Today was dedicated to reading in my calculus textbook. I read the first two sections of chapter two, which introduce the idea of limits, as well as an appendix that covers its rigorous definition. I didn’t have any particularly interesting thoughts about them, unless you count “Hey, look at me! I’m doing calculus again.” And that put me in mind of this fun video I’ve shared before:
Category: Updates
Preparation
Today I was tired. During my study time, I read through the review exercises for the textbook chapter I am wrapping up; I chose which ones I will do, but did not start work on them. I also read more of Infinite Powers, in which Strogatz has begun to discuss calculus in its modern form. In the section I read today, he explained how the discovery of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, which links derivatives and integrals, made it possible to calculate many integrals which had previously been beyond reach.
I apologize for not replying to comments for the past month or so. Things have been thingish, as readers of this blog will know. I think I’ve now answered everything.
Time Management
Today I worked on but did not finish the last of the exercises on parametric curves. Time just got away from me today, and I didn’t start my study until late in the afternoon despite having an evening commitment. I did get some non-math things done, though, so the day was not a total flop.
Exercise of the Day
Today I worked on more exercises related to parametric curves. I also did some thinking about this blog and how I can keep it useful and interesting. I came up with a new idea to try over the next couple of weeks: on days when I do exercises from my textbook and don’t have any other math to share, I’m going to choose one of the most interesting of the exercises to include in my day’s blog entry. This will give me more of the feeling of communicating about math that I find motivating and will also make posts more fun for readers. (That’ll be fun, right?)
I actually do have some other math to share today, but I have left blogging until too late in the evening, so I’m going to have to keep it for tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Perfect Numbers
Today I read about perfect numbers and some related concepts in an online textbook called Elementary Number Theory that is available from LibreTexts. It was good to have a refresher on some of the finer points.
I will not be studying or blogging Tuesday or Wednesday because I will be busy wrapping up my house sitting and traveling home. I will return either Thursday or Friday, depending on how long it takes me to get settled again.
ETA: I have decided to return Monday, as some new commitments came up after I made this post.
Sticktuitive
Today was hard again, though I did get some needed tasks done. I almost didn’t do any math study, but in the end I read some of Infinite Powers. Not what I aim at, but something.
Day of the Naps
Today was another of my periodic sleepy days, and my study time was compressed. I did not quite finish the section of exercises I worked on yesterday, but I still spent some time reading the following section, which covers parametric curves. Those were always an afterthought in my mathematical education, and I found them a bit mysterious. They are making more sense this time, I think.
According to Plan
As planned, I read Infinite Powers today.
Monday, Monday
Today I read more of Infinite Powers. Part of the section I read discussed logarithms, which is the subject of my current chunk of my calculus book. A happy coincidence.
I’m going to plan to read more of IP tomorrow. I’ll try again to get myself in gear on Monday.
Plateau
Today I read more of Infinite Powers. I fear this blog is becoming very boring.