Would you consider Number Theory a difficult course?

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BigToque

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,700
0
76
I need to take a 2nd year math course at university.

Linear algebra was relatively easy.
I found Calculus 1 difficult.

I haven't taken a math class in about 5 years. Which 2nd year math course would you recommend?
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,666
21
81
How about finate math? All us business/accounting majors take that.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,755
13,862
126
www.anyf.ca
Anything math is hard. I failed grade 11 math with a 24%, retook during summer school (I wish all courses were that fast - it's straight to the point, was great) and got 71% Grade 12 math was calculus over video conference, and that alone proves God exists: I passed. Then college I barely made it, but I did. I still can remember, step by step, me and my friend walking through the college halls, a few days before Christmas, to go see our math teacher to get our result (whether we pass or fail). My heart was pounding, since this pretty much determined if I'd be screwed over and have to stay another year. I got to the teacher, he looked up my marks, and I can still picture him turning around with a smile "you made it". Besides graduating from college, I think that was the best moment of my life.

Yeah, I hate math, and I suck at it. I'm a programmer, I make the computer do the work for me. :p
 
drinkmorejava

drinkmorejava

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
3,567
7
81
If you like programming, you could take a numerical computing course. Would cover things like non-linear methods to solving over determined systems and numerical integration/differentiation.

Basically, lots of MATLAB and matrix operations.

Pain in the ass, but I learned a lot.


Edit: Just saw the part about Calc 1 being difficult. You wouldn't necessarily do a lot of calc, but there are a ton of hard concepts.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
I failed calc I originally...found out I had both a terrible teacher and book (days before the google).

did great later on in Number Theory Matrix Theory...I did poor in Linear Algebra but so did quite a few decent students. Guy was an asshat.
 
Leros

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
Lots of schools offer business versions of certain math classes which are easier and cover less material. You might find business calculus really easy compared to normal calculus. Is that an option?
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
A great class I recommend is Queueing Theory. I took it in a class for both undergrad and grad students.

My professor was an old school dude from original mil/bell labs.

He was banned from most casinos and had a new BMW show up each year.

My database professor used to mention him quite a bit (also ex military/bell labs).

These type of dudes were the original hackers.
 
I

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
0
0
Statistics? Kinda nice to know, I forgot most of it, and didn't do too well.

What is it with Calculus and college. I, and almost everyone in my class with some affinity in math, scored 80/90s in highschool. Once we hit college, people were dropping like flies, course averages were barely 60%, exams had failing averages.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: Imp
Statistics? Kinda nice to know, I forgot most of it, and didn't do too well.

What is it with Calculus and college. I, and almost everyone in my class with some affinity in math, scored 80/90s in highschool. Once we hit college, people were dropping like flies, course averages were barely 60%, exams had failing averages.
Click to expand...

srsly?

pre-college today everyone pretty much as to pass today.
 
Hacp

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
81
Originally posted by: Imp
Statistics? Kinda nice to know, I forgot most of it, and didn't do too well.

What is it with Calculus and college. I, and almost everyone in my class with some affinity in math, scored 80/90s in highschool. Once we hit college, people were dropping like flies, course averages were barely 60%, exams had failing averages.
Click to expand...

Why is Calculus hard? Because the teachers become harder. They don't babysit you anymore like they did in high school. They are all experts at the subject, and expect you to pick everything in a snap. Everything you learned in high school up to pre-calculus, they expect you to have mastered. Thats why so many people have difficulty with College calculus.

Frankly, if you can take the course in High School, do so! Take the BC version and get it over with, because High School teachers will baby sit you and beat the nail in the coffin until you understand the material. They'll actually check if you get the concepts. College teachers won't be as agreeable.
 
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