How to Study for this course-Math 4A
Study
Skills Inventory
- Read the text sections
prior to their being discussed in class. Reading the next section will
introduce you to new concepts and ideas before they are introduced. Come to
class prepared to ask questions about any new concepts which are not clear
after reading the text.
- Do all the assigned
homework immediately after the section has been discussed in class. When
you work the homework, you should work a group of problems at a time before
checking your answers with those in the back of the text. Be sure you make
an honest attempt at a problem before looking up the answer. Many students
become very good at working backwards from the answers to obtain solutions
to problems: unfortunately, the answers are not provided on exam problems
so you must be able to work problems from the beginning to the end.
- If you have questions
about the homework problems, get your questions answered as they arise,
either in class, the Math Lab, or during my office hours. Do not save up
your questions for the day before the exam!
- Spend some time every
day on this course. Spending a small amount of time each day will be more
productive than saving up all your work for the weekend or the week or the
day before the exam.
"Perhaps I could best describe my experience of doing mathematics in terms of
entering a dark mansion. You go into the first room and it’s dark, completely
dark. You stumble around, bumping into furniture. Gradually, you learn where
each piece of furniture is. And finally, after six months or so, you find the
light switch and turn it on. Suddenly, it’s all illuminated and you can see
exactly where you were. Then you enter the next dark room…."
-Professor Andrew Wiles