What to brush up on before taking Vector Analysis

AuburnMathTutor
Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:14:09 +0000

“I suggest that when you take these math courses, you understand that they have real world applications and are not just theoretical constructs. I find too many of my students while able to manipulate divergence, curls etc have absolutely no understanding of what they really mean and how they are used.”

Really?

I find it’s much more of a problem that students in the “service” math courses don’t understand or appreciate the theory and instead become obsessed with applications and utility to the point of willful ignorance. I’d say go into the course with an open mind, and look for applications - actually look, don’t just complain if you don’t see any off hand - and if there are no applications then, well, learn it anyway. You’re paying good money for it, after all.