Comments on: Case Study: How I Got the Highest Grade in my Discrete Math Class

By: Nazim

Nazim — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:49:17 +0000

This is exactly like the mega problem sets.

By: Pram

Pram — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:02:51 +0000

Hi Cal, this post is exciting cuz discrete maths is what i’ll be doing soon! I have been looking closely at how I can develop insights am stuck at a few places where things seem to be so basic that the textbook does not go into explaining why…for example, how do we *understand* innately what the truth table for ‘if p then q’ means? in two instances where the hypothesis (p) is false, the conditional proposition is true no matter what q is…and this baffles me because I don’t understand why.

The above is just an example of confusion we would face when trying to develop clear, good insights, and we can deal with this in two ways: 1) accept the results for the proposition above ie memorise or 2) clarify with someone.. I’ll take it to my tutor soon, but I’d appreciate your thoughts on how you clarified/understood seemingly basic propositions (or for the benefit everyone: concepts).

thanks for the great post!

By: Albert

Albert — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:07:47 +0000

Hi Cal, I have a few questions:
1) What did you major in college?
2) How can somebody with bad memory adapt to such a system of success? For example, my math course is divided into 18 units. I may get something close to 100 on unit 3, but by the time I’m on unit 4, when someone asks me for help on unit 3, I would have a lot of trouble helping them.
3) You should get a plugin that notify me of comment updates

By: Study Hacks

Study Hacks — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:00:29 +0000

I’m also doing discrete math and things like recurrence, Big O notation, and inductive math are hard.

Right. That’s why you have to learn this, proof by proof. As each proof gives you trouble, get help until you understand it. Then — and this is important — review the proofs using the quiz and recall method. This means you try to recreate the entire proof from *scratch* without peeking. If you can do this, then you’ll remember.

What about for such seemingly abstract concepts from Green’s and Stoke’s Theorem?

That’s slightly different. Presumably you’re not being asked to re-derive Stoke’s Theorem. You need only understand what it says and how to use it. The relevant practice there is probably describing the theorem from scratch (i.e., writing it out without looking at your notes) and being to do walk through one or two sample uses, explaining every step as if lecturing a class…

Are you considering writing a book for Grad School?

I’m actually moving in the opposite direction: my next book is about college admissions. I think grad school is an interesting subject, but (a) the experience widely varies depending on the program; (b) the market is small; and (c) I haven’t yet graduated so I don’t feel qualified yet to say that I’ve succeeded.

I have a math final on Monday, under these circumstances, how do you suggest that I apply your technique?

To the best of your ability. Hit the main proofs and concepts first and see how much time you have left. Start right away. Work early in the day. Work in isolation!

By: Stressed Student

Stressed Student — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:31:21 +0000

I have a math final on Monday, under these circumstances, how do you suggest that I apply your technique?

By: Sebastian

Sebastian — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:52:37 +0000

Great post. Technical classes always gave me problems, the more I read this blog the more I see WHY. Looking forward to reading your books over the winter break!

PS. Are you considering writing a book for Grad School? I’d love to read your insights on what to do as an undergrad to get in, and HOW to survive it once you’re there.

Keep up the great work!

By: JC

JC — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:48:33 +0000

What about for such seemingly abstract concepts from Green’s and Stoke’s Theorem? I realize that that’s a rather specific question though…

By: Nuruddeen Lewis

Nuruddeen Lewis — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:07:52 +0000

Great post Cal. Keep em coming.

By: Dottywine

Dottywine — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:02:20 +0000

I’m having trouble with Calc 2 and manipulating these sequences and series. I also feel like sometimes a simple problem is hard because I forgot how to do something I did in earlier problems.
I’m also doing discrete math and things like recurrence, Big O notation, and inductive math are hard.

By: Study Hacks

Study Hacks — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:04:32 +0000

The only thing I haven’t tried is doing every problem in the book.

Without insights, simply doing problems won’t help. You need to understand *why* the main concepts presented in class are true.

What subject are you taking? Can you give us some sense of the type of material you’re struggling to learn insights for?