What was the most difficult part of the material for you?
Working backwards through the Euclidean algorithm to find the explicit representation x,y satisfying ax + by = gcd(a,b) can be a little difficult to keep track of. I found it interesting that the book gave another possible algorithm.
What was the most interesting part of the material?
I enjoyed the introduction of fraction notation into modular arithmetic. I have not seen it before, but it makes a lot of sense and will help in simplifying notation.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
1.1-1.2 and 3.1, due on August 29
What was the most difficult part of the material for you?
Much of the basic number theory was review for me, though it is always good to refresh the mind on these essential proofs. Tracking each piece in the Euclidean algorithm can be difficult for me.
What was the most interesting part of the material?
I was happy to see the expansion from "there is no largest prime" to "there are about this many primes". I think the prime number theorem with its estimation formula will prove very useful in this class.
Much of the basic number theory was review for me, though it is always good to refresh the mind on these essential proofs. Tracking each piece in the Euclidean algorithm can be difficult for me.
What was the most interesting part of the material?
I was happy to see the expansion from "there is no largest prime" to "there are about this many primes". I think the prime number theorem with its estimation formula will prove very useful in this class.
Introduction, due on August 29
What is your year in school and major?
I am a junior studying Mathematics.
Which post-calculus math courses have you taken? (Use names or BYU course numbers.)
MATH 290, 313, 314, 334, 341, 342, 371, 372, 513R (IMPACT)
Why are you taking this class? (Be specific.)
I am taking this class for a few reasons. I have done and am doing much research with computation, so so cyber security is a big issue. As well, I have been wanting to learn a computer algebra system and this class will help me get hands on experience. Plus, cryptography seems like it will be a blast!
Do you have experience with Maple, Mathematica, SAGE, or another computer algebra system?
No.
Programming experience? How comfortable are you with using one of these programs to complete homework assignments?
Yes, a lot of Python experience; I am excited to learn SAGE.
Tell me about the math professor or teacher you have had who was the most and/or least effective. What did s/he do that worked so well/poorly?
I had a professor who was very clear in lecture, gave nice examples, explained the intuition, and answered questions clearly and with concern. I thought these were effective attributes.
Write something interesting or unique about yourself.
I am an avid fan of contemporary music.
If you are unable to come to my scheduled office hours, what times would work for you?
2pm any day of the week.
I am a junior studying Mathematics.
Which post-calculus math courses have you taken? (Use names or BYU course numbers.)
MATH 290, 313, 314, 334, 341, 342, 371, 372, 513R (IMPACT)
Why are you taking this class? (Be specific.)
I am taking this class for a few reasons. I have done and am doing much research with computation, so so cyber security is a big issue. As well, I have been wanting to learn a computer algebra system and this class will help me get hands on experience. Plus, cryptography seems like it will be a blast!
Do you have experience with Maple, Mathematica, SAGE, or another computer algebra system?
No.
Programming experience? How comfortable are you with using one of these programs to complete homework assignments?
Yes, a lot of Python experience; I am excited to learn SAGE.
Tell me about the math professor or teacher you have had who was the most and/or least effective. What did s/he do that worked so well/poorly?
I had a professor who was very clear in lecture, gave nice examples, explained the intuition, and answered questions clearly and with concern. I thought these were effective attributes.
Write something interesting or unique about yourself.
I am an avid fan of contemporary music.
If you are unable to come to my scheduled office hours, what times would work for you?
2pm any day of the week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)