Solving problems.

geurrp the yard

Ok so when i did maths for the leaving cert or when i was doing the maths
modules in my degree (engineering) I always found that once i looked at
the solution to a problem, Id have a fair idea on how to do similar problems.
The thing is if i hadnt got the solution in front of me, id struggle to logically understand how to solve the problem.

So In your own experience, Does this make it a wrong way of learning/Doing maths that i need to have the solution infront of me to understand on how to do the problem or would you find it the lazy method of doing maths ?

alan4cult

geurrp the yard wrote: »

Ok so when i did maths for the leaving cert or when i was doing the maths
modules in my degree (engineering) I always found that once i looked at
the solution to a problem, Id have a fair idea on how to do similar problems.
The thing is if i hadnt got the solution in front of me, id struggle to logically understand how to solve the problem.

So In your own experience, Does this make it a wrong way of learning/Doing maths that i need to have the solution infront of me to understand on how to do the problem or would you find it the lazy method of doing maths ?

It isn't necessarily a lazy way of doing maths but more a confidence drowner. If you spend your time looking at solutions you may be afraid to venture into your own methods. I think maybe you want the solution a little too quickly. Sometimes it takes a while to logically work out an approach to a specific problem.

Fremen

It doesn't hurt to look at solutions, but by far the best way to learn is to find the solution yourself, the hard way.

I spent about six hours trying to solve a single integral recently. I didn't manage to get it, but someone showed me a nice technique to solve it. Because of all the effort I put in myself, I'll never forget that technique. If I had seen the solution straight off, I probably would have shrugged and forgot about it within an hour.

(for the curious, it was this: )

Michael Collins

Yeh, exactly what Freman said pretty much. Looking at the solution straight off is the lazy way, there's no doubt. But if you try it for a while, don't spend too long, but give it a decent go, who knows you might even get it out yourself - or at least when you look at the solution it'll more than likely make much more sense than looking at it cold. And of course like Freman says you'll remember it better that way too, not necessarily the solution itself but certaintly the method.

It's important when you're trying to solve something to give yourself time too. Don't say "Well i'm giving myself 20 minutes and if i don't have it by then I'm looking up the answer!". If possible have a few goes at it, say give it 30 mins and if you still don't have it come back later, maybe even the next day, and give it another 30 mins. I've often attempted a problem, not been able to solve it, and yet woke up the next morning with the solution in my head! (Although when that happens you know you've got serious issues.)

(for the curious, it was this: http://wilmott.com/EquationImages/7385_62916_26_02052009.gif)

Ahh! Does that have a closed form solution? I'm thinking some Gaussian integral type solutions but this is even a bit more crazy than that! What is the solution Freman? (Yes I've spent my 30 minutes on it...)

Grudaire

Fremen wrote: »

(for the curious, it was this: )

Do you get gamma in the answer!?

Michael Collins

Cliste wrote: »

Do you get gamma in the answer!?

Or the Error Function erf()!?

Fremen

Erf, yes. Gamma, no.