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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Doing math on paper vs computer

Generally, I do all my math with pen and paper, and only when done, type it via LaTeX. The downsides to this are inefficiency (time taken to retype), difficulty of editing (lots of cross outs), and losing things that I end up not typing. With so…
SRobertJames
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Algebraic Topology Need!

In India, generally during the graduate years, we follow a course work pattern, unlike many places in the U.S where students are exposed to research during their undergraduate years itself. As, a graduate student, we have basic courses like,…
anonymous
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Solving questions which appear to be pure hit-and-trial

Consider the following problem: There is an integer in each square of a $8 \times 8$ chessboard. In each move you can add $1$ to each of the integers in a smaller $4\times 4$ or $3 \times 3$ square. Can you always get a table with an entry…
Gerard
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Why use the word axiom rather than property?

In the definition of a vector space, one often uses the word axiom to say that anything that satisfies the given axioms is a vector space. But the word axiom usually refers to a statement that is believed to be true without further justification.…
Seeker
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Who edited Perelman's papers?

While procrastinating over mathematical papers on Arxiv, I came across odd dates of the papers. That is, Ricci flow with surgery on three-manifolds, Grisha Perelman, February 1, 2008 The entropy formula for the Ricci flow and its geometric…
Chulumba
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Surprising results regarding simple mathematical topics which come from more advanced topics

Sometimes when I'm studying a new mathematical topic and I haven't fully internalized it yet, I lose interest easily if I can't connect it to something I already know. For example, I've studied (very elementary) galois theory and a large part of my…
Godtycklig Fysiker
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Soft Question Is it normal that a person who loves doing high school math but hates university math?

I used to love doing math problems ever since elementary to high school. I wasn't always the brightest student in class but I always loved doing math problems. I didn't always achieve the perfect score, but my math grade wasn't the worst. During…
Rosaline
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How much to charge for being a math tutor?

I have been requested by some people I know fairly well to tutor their son in math. He is going into 9th grade, so it's not super-fancy stuff. Some background: I graduated fairly recently from college with a bachelor's in engineering, and I have a…
Cajunluke
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Are there websites for open-ended math discussions?

Stack exchange websites such as this are clearly intended for cut and dried math questions and answers, and loosely framed or open-ended questions are given short shrift and soon closed down by ever vigilant moderators, and I suspect even this…
John R Ramsden
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How do I propose new ideas?

If a person uses their own devices to study a subject, that is, their methods deviate from conventionally accepted methods due to lack of knowledge regarding mainstream mathematics, how do they disclose findings, or make minor propositions?
Paladin
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Methods of making mathematical discovery

There are lots of methods of proof: direct proof, proof by contrapositive, proof by contradiction, proof by induction, proof by cases, computer proof... On the other hand, the process of mathematical discovery seems quite mysterious to me. Take…
YuiTo Cheng
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Sources of Math Problems to Maintain One's "Chops"

I got partway through a graduate degree in math and I'm now doing something "completely different," but it bothers me that my skills are fading away. I don't have a lot of time, but I would like to devote 15 - 30 minutes a day to working on a…
user3050028
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Difference between the complex plane and cartesian plane

am i right in saying that the cartesian plane allows us to visualise elements of $\mathbb{R}^2$, and the complex plane elements of $\mathbb{C}$? My confusion was over whether the complex plane was a cartesian plane, technically, but i don't think it…
Carlos Bacca
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Expository problems

In one article on his blog; T. Gowers talks about ''expository problems''. For those too lazy to click that link, a quote of a quote: Solving an open exposition problem means explaining a mathematical subject in a way that renders it totally…
ante.ceperic
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Academic failure

I'm an undergrad student majoring in maths in my next semester. Up until the current semester I was able to get very good grades in almost every course and I had a grade average which I think would be placed at the highest position of any "regular"…
A_Whimp
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