Re: Calculus I: What to expect?


"Dave L. Renfro" <renfr1dl@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:1187128439.110063.255820@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OnDavid Moran wrote:

Don't even think about Mathematica until you're
comfortable with working problems with pen and paper.
I didn't even use Mathematica until I got to Differential
Equations.

I had never used a calculator (for anything) when I was
first learning differential equations. I had a calculator
when I was learning partial differential equations and
complex variables, but I don't think I ever brought it
with me to class, nor do I remember anyone else having one
in class (but this was back in 1976).

Dave L. Renfro


I also studied pdes in 1976.

I can't recall ever using a calculator in maths classes. If a numeric answer was required, the answer was generally 2, sqrt(pi) or 1/e.

I don't think that a symbolic computer algebra program would be much use. This will tell you the correct answer; what you are going to be learning is the correct method.

Learning basic calculus is very interesting and fun. If nothing else, you will understand the point of learning trig identities, transforming exponential functions and all the other stuff with no obvious use that you have been studying. It will hugely increase the range of real-life questions that you can answer - its like a magic mathematical wand.

Enjoy.



.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Catching up
    ... were issued a calculator when they needed them. ... For a math major it would be a different story, ... I thought they were supposed to be learning math, ... save up for the retainer either. ...
    (rec.crafts.textiles.quilting)
  • Re: Catching up
    ... We had the old CRC books of tables for trigonometry. ... scientific calculator nowadays. ... For a math major it would be a different story, ... I thought they were supposed to be learning math, ...
    (rec.crafts.textiles.quilting)
  • Re: How do women read maps?
    ... Another very useful tool, ... calculator, one without. ... Now, with the 'literacy hour' every day in primary schools, mental arithmatic and knowing tables, things are slowly changing, but you have to take into account that the teachers were largely educated in the free-for-all time, and only those of my age and older remember how to do it 'properly' - and then not if they were educated in 'progressive' schools that pioneered New Maths and using modern and relatively ineffective methods. ... The idea is that you have areas where the kids are sucked into computers all day and absorb learning off the internet and similar things... ...
    (uk.rec.walking)
  • Re: Writing more efficient code
    ... orders of magnitude faster and having it statically checked, ... Haskell, F#, Mathematica etc. ... Mathematica is expensive but learning to use pattern matching is much easier ...
    (comp.lang.python)
  • Which calculator should I get?
    ... Here's what I really want to be doing on it: programming. ... program, and right now I'm learning C, so the calculator must be able to ... please give your ) opinions on which calculator I should ...
    (comp.sys.hp48)
Quantcast