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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When have you 'read' a math book?

I have been pondering the following for some time: What does it take to say ''I have read that math book''? I realize that I want to $\textit{read}$ some math books, but I'm not quite sure when I can say (to myself) that I have. Is it when I can…
Numbersandsoon
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Where to take Real Analysis and Linear Algebra?

I am undergraduate in economics. As you may know, most prestigious departments in economics now require their aspirants to have taken Real Analysis (and Linear Algebra, too) before entering their programs. I have time to take these courses but don't…
Silent
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Math Diagram Drawing

I recently saw this old sketch of the Gamma function that was done by hand and tools, and I thought that it was really cool. I realized before computer simulations and graphics, if we wanted to visualize a function, we had to accurately draw it…
BENG
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Do I need to prove $f(x)$ is convergent before defining it?

For example, I define $\sin x=\sum_{k=0}^\infty\frac{(-1)^kx^{2k+1}}{(2k+1)!}$, should I show that $\sum_{k=0}^\infty\frac{(-1)^kx^{2k+1}}{(2k+1)!}$ is convergent for all real $x$ first, or I can define it first even I haven't proved it's convergent…
JSCB
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Where can I start learning about higher dimensions in mathematics?

As the title suggests, I am looking to gain a good understanding of what higher dimensions are and how they operate, particularly in mathematics. And how I can build an intuitive understanding of this concept. I'm a college student and…
冥王 Hades
  • 3,083
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How impact the work of a pure mathematician in the society?

First of all I explain my situation: On my University most of the careers are doing videos to explain what we do and try to atract more people to our careers. I'm in a really bad position, because the people who are in charge of the video want me to…
Joaquín Moraga
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Different ways to cite references in Mathematics

I'm wondering what the different ways to cite references are. I have read about different styles of citation, like APA (American Psychological Association) is used by Education, Psychology, and Sciences MLA (Modern Language Association) style is…
alexmaersk
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Topology and commutative algebra.

I don't know both of these subjects, but I was wondering if there was any topology in commutative algebra. I don't need any detailed answer (since I don't know any of them yet)...So would it be helpful to know topology when studying commutative…
user58289
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How do you make less mistakes in math?

How do you make less mistakes in math? Do you try to be more alert, do you take your time more, or what? Usually I don't make that many mistakes, but sometimes (like now) I do math as I imagine I would do it if I was ever drunk. I just did a couple…
Ovi
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How can we determine if a question is an open question?

In mathematics, an open question is a question that no one has been able to answer. There are incomplete lists of open questions, for example here. Suppose I think of a question and cannot answer it. I search for it but cannot find it. I post it…
Dan
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What's next? $\text{Hom}(U,V)$, tensor product and so on

I don't think this question is as soft as soft-question tag, but if I not how to tag it, I would not be asking this question: I have taken second year linear algebra (Axler's Linear Algebra Done Right), but I still find much trouble understanding…
1LiterTears
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Recent results proven elementarily

Many problems in recent years were proven using incredibly advanced methods, like Fermat's Last Theorem. I'm interested about solutions to any non-trivial results which are elementary (i.e. someone with only a solid grasp on mathematics taught in…
Kyan Cheung
  • 3,184
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How do I know I'm not mistaken when I can't see the solution to a problem?

I'm reading the first chapter of "Elements of Set Theory" by Enderton. I found a solution of the book and saw it after doing exercises on my own. But I think there are 3 errors among 7 exercises, which is frequent. Exercise 1.1. Which of the…
op ol
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Circle/ Ellipse geometry problem from Ramanujan

Does someone have detail of the problem and his solution? I saw it in youtube. A rough hand sketch remade seeing YouTube video SR geometry problem (17 min 51 sec). I have no access to the TIFR book cited. Thanks in advance. The original image is…
Narasimham
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Intended Audience for N Is a Number?

Is the film N is a Number appropriate (mathematically) for a student entering high school?
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