoning skills won't be that much of a hindrance)

Thanks.

 

[klackity]

Algebra.

Although I think it's really funny when people don't like spatial reasoning. It's the only thing that gets me by.

But really in field of math, you need to be able to develop a (correct) intuition about what you are studying. Sometimes this will tend to be more spacial, other times not. I wouldn't discount your spatial reasoning abilities just yet, as Calc III is kind of non-cohesive when you first learn it. The farther you go in math, the harder it is to gain an intuition.

 

[forgetyou678]

Algebra.

Although I think it's really funny when people don't like spatial reasoning. It's the only thing that gets me by.

But really in field of math, you need to be able to develop a (correct) intuition about what you are studying. Sometimes this will tend to be more spacial, other times not. I wouldn't discount your spatial reasoning abilities just yet, as Calc III is kind of non-cohesive when you first learn it. The farther you go in math, the harder it is to gain an intuition.

Well, I'm definitely not giving up...

It's just that I feel that there is such a big gap between my mathematical ability in geometry and other fields of math...

I thought Calc I/II were so easy and Calc III very hard, just because of all the visualization needed.

Can you elaborate more on what algebra is?

Thanks!

 

[flyingpig]

Probability?

 

[Hurkyl]

I've always been good at math but I suck at anything visual (like geometry). I thought Calc III was so hard, just because I couldn't visualize any of the shapes and I have horrible spatial reasoning skills. I still want to be a math major though.

Have you tried applying algebraic reasoning to such problems? Sometimes it's much easier to just manipulate equations than try and picture a problem -- especially if you are poorly inclined to spatial reasoning.

 

[l-1j-cho]

logic, for the win!

 

[Poopsilon]

yes I concur with cho, algebra often admits all sorts of geometric reasoning: curves, diagrams, geometric objects, etc. but logic and related fields seem almost completely devoid of it.

 

[mathwonk]

you might want to try something that does use some geometry, on the theory that it is wise to try to strengthen your weaknesses in an important subject.

 

[WannabeNewton]

IMO mathematics and physics are most interesting when geometry is involved. But you could always try probability.

 

[symbolipoint]

The trouble with this difficult mind-connection between Geometry and "Algebra" from the point of view of some of us is that much of what we do both in school and in employment utilizes simple or moderate Algebra, and only very very simple, 8th grade level at best Geometry - no proofs involved. Many of us might or might not apply a small bit of "analytic geometry", but we mostly use simple algebra and Basic Math, so often not requiring more than ninth-grade Algebra 1. Maybe a few of us use logarithms, maybe one or two or three simple geometric formulas.

Would anyone care to share how he has used skill of Geometry proofs in an industrial or governmental job? I do not mean a derivation reliant on only numeric-number property steps, but I mean a PROOF other than just a derivation.

 

[forgetyou678]

Have you tried applying algebraic reasoning to such problems? Sometimes it's much easier to just manipulate equations than try and picture a problem -- especially if you are poorly inclined to spatial reasoning.

that's a great idea. i'll definitely try that next time.

@mathwonk: I'm trying to improve my skills in geometry but i just don't seem to be getting that much better.

What are some popular research areas that don't involve much geometry?

 

[hunt_mat]

Modern geometry doesn't involve the pictures that the geometry you've been doing, so if you take a course in manifolds, you might like that.

Personally, I fell in love with analysis when I was an undergraduate. I also enjoyed solving partial differential equations too.

 

[reree17]

Hi,

I've always been good at math but I suck at anything visual (like geometry). I thought Calc III was so hard, just because I couldn't visualize any of the shapes and I have horrible spatial reasoning skills. I still want to be a math major though.

My question is: Which field of math requires the least amount of geometry? (where my lack of spatial reasoning skills won't be that much of a hindrance)

Thanks.

I used to be terrible at geometry, but good at everything else too. Here are some tips I recommend:

- Watch YouTube videos (e.g. KhanAcademy) - Some of these guys are better than your teacher in terms of explaining

- Ask a smart friend for help - My friend was amazing at geometry, and she drew out on a sheet for me a lot of helpful concepts concerning geometry that I would refer to

- Look at geometry in a different way - Instead of thinking "oh God no" when you hear your teacher say the word geometry, look at it in a more positive way. See it as a puzzle, for example with circle theorems I saw it as a big puzzle where I was constantly looking for angles to work out another angle to work out another etc. in this way it was more challenging and more fun

- See your teacher - I would recommend seeing them early in the morning/at break/lunch/afterschool when you're less likely to be interrupted by other classmates. They could also get out some past tests that you've done and go through your mistakes with you, and from there you can identify your weakest areas in geometry and focus on working on those the most

- Practice, practice, practice - Textbook questions, internet questions, ask for extra worksheets from teacher...even try doing geometry questions in your spare time, when you have nothing better to do. It will help, no matter how boring it sounds. Your drive should be your goal to become a 'genius' in geometry

-Over-learn geometry - Read everything you can. Don't just stick to the textbook, look for many resources. Hit the library and flick through some geometry books. Take notes on points that make the concepts clearer to you. Learn it as if you are appearing on stage and have to perform your intelligence, so you want to be the best at it. The more resources you look at, the more clearer the concepts become.

I hope this helps. Best of luck :)

P.S. As for fields that have a lack of geometry - I don't really think most involve geometry, except heavy-math related jobs of course e.g. professor. I suppose doctors don't really use geometry. To be honest it tends to be the number and sometimes algebra-side of things really in most jobs. Whatever field you choose to pursue in, your weakness in geometry shouldn't prevent you from pursuing it. Instead, use your ideal career as a goal to succeed and be the best at geometry.