- #1
Matzematze
- 2
- 0
I've come to these forums a lot, but I don't think I've ever really posted--so here goes number one.
I am a freshman in a large public university, and I just recently switched over to mathematics/economics as my majors. I was originally an engineering major, but I abandoned ship because it was way too practical for me (weird, I know...). I just finished multivariable calculus, and I did fairly well in it (A+) which prompted me to consider studying mathematics more rigorously. I never really liked math; I saw it as a bunch of rules mainly because that's how it was always taught to me. Though, I'm really interested now because I've realized mathematics is the language of every science. I've come to believe (inform me if I'm wrong) that I can penetrate into any science by picking up a book insofar as I know the underlying mathematics.
So I have a few questions: Would you say that everyone is capable of learning very high-end mathematics and proofs? If you think not everyone is capable, what percentage of the population do you think can fully understand Maxwell's equations, real analysis etc..? I do find myself struggling sometimes, but I'm not sure if this is normal or not.
How do I go about learning math on my own? Should I buy textbooks? Just solve a ton of problems until I develop the intuition? Just wait 4 years by going through college?
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Just chime in with whatever insights/personal experiences to add to the discussion.
I am a freshman in a large public university, and I just recently switched over to mathematics/economics as my majors. I was originally an engineering major, but I abandoned ship because it was way too practical for me (weird, I know...). I just finished multivariable calculus, and I did fairly well in it (A+) which prompted me to consider studying mathematics more rigorously. I never really liked math; I saw it as a bunch of rules mainly because that's how it was always taught to me. Though, I'm really interested now because I've realized mathematics is the language of every science. I've come to believe (inform me if I'm wrong) that I can penetrate into any science by picking up a book insofar as I know the underlying mathematics.
So I have a few questions: Would you say that everyone is capable of learning very high-end mathematics and proofs? If you think not everyone is capable, what percentage of the population do you think can fully understand Maxwell's equations, real analysis etc..? I do find myself struggling sometimes, but I'm not sure if this is normal or not.
How do I go about learning math on my own? Should I buy textbooks? Just solve a ton of problems until I develop the intuition? Just wait 4 years by going through college?
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Just chime in with whatever insights/personal experiences to add to the discussion.