This week was a strange one for me. We did proofs, so nothing totally different there. However, we also learned about algorithms.
While I have already learned about algorithms and run time to some extent, it was different in how it was explained. We learned run time in steps rather than simply memorizing which algorithms were the quickest and how they worked, though I suspect we'll be doing that later. We actually counted the number of steps it took before the program terminated, which wasn't something I was expecting but something I was okay with. In addition, we talked about input size and how constant factors don't matter. I thought it was interesting; when the topic was mentioned last week, I was afraid of something very, very complicated.
Going back to proofs, this week's tutorial was very helpful. I much more fully understand how to write a proof and how it differs from MAT137. I'm glad we learned the structure last week, and then input the actual proof this week. It was very informative and helped me to work things out. I've still go to practice, but this helped me out more than internet and practice thus far has.
I think, however, my goal for now is to simply get a full 2/2 on those weekly quizzes. I keep making stupid mistakes, but at least I'm learning the material instead of being eternally confused. Still, a 2/2 would be nice. For now, though, I'll keep studying.
Best Wishes,
Dominique
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Week Six, What a Mix
I'm quite enthusiastic with my score on the past test. I did rather well, and I'm glad that all my studying and such paid off. I'm very happy with what I was able to accomplish, even if I'm not totally understanding every single bit of it. I'm getting there.
This week we learned even more about proofs, which admittedly, I'm still poor at. I'm really getting the structure down now, but I don't think I'm really ready to apply it yet (though, I'm quite sure it's probably part of our next tutorial).
I'm currently looking into how to really write a proof--not just a structure, but everything to fill in the blanks. How do you jump from one statement to the next? Can you just reverse it without explanation? Should you explain everything (the scratch work), or just the steps to get to the end? How much work do we show, and how much do we actually need? It's confusing and it varies. Admittedly, it's even more confusing when you're taking MAT137 and the structure, work, and logic can be completely different. I keep mixing the two up.
Anyways, there's not much to talk about this week. I'm ecstatic that I didn't do poorly on the test whatsoever and I'll keep on charging through, but I sincerely hope I start to understand proofs more as we keep going.
Best Wishes!
Dominique
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Week 5... *insert clever title here*
This past week included our first term test and a huge lesson on proofs.
I'll start with the term test, which I honestly thought was much easier than what I was expecting. I was surprised because I'm sure I got most of it (though, just watch me not do so well). I had a really detailed aid sheet that I ended up barely using. I'm sure, though, that copying everything down onto the aid sheet helped me on the test. Overall, I think I did fine, and I don't have to worry about too much.
The lesson however, I'm not so comfortable with. I'm not all the best with proofs, though I think I've got the structure down. While I understand the logic, getting the work done myself is going to be quite hard to learn. I think it all comes down to practicing it, as doing it by myself without notes is a long way away at this point. I'm looking for ways to do proofs easily; MAT137 provides some insight, but they're different in how CSC165 deals with variables moreso than MAT137 (in my opinion). They're also taught in different ways, so I think there's some confusion that results from that.
Overall, though, I think things are going well and I'm mostly keeping on top of things. I'm not exactly sure how to write a problem-solving Polya slog, but I'll get to work on that soon. I've mostly just been looking up things online about how to more easily write proofs and how to think about whether I should be using the contrapositive/contradiction rather than the original statement. Hopefully that suffices.
Best Wishes,
Dominique
I'll start with the term test, which I honestly thought was much easier than what I was expecting. I was surprised because I'm sure I got most of it (though, just watch me not do so well). I had a really detailed aid sheet that I ended up barely using. I'm sure, though, that copying everything down onto the aid sheet helped me on the test. Overall, I think I did fine, and I don't have to worry about too much.
The lesson however, I'm not so comfortable with. I'm not all the best with proofs, though I think I've got the structure down. While I understand the logic, getting the work done myself is going to be quite hard to learn. I think it all comes down to practicing it, as doing it by myself without notes is a long way away at this point. I'm looking for ways to do proofs easily; MAT137 provides some insight, but they're different in how CSC165 deals with variables moreso than MAT137 (in my opinion). They're also taught in different ways, so I think there's some confusion that results from that.
Overall, though, I think things are going well and I'm mostly keeping on top of things. I'm not exactly sure how to write a problem-solving Polya slog, but I'll get to work on that soon. I've mostly just been looking up things online about how to more easily write proofs and how to think about whether I should be using the contrapositive/contradiction rather than the original statement. Hopefully that suffices.
Best Wishes,
Dominique
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Week 4 and Not Ready for More
Originally, I was going to go on a rant about how I'm frustrated with the idea that I really am not understanding the course material as much as I should be. I've been reading the course notes, going over my notes, and applying the knowledge, but it still doesn't seem to be helping me as much as it should be. I've even been doing online research, drawing little comics about negation and such, but I'm not getting it when it comes down to actually using it. So honestly, I'm terrified of our first term test coming up.
Let's see. This week, we learned about bi-implication and distributing it to make an equivalent statement. While I understood it in class and in tutorial, I really couldn't apply it. I've been practicing since then, and I think I got the hang of it, but I sincerely hope I truly understand it and not a convoluted version of it. Transitivity and mixed quantifiers were okay, since I'm doing similar things in MAT137 (admittedly, I often get CSC165 and MAT137 material mixed up). Finding the "Chain", however, for proofs was a bit harder for me. I understand that most likely, the only solution to my utter confusion on these topics is to simply practice applying these things and to ask questions whenever I'm confused.
I know I should be going to office hours, but I've been utterly busy. I know it's a long shot, but if anyone is reading this and has any resources/links they could provide me that'd be useful, I'd very much like to take a look, please.
Also, Assignment 1... what a journey. Hours and hours spent answering and reviewing answers, asking questions on Piazza, and arguing with my partners about what's correct. I must say, however, it really did help a lot in expanding my thoughts on logic and how it could be applied, as confusing as it was.
I'll leave it there for now. I'm sorry my SLOG has turned into a place where I complain about how tough the course material is, but I'll improve on it. I am gradually understanding more and more, I believe, it's simply applying that.
Best Wishes,
Dominique
Let's see. This week, we learned about bi-implication and distributing it to make an equivalent statement. While I understood it in class and in tutorial, I really couldn't apply it. I've been practicing since then, and I think I got the hang of it, but I sincerely hope I truly understand it and not a convoluted version of it. Transitivity and mixed quantifiers were okay, since I'm doing similar things in MAT137 (admittedly, I often get CSC165 and MAT137 material mixed up). Finding the "Chain", however, for proofs was a bit harder for me. I understand that most likely, the only solution to my utter confusion on these topics is to simply practice applying these things and to ask questions whenever I'm confused.
I know I should be going to office hours, but I've been utterly busy. I know it's a long shot, but if anyone is reading this and has any resources/links they could provide me that'd be useful, I'd very much like to take a look, please.
Also, Assignment 1... what a journey. Hours and hours spent answering and reviewing answers, asking questions on Piazza, and arguing with my partners about what's correct. I must say, however, it really did help a lot in expanding my thoughts on logic and how it could be applied, as confusing as it was.
I'll leave it there for now. I'm sorry my SLOG has turned into a place where I complain about how tough the course material is, but I'll improve on it. I am gradually understanding more and more, I believe, it's simply applying that.
Best Wishes,
Dominique
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