Just a quick post. I am working hard towards completing TM03 of M208, and now just have the last question to answer, which is all about working out standard form quadrics. I am a bit behind on my reading (still half of Unit LA5 to read; as, due to a family bereavement, I have been quite distracted this week.
Anyway, I will complete TMA03 and start the Analysis section next week, on time; after a short period of solitary reflection.
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Audio Sections; Contributing to Confusion.
I am 3/4 of the way through writing TMA03, using Mathtype for word. I have to say, that having spent approximately 20hrs using Mathtype, now; it is becoming very much a breeze, to use. The results of using it are nicely typed, automatically well formatted maths equations.
With regards to the content of TMA03, I did find it a real mixed bag of difficulty. I found most of it relatively straight forward, except for the question on orthogonality. I found myself in a real twist for about 6hrs, before working out what I needed to do, in order to find an orthogonal basis for a subset, that they had given.
I think what really threw me, was the increasingly annoying way that the O.U secrete an 'audio' section into the units, with cryptic accompanying notes, to guide your path. I am not a purist, by any means. I do enjoy occasionally learning in ways that are not connected with reading dusty old text books; but these audio sections are driving me insane.
I could understand the use of them, if they were needed to describe intricately subtle ideas, that wouldn't be apparent from just reading a text book; but my experience of the O.U's treatment of this format, leads me to the conclusion that they are just used to read out what is already written on the page of notes. Hardly helpful!
They are an unnecessary distraction, in my view. I believe that the use of an audio section in the 'Orthogonality of subspaces' section, has contributed to my confusion on TMA03; and I fear that there are more audio sections, to come.
With regards to the content of TMA03, I did find it a real mixed bag of difficulty. I found most of it relatively straight forward, except for the question on orthogonality. I found myself in a real twist for about 6hrs, before working out what I needed to do, in order to find an orthogonal basis for a subset, that they had given.
I think what really threw me, was the increasingly annoying way that the O.U secrete an 'audio' section into the units, with cryptic accompanying notes, to guide your path. I am not a purist, by any means. I do enjoy occasionally learning in ways that are not connected with reading dusty old text books; but these audio sections are driving me insane.
I could understand the use of them, if they were needed to describe intricately subtle ideas, that wouldn't be apparent from just reading a text book; but my experience of the O.U's treatment of this format, leads me to the conclusion that they are just used to read out what is already written on the page of notes. Hardly helpful!
They are an unnecessary distraction, in my view. I believe that the use of an audio section in the 'Orthogonality of subspaces' section, has contributed to my confusion on TMA03; and I fear that there are more audio sections, to come.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Linear Algebra: Hard, But Great Fun
Well, I am now more than half way through the linear algebra offering from M208, The Open University's general pure mathematics course. I am about 20 pages into book 4 of 5, and I am starting to now understand how it all fits together, very nicely.
I have always enjoyed matrices and simultaneous equations; but until I studied M208, I never understood that these areas of mathematics were just the tools that are required to study Linear Algebra, which I now regard as the 'science' of manipulating finite subspaces in n-dimensional vector spaces and also mapping transformations between them. Not forgetting that what we actually seem to be doing (I think), is finding isomorphisms, between subspaces and also between vector spaces.
If you want a very good preci of what Linear Algebra actually is, in about a side of A4; just look on Wikipedia under Linear Algebra. I particularly like the graphic at the right hand, top of the page.
Anyway, Linear Algebra: good.
Also, I am now just over 50% of the way through TMA03, for M208, which is all being completed on Mathtype and Word 2010. So, onwards, and upwards. I am planning to get all of Linear Algebra studying and TMA03, completed before the 7th of May, when I am hoping to take a few days off with the family.
Looking back over the last few years, it seems incredible that I started all of this off with just a GCSE in mathematics, as my highest level of maths study. As an exercise in morale boosting last week, I glanced back over my unit books from MST121 last year. I was really surprised to find, that the units appeared relatively simple and very light in content, compared to how I remember them.
I was particularly intrigued by the fact that there was one particular calculus exercise that I didn't understand last year during my study of MST121; but when I looked back at that particular problem last week, I completed it in about 30 seconds, without any need to review the subject matter. Boy, how things have come on in just one year. Who knows what 2013 will hold?
