Math Is Fun Forum

In my university they offer 3 degrees having to do with math. They are Mathematical Sciences, Applied Mathematics and then just "Mathematics" which is what Im doing. The fact that they have Applied and Sciences as another major, does that mean that "Mathematics" refers to Pure Mathematics?

The stuff here in the US is different so I dont understand all your talk about A-levels etc but when I was back in High School I took AP Economics Macro & Micro and I loved that class. I wish I could do a double major in it but it would be too stressful for me. I guess its the opposite for me and you. Im currently taking Physics and I hate it, maybe its the way the professor teaches but he just makes the class seem like the whole point is memorizing equations. He is always like "For this kind of question, use this equation, for this other one, use this other equation" etc. I just see it as a grind of memorizing equations. In the other part, I loved my economics because one was able to analyze situations, I loved when the professor would give an assignment describing a hypothetical economic situation and one had to analyze it, explain whats happening etc. I just truly loved that.

As iheartmath said, I'd like to teach myself some things I never learned in High School and since im in University right now, I just feel like a big gap in my mathematical knowledge. For example, in High School I never learned ANYTHING having to do with matrices which is why I just ordered a small book to teach myself etc. Does anyone know of a site that includes sort of a checklist of what one is supposed to know in High School math so I could see what I need to teach myself? Would be really helpful.

Thanks everyone for exposing yourselves here, its entertaining to see where the passion for math comes from everyone here.

Ya. I seen your proof since its the most common one, and as you said, the only one I seen which is why I was interested in seeing the geometric one.

It says it was a geometric proof?

Does anyone know what the student's proof was as to why sqrt(2) could not be represented as fraction?

I just got my quiz back and she (teacher) marked my proof wrong. I asked her and she said I dont know what the sets are and that they could be anything so therefore I could not use the Cantor's Diagonal Argument?

That explanation made no sense to me and I felt it was sort of vague. What you guys think? Im kind of pissed.

What if a = b = 0?

Do you know what values a and b can take?

We havent got to partial fractions. Thats next section. We are supposed to solve it without partial fractions?

I understand what your saying perfectly.

I practically blanked out in the quiz and the proof that I gave was the only thin that came to mind.

Could the professor have a reason to object my proof and not give me any points? Im kind of worried.