Clarity
We teach students to always simplify in mahtematics, but the truth is that this can hide the more natural interpretation of results.
Author: jeremy
Academic Silos
Of course, Science can’t afford to sever the connection with Math, so they’ve made sure to keep the relationship strong.
Being Good At Mathematics
“How did you get so good?†This is a question I’m asked from time to time with respect to mathematics and physics. People see the kinds of grades I get, and they want to know what my secret is. I presume they think I have a method, or at least some explanation as to why I get great grades at school. When I hear this question, I often have to hold myself back from ranting…
Clarity and Words
A cornerstone of physics and mathematics is the process of labeling. If you want to learn any subject, you need to get familiar with the jargon of the field. In physics, terms like “workâ€, “resistanceâ€, “capacitanceâ€, “energyâ€, “potentialâ€, and many more have precise meanings. Likewise, the terms “functionâ€, “continuousâ€, and “one-to-one†have precise meanings in mathematics. When you first start learning the subject, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of terms. By…
Average
Basic Definitions
I love biology. Perhaps in another life I would be working within mathematical biology, since I think there is some important work being done there.
No Final Exam
Here’s a thought: what if the class you were in had no final exam? I know, it seems preposterous. Whenever one thinks of a mathematics or science course, a final exam is a no-brainer. It’s never a surprise to the students that your class will have a final exam, because that’s the tradition. Mathematics classes have final exams as a rule. It’s the way that students show that they’ve understood the material throughout the semester.…
Arithmetic Skills
Arbitrary Memorization
I understand the need to remember some things, but this tends to come from using the equations, not cramming them into your head right before an exam. I’ve litterally made sure I can remember the equations before I enter the room, so that I can write them down immediately. Should students be punished if they can’t do this?
Patting Yourself On The Back
As a student or an academic, chances are you have a lot of work to do. Whether that is homework, studying for exams, preparing a presentation, writing a paper, doing research, or teaching, there is a lot that is asked of you. Often, the weeks seem like undulating waves, with regular spikes in work followed by brief periods of respite. This can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle if you are not careful with how you…
