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
4
votes
1 answer

Soft question: Reference on sociology of mathematics

Recently, I was reading the article Manifold Destiny. It is about the problems of attribution to the solution of the Poincaré Conjecture. Throughout the discussion, the article brings up many interesting points, such as: “Politics, power, and…
Amphiaraos
  • 568
4
votes
0 answers

time management and studying maths

I am an undergraduate student in maths and lately I have been having lots of thoughts on how best one should learn maths (probably unwisely). I am going to restrict myself to the topic of 'time management' as I don't think this has been explicitly…
Sam Forbes
  • 171
4
votes
1 answer

How do I know if I'm well-prepared for a real analysis exam? Or more generally, proof-based exams?

I'm taking real analysis I, and my professor gives us a previous exam with solution each time before the midterm/exam. I would do the previous exam and check if I get it right. But it's obvious that my professor are not going to give us the same…
user398843
  • 1,771
4
votes
5 answers

What is being researched on the frontiers of math and what are the expected applications for it?

I don't know if this is an acceptable question to make here, but I wanted to know what kinds of things are being researched that can lead to major breakthroughs in math. I'm not talking about usual research but something that can be really big and…
Ivan Lerner
  • 917
4
votes
2 answers

How do I overcome my test anxiety?

I am an undergraduate at a respectable US institution studying mathematics. I am having a huge problem with test anxiety. It completely inhibits my ability to think clearly. For example: I had a quiz this past week in measure theory, and to prepare…
Hugh Mungus
  • 420
  • 2
  • 11
4
votes
0 answers

How far can an intellectually disabled person go in math?

This question links to the idea of math as a skill or a talent. I'm well aware that some people's minds work in certain areas better than others, but I also know that a lot of people with difficulties still manage to pull through and do incredible…
N.D.H.
  • 175
4
votes
0 answers

How large a library would one need to store a copy of every mathematical book and paper ever published?

I am sure that I am not the only one who often bemoans that their university doesn't have that [extremely specific book or paper] they're looking for. On reflection, I realise it is impractical for the library to have a copy of every mathematical…
Nethesis
  • 3,986
4
votes
2 answers

Applications of logic in sciences

i understand math as the study and description of the behavior of mathematical structures, and as you know this math structures could include rings, fields, metric spaces, propositions, categories, numbers, sets, operators, differential…
Sebastian Valencia
  • 1,610
4
votes
2 answers

Important implications of Russell paradox?

All of us, maybe in our first incursions on pure mathematics or going further in logic or set theory, need to face the rare and "pretty easy" to understand Russell paradox, but maybe the further implication of this encounter is that there is not a…
Sebastian Valencia
  • 1,610
4
votes
3 answers

What math branches are there?

This might be too general question, but still, I think this may be some useful question. So, what math branches are there generally? (for example, one branch would be abstract algebra, differential geometry etc.) Or what math branches are recognized…
softy softy
  • 69
4
votes
1 answer

How to do proofs in your head

I think I have a problem. If I am asked to do a proof, no matter how simple, I need to use a pen paper. I think I'm fairly quick but if someone asks me to do the same proof in my head it takes me significantly longer. I am an undergraduate student…
GLR
  • 77
4
votes
1 answer

Predicting next headache

I am thinking of making a model or whatever name i don't know. Idea is this that I suffers from headache, say twice in a month. What i want to do is that i want to make some kind of system in which i can predict my next headache date based on…
Gathdi
  • 1,402
4
votes
2 answers

Is Wikipedia a reputable source for Mathematics?

I am currently in High School, possibly interested in pursuing a career in Mathematics or the Philosophy/Logic behind Mathematics. I don't have a lot of money for books or videos about Higher Mathematics, but I have been using Wikipedia to learn…
user340812
  • 41
4
votes
1 answer

How Do You Check Your Computations?

I am already a grad student, but sadly I still have problems with careless computations. In my most recent mid-term (multivariable analysis), I lost 21 points out of 100 because of calculation errors and other cringe-worthy mistakes. If you ask me…
Andy Tam
  • 3,367
4
votes
1 answer

Function is also called mapping : why?

I know many terms like function, mapping, transformation, and morphism are used for describing same mathematical object, functions. But I think that there's more explanation about these names than 'just the same'. e.g. we use morphism when we talk…
ben hwang
  • 75
1 2 3
…
59 60