Mathematics Stack Exchange
Mathematics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [advice]

Questions asking for advice on various mathematical matters. Be careful that your question is answerable, and also that it is not a polling question (e.g. "What is the best / your favorite way to...").

Questions asking for advice on various mathematical matters. Be careful that your question is answerable, and also that it is not a polling question (e.g. "What is the best / your favorite way to...").

917 questions
14
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I'm feeling demotivated in my undergraduate course

I was a very good math student in high school. I was in the national level Olympiad team. Now I'm studying at the best college in my country with really good mathematicians. I've all almost all of my confidence in the pursuit of finding rigorous…
John
  • 151
7
votes
2 answers

Two sets can be separated by a hyperplane iff their convex hulls do not intersect

So I am supposed to prove that two sets of points in $\mathbb{R}^n$ are linearly separable in an n-dimensional space if and only if their convex hulls do not intersect. I understand the concept visually in 2 and 3 space, it's just that I'm confusing…
Stephen
  • 173
5
votes
2 answers

In what order does mathematics build upon itself?

I have many times come across mathematical proofs, theorems, conjectures, and generally interesting things. For example: Twin primes conjecture Millennium problems Ramsey theory Fermat's last Reimann Hypothesis Reimann Zeta function Galois theory /…
kukac67
  • 303
5
votes
2 answers

Is Abstract Algebra Necessary For A Thorough Understanding of Real Analysis?

Background Info: I have been studying (self-study) Real Analysis for a few weeks now, and with the help of people from here I have, comfortably, made it 3/4 of the way through the first chapter on Real Numbers. However, yesterday I hit a bit of a…
JimmyJackson
  • 1,517
4
votes
2 answers

Majoring in Physics vs Mathematics (Pure)

I am a third-year UG student enrolled in a five-year BS-MS dual degree program. I just got the opportunity to personalize my courses and pick a major at the start of this semester. I went with a physics major, with four core physics courses and two…
Livin' to Learn
  • 41
4
votes
0 answers

Can a profoundly gifted high school student directly enter a graduate program?

I'm a high school math teacher and I've been working with a profoundly gifted student. His case is highly unusual, and I wonder whether it is possible for him to enter a math grad program without obtaining a bachelor's first. Here are the…
Dave K
  • 49
3
votes
3 answers

Advice reviewing academic paper

For a piece of university coursework, I have been asked to review a paper of my choice. It is a computer science course, but since it is very mathematical, I thought it was worth asking here. I was wondering if you had any advice for how I should go…
superbriggs
  • 175
3
votes
1 answer

1 or 2 Year Master's Program

I have been admitted to two Master's Programs in math (both with funding). One is 1 year long and the other is 2 years long. I plan on obtaining a PhD directly afterwards. The 1 year option lets me save one year. But I would have to apply to PhD…
domoremath
  • 527
2
votes
2 answers

Informal: What do you do when you cannot understand a proof in a book?

I have just moved to the differentiation chapter in Royden's book on real analysis. Unfortunately, many of these proofs are difficult for me to understand, and no matter how many times I read them, they do not make sense, specifically the section on…
user1876508
  • 747
2
votes
3 answers

Question regarding which book to use to study for an actuarial exam.

I am considering a career change and I would like to have some advice regarding the exam 1 (probability) that I need to pass as an actuary. The books that are recommended by SOA is the following. 1), A First Course in Probability (8th Ed) by Ross…
hyg17
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Advice for a physics undergrad student

I am currently a first year student studying Theoretical Physics. This summer I had a mind to try and become well versed on the topics of multivariable/single variable calculus and linear algebra, as I consider them to be a necessary foundation on…
benmcgloin
  • 446
2
votes
0 answers

Independent Study Please Advise

I'm a junior college student planning to transfer next fall. I'm a math major debating whether to double-major in astrophysics once I transfer. I've already finished all my lower-division major requirements at the JC I go to (calc 1-4, a linear…
L_M
  • 71
2
votes
1 answer

Mathematics GRE subject test Prerequisites

I looked at the Mathematics GRE subject test's website and it says the material covered is 50 % Calculus, 25 % Algebra, 25 % Additional Topics. I have taken two semesters of real analysis, abstract algebra, linear algebra, and complex analysis as…
rain
  • 793
2
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0 answers

Confusing regarding final year modules

My university has released the modules that I am available to take next year in my final year of undergrad. A PDF was also provided grouping the modules into their respective mathematical topics. I'll be the first to admit I'm a little in over my…
Zombiegit123
  • 479
2
votes
2 answers

Recommended reading for a 15-year-old hopeful university mathematics student.

I am in the UK, studying GCSE, if that means anything to you. What would you recommend to me, to further my understanding of mathematics, of my current level or further? Thanks.
user511660
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