Mathematics Stack Exchange
Mathematics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [soft-question]

For questions whose answers can't be objectively evaluated as correct or incorrect, but which are still relevant to this site. Please be specific about what you are after.

For questions whose answers cannot be objectively evaluated as correct or incorrect, but which are still relevant to mathematics.se.

12079 questions
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How to explain to the layperson what mathematics is, why it's important, and why it's interesting

A mathematician walks into a party. No, this is not the beginning of another joke, nor of a graph theory problem, but rather the beginning of a frequent and often frustrating real-life situation. Somebody asks you: "So, what do you do?" What do…
Bruno Joyal
  • 54,711
59
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8 answers

Lemma/Proposition/Theorem, which one should we pick?

This is something that confuses me. I have read a few mathematical texts and they often seem to use Lemma/Proposition/Theorem if they have a particular statement. Now, which one to use? A lemma can be something you need to prove a more important…
JT_NL
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57
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3 answers

What is this pattern called?

Back-Story I became interested in the patterns in multiplication tables for different base number systems a while ago. Specifically, the pattern made by the last digit of each number in the multiplication table. So, base 10 would look like…
Alex McKenzie
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56
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14 answers

Can math be subjective?

Often times in math, ever since Kindergarten and before, math has been defined by the fact that there are only one answer for problems. For example: $1+1=2$ and $\frac{d}{dx}x^2=2x$. What I am showing by these two examples are two questions that are…
user253055
51
votes
8 answers

Why does intersection always preserve "closed" structures?

In many areas of math one can talk about types of closure: Subsets of sets with binary operations can be closed under that binary operation, subsets of topological spaces can be closed, sets of ordinals can be closed. There seems to be a common…
P-addict
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47
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8 answers

How important is programming for mathematicians?

I'm a freshman student in mathematics, and I'm considering whether or not to take a programming course. How important is programming for mathematicians? Do working mathematicians use programs to aid their research?
asepe
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46
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7 answers

Struggling with "technique-based" mathematics, can people relate to this? And what, if anything, can be done about it?

I'm a 3rd year undergraduate, majoring in pure mathematics. I've done well in the "proof-based" subjects I've taken, and I think that's because I understand the "rules of the game." That is, predicate logic + how to write a coherent proof.…
goblin GONE
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46
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5 answers

A Young Math Enthusiast's Fear

Having been an avid lover of Mathematics, it is my dream to become a mathematician one day. I have been learning some "Advanced Mathematics" (Real Analysis and some Abstract Algebra mostly, and a little bit of Linear Algebra). The first thing that…
user11470
43
votes
8 answers

undergraduate math vs graduate math

It's really a mild, soft question. So far, I am an undergrad student, contemplating on several majors. What will be the major difference if I become a math major and go to a graduate school to study math? Will a graduate math major generally focus…
user2346
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42
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7 answers

Is speed an important quality in a mathematician?

Is solving problems quickly an important trait for a mathematician to have? Is solving textbook/olympiad style problems quickly necessary to succeed in math? To make an analogy, is it better to be a sprinter or a marathon runner in mathematics?
NebulousReveal
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40
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3 answers

What to do after a Master's Degree in Pure Mathematics?

This is not exactly a math question but I figured this would be the best place to ask - I suppose mathematicians are best qualified to answer it. This summer I will finish my thesis in pure mathematics and therefore the master's degree itself. My…
essay
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40
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5 answers

Are there mathematical objects that have been proved to exist but cannot be described in words?

This might be a very stupid, and possibly philosophical question, but attempt to apply mathematics to everything plus inspired by this question caused me to ask this question Is there any mathematical object that has been proved to exist but…
Secret
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39
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6 answers

First job in industry for a pure, pure mathematics folk

this is an "almost" Ph.D. in pure maths who's got a few reasons to look for a job in the industry. I know that many choices are out there for a math guy: finance, consulting, industrial research, big data analysis, machine learning... My main…
fatoddsun
  • 2,169
37
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7 answers

Are older mathematics textbooks still "valid"?

Being interested in learning rigorous calculus (as opposed to the content taught in AP Calculus and intro calculus courses in university), some textbooks mentioned quite often on the internet include Introduction to Calculus and Analysis, Vol. 1 by…
MathematicsStudent1122
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36
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6 answers

A Question about Doctoral Theses in Mathematics

This is most definitely a soft question, which I'm sure may get some negative attention, and perhaps even be voted closed. However, I genuinely would like to generate answers on this matter as it concerns anyone that decides to get a doctorate in…
user02138
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