Maths prep for uni?

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  1. torakrubik's Avatar
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    Maths prep for uni?
    By the time i go to uni I'll have done FP1 and FP2 (edexcel) and I'm looking to do a maths degree of some kind. Now i know further maths will give me an initial advantage, and i was just wondering if it's worth self teaching myself FP3 during the summertime. Not to do an exam in or anything, just for understanding the ideas. I'm guessing i'll cover most of the content at uni anyways, but i was wondering how much of a headstart it might give me?
  2. Mr M's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    Well it's not going to hurt is it?

    A better use of your time might be to read this book:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Concise-In.../dp/1584881933
  3. Jake22's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    One of the best things you can do to prepare for university to maths is to try and get a headstart on learning linear algebra. It is the one subject that will crop up in nearly everything you might do and also the one subject that many students fail to ever learn properly.

    For example, the first couple of chapters of http://www.math.ubc.ca/~carrell/NB.pdf should be pretty readable for a beginner.
  4. torakrubik's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    Thank you both for the links and advice, I'll be sure to check them out properly when exams are over
  5. SubAtomic's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    Saved me starting a thread with a similar question:cool: Although I hope to go read Maths and Economics not straight Maths.

    Already have this which has helped me in my current maths course.

    (Original post by torakrubik)
    ...
    Cannot remember where I found this but attached a pdf for ya:cool:
    Attached Files
  6. File Type: pdf Maths for Uni booklet.pdf (612.2 KB, 26 views)
  7. Last edited by SubAtomic; 21-05-2012 at 15:42.
  8. SubAtomic's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    (Original post by Mr M)
    Well it's not going to hurt is it?

    A better use of your time might be to read this book:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Concise-In.../dp/1584881933

    (Original post by Jake22)
    One of the best things you can do to prepare for university to maths is to try and get a headstart on learning linear algebra. It is the one subject that will crop up in nearly everything you might do and also the one subject that many students fail to ever learn properly.

    For example, the first couple of chapters of http://www.math.ubc.ca/~carrell/NB.pdf should be pretty readable for a beginner.
    Would you two say these books/pdfs are mostly understandable after A level maths? Or would study of FP1-3 be beneficial in understanding the topics covered?
  9. Jake22's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    (Original post by SubAtomic)
    Would you two say these books/pdfs are mostly understandable after A level maths? Or would study of FP1-3 be beneficial in understanding the topics covered?
    They both start from scratch, so yes, they should be readable after A level maths.
  10. Mr M's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    (Original post by SubAtomic)
    Would you two say these books/pdfs are mostly understandable after A level maths? Or would study of FP1-3 be beneficial in understanding the topics covered?
    Understandable without FP1-3.
  11. langy1's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    I'm off to do maths this September and our further maths teacher suggested that we come in for a short while after all our exams so we can go through FP3 to bridge the gap I guess between uni and a-levels.
  12. SubAtomic's Avatar
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    Re: Maths prep for uni?
    (Original post by Jake22)
    They both start from scratch, so yes, they should be readable after A level maths.

    (Original post by Mr M)
    Understandable without FP1-3.
    Good to know. Thank you :cool:
    Last edited by SubAtomic; 21-05-2012 at 19:22.
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