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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Are graduate students in mathematics expected to learn information more quickly than undergraduates?

Sheldon Axler writes in LADR that (something along the lines) "if you're reading faster than a page a minute, you're probably going too fast." I'm now an undergraduate, and I can attest that, yes, to fully understand a page in my texts, it takes…
Muno
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Real world applications of Fermat's Last theorem

I am trying to edit a high school paper on Wiles and the phases of discovery along the way to his proof are beyond my poor math skills. I would be grateful for a plain English explanation of the Galois Representation, the Kolyvagin-Flach method…
Innumerate
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Condition of equivalence of 2 equations?

Let $U=(x,y,z)\in \mathbb{Z}^3$ and $a(U),b(U),c(U),d(U),e(U),f(U),g,h$ be integers. Now consider the system of equations: $$x[a(U)]+y[b(U)]+z[c(U)]=g$$ $$x[d(U)]+y[e(U)]+z[f(U)]=h$$ What conditions must this system satisfy so that both equations…
user97615
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Where to buy cheap mathematical ebooks, pdf books or research papers?

Where can I buy cheap a mathematical ebooks, pdf books or research papers? Many thanks
Thomas Edison
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Where are mathematical discoveries posted when being undergraduate?

I am interested about where a mathematical discovery can be posted to be credited for it, if its "father" is an undergraduate or someone who never took mathematics courses but studies mathematics on his own and is pretty good at it? Is it some…
KKZiomek
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Beginner question about proof reading and intuition

So I have a soft beginner question about reading proofs. Proof is provided below. For some reason I may stumble over expressions like this, finding it hard to accept their truth. The equation $a=qd+r$ yields \begin{align*} r&= a-qd\\ &=…
Max
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Trial and error in maths

For you, personally, the way you do maths, how much does the way forward seem like trial and error versus absolute? I guess what I mean is that it seems to me that in maths there is kind of a goal that you are seeking, whether it be to solve a…
math wannabe
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Basic of mathematics compared to higher level of mathematic.

May, someone tell me, does one need to know the basics of algebra to calculus to understand the higher levels of mathematics, or do those rules don't apply? I'm almost done with the basics, afterwards I plan on getting into the higher levels of…
William Zlacki
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Which theorem states that a number N can't be perfectly divided by a number greater that N/2 ?

Which theorem states that a number N can't be perfectly divided by a number greater that N/2?
Theof
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What is cutting edge maths?

My maths teacher always keeps telling me about this 'cutting edge maths' that is going on in the world, amazing maths research, etc. A lot of the google searches I've done for 'Cutting Edge Mathematics' hasn't returned much useful information, so…
Featherball
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How to write down proofs?

I'd like to write down proofs. I use first-order logic and natural deduction. Formulas tend to be long, too long for LaTeX. Writing formulas with the computer is also a slow process. Handwriting is a lot faster and more natural, but I can't trust…
le3
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What do people mean by "Divide unity by something" in Math?

I was reading a book, and on one page it said: Let the series$$S=A+Bx+Cx^2+Dx^3+Ex^4+Fx^5+\ldots+\&c\tag1$$ Divide unity by $S$ as far as two terms of the quotient, which will be the form $p+qx$, and write the remainder in the form $\ldots$ The…
Frank
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Faster calculations $\implies$ better mathematics?

Of course, faster calculations help solve problems quickly. But does that also mean that faster calculations open more opportunities for a career in mathematics (like a researcher)? I like mathematics and can spend weeks trying to solve any problem…
Parth
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Right Angled Similar Triangles

Is it a property that if $\triangle ABC$ is a right angled triangle, all right angled triangles inscribed within $\triangle ABC$ are similar to $\triangle ABC$? If so, is there a name for this…
Math1
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Recommended Precaculus + Calculus books

I'm learning Algebra, and the next course in school is Precalculus and Calculus. And according to most reliable sources, Precalculus and Calculus are going to be really difficult. So.. I'm wondering Question: Are there any recommended Precalculus…
Frank
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