Quote: Original post by Trapper Zoid
I agree with the comments that the scale needs some calibration. If I define 10 to be the level of mathematical understanding held by the best mathematician I know, then I'd rank myself at about a 3. [smile]

I'm going to use your scale, Trapper, and give myself a 2.

Level 2~

I am forcing myself to redo Algebra 1 (Saxon math), to give a clearer picture of my level.

5

My math skills go to eleven.

I don't like the idea of 10 = PhD. Namely because at that level your mathematics skills are going to be in a very narrowly focused field, such as Commutative Rings, Fluid Dynamics, Generating Functions, etc. Being a skilled algebraist does not make one necessarily inclined to be a skilled analyst or statistician. Certain people have specific areas that they excel in. Myself, am quite fond of Analysis whereas a fellow student is better at the abstract fields of mathematics.

That being said, I would probably rate myself an 8.


EDIT:

I just noticed Trapper Zoid held a similar opinion to mine. Also being a student of mathematics, I'm inclined to think that maybe (perhaps) those outside the field seem to think that upper level mathematics is simply filled with courses like the introductory Calculus courses taught to most engineering and science students. Much like those outside the realm of chemistry may confuse Chemistry with the act of mixing an acid and base to produce a salt and water. The field of mathematics is simply stunningly huge. How much mathematics there is to learn is enough to overwhelm anyone. The topic of Combinatorics (which every computer scientist is probably intimate with) goes well beyond just finding solutions to counting problems. Some interesting problems in combinatorics end up being related to Group theory (which is in a whole other class of mathematics itself). Group Theory leads to Ring Theory, which shows up occasionally in analysis. So, while any mathematician will have a basic understanding of these topics they will rarely have great understanding of all of them.

4 - 3i

I got a math minor with my cs degree. So that's 3 Calculus courses, matrix theory, discrete math, numerical analysis, and 2 statistics courses.

I made good scores in those classes at the time, but if I were to retake the finals on any of the courses today, without a doubt, I would fail them.

Right now I'm also taking a graduate level discrete math course, aimed at CS students (you can check it out here). It's kicking my butt.

So given all that, I'd have to give myself something in the range of 1 to 3.

Quote: Original post by Naxos
I got a math minor with my cs degree. So that's 3 Calculus courses, matrix theory, discrete math, numerical analysis, and 2 statistics courses.

Math minors are different for every major and university. My math minor for CS is only 2 calculus courses, discrete math, linear algebra, and statistical methods. 8 classes compared to my 5 classes. :\

Me?

That photo is epic! My math skills are; well- from irrational numbers on I'm lost..