I have always enjoyed matrices and simultaneous equations; but until I studied M208, I never understood that these areas of mathematics were just the tools that are required to study Linear Algebra, which I now regard as the 'science' of manipulating finite subspaces in n-dimensional vector spaces and also mapping transformations between them. Not forgetting that what we actually seem to be doing (I think), is finding isomorphisms, between subspaces and also between vector spaces.
If you want a very good preci of what Linear Algebra actually is, in about a side of A4; just look on Wikipedia under Linear Algebra. I particularly like the graphic at the right hand, top of the page.
Anyway, Linear Algebra: good.
Also, I am now just over 50% of the way through TMA03, for M208, which is all being completed on Mathtype and Word 2010. So, onwards, and upwards. I am planning to get all of Linear Algebra studying and TMA03, completed before the 7th of May, when I am hoping to take a few days off with the family.
Looking back over the last few years, it seems incredible that I started all of this off with just a GCSE in mathematics, as my highest level of maths study. As an exercise in morale boosting last week, I glanced back over my unit books from MST121 last year. I was really surprised to find, that the units appeared relatively simple and very light in content, compared to how I remember them.
I was particularly intrigued by the fact that there was one particular calculus exercise that I didn't understand last year during my study of MST121; but when I looked back at that particular problem last week, I completed it in about 30 seconds, without any need to review the subject matter. Boy, how things have come on in just one year. Who knows what 2013 will hold?
Monday, 16 April 2012
Using Mathtype for TMA's
Today, I have had my first proper go at using the mathematics equation software, Mathtype, in producing a TMA. I am using it to produce TMA03, and I have, so far, completed question 1, worth 10 marks on the subject of Linear Algebra.
I have spent most of the day fiddling around with hot-keys, short-cuts and watching You Tube videos, trying to pick up hints and tips on its use. Although it has taken most of the day to produce such a small amount of work, I am already 300% faster in using Mathtype now, than I was just 12hrs ago.
I have decided to put myself through the pain of learning a new piece of software, mid-course, for several reasons.
Firstly, the amount and level of study that I am doing over the next 4 months, is relatively low, compared to what is on the horizon. This is because, from September and beyond, I ramp up my self-study in physics and maths, and also my official O.U study, to what will amount to the equivalent of 180 points of level 2 and 3 study, within 18 months.
Also, I want to be up, running and using Mathtype (which is fully integrated with my Microsoft Word 2010), well before I need to produce typed coursework for the first time (October 2014, if I take M820 Calculus of Variations).
You see, all MSc TMA's need to be submitted electronically, and Mathtype is a good piece of software, to get me doing this, well before I need to.
Another reason for wanting to practice typing maths, is that I am finding it very tedious handwriting so called 'final' drafts, which I often repeatedly re-write, costing me hours each month.
Also, my current tutor gives a lot of very valuable feedback on each TMA, regarding formatting, content, presentation and conciseness. I therefore want to hone my Mathtype use, whilst I still have access to this tutor. In my 8yrs experience with the O.U, tutors who give excellent feedback, are a rare breed.
And finally, there is another more basic reason for wanting to type my mathematics:
It looks great and feels professional.
I have spent most of the day fiddling around with hot-keys, short-cuts and watching You Tube videos, trying to pick up hints and tips on its use. Although it has taken most of the day to produce such a small amount of work, I am already 300% faster in using Mathtype now, than I was just 12hrs ago.
I have decided to put myself through the pain of learning a new piece of software, mid-course, for several reasons.
Firstly, the amount and level of study that I am doing over the next 4 months, is relatively low, compared to what is on the horizon. This is because, from September and beyond, I ramp up my self-study in physics and maths, and also my official O.U study, to what will amount to the equivalent of 180 points of level 2 and 3 study, within 18 months.
Also, I want to be up, running and using Mathtype (which is fully integrated with my Microsoft Word 2010), well before I need to produce typed coursework for the first time (October 2014, if I take M820 Calculus of Variations).
You see, all MSc TMA's need to be submitted electronically, and Mathtype is a good piece of software, to get me doing this, well before I need to.
Another reason for wanting to practice typing maths, is that I am finding it very tedious handwriting so called 'final' drafts, which I often repeatedly re-write, costing me hours each month.
Also, my current tutor gives a lot of very valuable feedback on each TMA, regarding formatting, content, presentation and conciseness. I therefore want to hone my Mathtype use, whilst I still have access to this tutor. In my 8yrs experience with the O.U, tutors who give excellent feedback, are a rare breed.
And finally, there is another more basic reason for wanting to type my mathematics:
It looks great and feels professional.
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