Real analysis vs Algebra and Number Theory

[briz626]

Has anyone done these 2 units?
How did you find them?
Thanks

[Bri MT]

Hey, have you looked at the Monash subject review thread?
If the units you are looking for aren't there you can always request them in the thread dedicated for that. Both of these threads are stickied (orange and at the top of the Monash section) so hopefully they are easy to find.

If subject reviews don't give you the information you want, you might want to clarify what you're looking for

Hope this helps

[keltingmeith]

Second the above advice^

I also know a fair bit about both, and it kind of depends on what you want. What are you hoping to get out of one of these units? Do you intend to do a maths major? What kind of maths major? Do you just want something to finish off a minor? An easy throwaway subject?

[briz626]

Second the above advice^
 What are you hoping to get out of one of these units? Do you intend to do a maths major? What kind of maths major? Do you just want something to finish off a minor? An easy throwaway subject?

I'm thinking of a math major but not to sure of my ability. I've done 2010 only and planning to do either Real Analysis or Algebra and Number Theory along side MTH2132 and MTH2021. I will also need some time off (probably 4 weeks) due to medical stuff but I've gotten some resources and starting early. I just want a math major so I can do masters of teaching afterwards.

[Floatzel98]

I think its easy to say that Algebra is a lot easier than Real. Ian is really laid back, and Norm puts a lot of effort in and makes it fun. I'd say Algebra 2 is more on par with Real in terms of difficulty than Algebra 1 is.

The assessment structure for Algebra is a little different though, with weekly assignments. Real usually has 3 assignments and 2 'projects'.

And I don't know if the handbook entries are totally accurate at this point, but it seems that Jerome has kept a 70% exam for Real, as apposed to all the other math units now having a 60% exam.

[briz626]

I think its easy to say that Algebra is a lot easier than Real. Ian is really laid back, and Norm puts a lot of effort in and makes it fun. I'd say Algebra 2 is more on par with Real in terms of difficulty than Algebra 1 is.

The assessment structure for Algebra is a little different though, with weekly assignments. Real usually has 3 assignments and 2 'projects'.

And I don't know if the handbook entries are totally accurate at this point, but it seems that Jerome has kept a 70% exam for Real, as apposed to all the other math units now having a 60% exam.

Honestly, thanks so much for this.

I'm going through the number theory background notes and it's very difficult so far. It's taken me 2 whole days to get through 7 pages (only understanding about 5) since mods, algorithms and just how different it is to calculus which I have done for a very long time. There's also a lot of symbols and terminology (injectivity, congruency etc..) which I've never seen before and it's there with no definition.

Just out of interest, do you think this is one of the more easier third year math units (as opposed to stuff like topology, fluid dynamics, PDE etc)?

[Floatzel98]

Honestly, thanks so much for this.

I'm going through the number theory background notes and it's very difficult so far. It's taken me 2 whole days to get through 7 pages (only understanding about 5) since mods, algorithms and just how different it is to calculus which I have done for a very long time. There's also a lot of symbols and terminology (injectivity, congruency etc..) which I've never seen before and it's there with no definition.

Just out of interest, do you think this is one of the more easier third year math units (as opposed to stuff like topology, fluid dynamics, PDE etc)?

I do agree that some of those topics are probably difficult the first time you see them (especially reading them from notes), but the they get easy after exposure to them in tutes. Ian goes through the modulo operation a lot though since its used in all parts of the course. The algorithms (especially Euclid's) aren't too bad at all once you see how they are done through examples. Yeah it is very different from most other math. The algebra component does help out a little bit with linear algebra, at least at the beginning when you go over vector spaces.  Norm does a good job with explaining the concepts he brings up though, so I wouldn't worry too much if you don't understand something straight away.

I'm assuming you are looking at first semester units? Yeah I'd say it is one of the easier units. Fluid is probably one of the hardest. I've heard mixed things about PDEs, but it probably wouldn't be too hard if you enjoyed/understood PDEs in MTH2032. I don't think it is very rigorous. I thoroughly enjoyed Complex Analysis and would recommend that. I'm doing Differential Geometry this semester and have heard good things about that; it is run well and quite self contained.

[briz626]

I do agree that some of those topics are probably difficult the first time you see them (especially reading them from notes), but the they get easy after exposure to them in tutes. Ian goes through the modulo operation a lot though since its used in all parts of the course. The algorithms (especially Euclid's) aren't too bad at all once you see how they are done through examples. Yeah it is very different from most other math. The algebra component does help out a little bit with linear algebra, at least at the beginning when you go over vector spaces.  Norm does a good job with explaining the concepts he brings up though, so I wouldn't worry too much if you don't understand something straight away.

I'm assuming you are looking at first semester units? Yeah I'd say it is one of the easier units. Fluid is probably one of the hardest. I've heard mixed things about PDEs, but it probably wouldn't be too hard if you enjoyed/understood PDEs in MTH2032. I don't think it is very rigorous. I thoroughly enjoyed Complex Analysis and would recommend that. I'm doing Differential Geometry this semester and have heard good things about that; it is run well and quite self contained.

I didn't do MTH2032 or plan to since it's second semester.
I just checked Complex Analysis and I thought Real Analysis was required but it isn't so I'll probably take your advice and do that. I'm just worried my mathematical abilities won't be good enough for a major. I've always liked math and always said, ideally I'd like to major in math but was never confident enough but now, math is the only major which will let me take a lot of time off without having a huge amount of marks deducted (unlike missing labs in chem or bio).

I'm glad to hear about Algebra and Number Theory, I think I will stick with it, do my best and see what happens.