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Oxford MAT 2013/2014

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Reply 1980
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Original post by NewtonsApple
Let N=2.

Now, V can take only one value: V=1. This is both the maximum and the minimum possible value of V.

Now, let N=3. Again, V can take only one value: V=4. And again this is both the maximum and minimum value of V.

Whatever expressions you come up for the maximum and minimum values of V must both satisfy max(1)=min(1)=1 and max(2)=min(2)=4.


In the border cases it just comes down to how you define stuff. I think you should get V=|1-2|+|2-1|=2 for the configuration 1,2. Then min2=2 and min3=4, which is fine.

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Original post by souktik
In the border cases it just comes down to how you define stuff. I think you should get V=|1-2|+|2-1|=2 for the configuration 1,2. Then min2=2 and min3=4, which is fine.

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I think for n=2 the pairwise difference between two terms yields one modulus sign.

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Reply 1982
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Original post by NewtonsApple
I think for n=2 the pairwise difference between two terms yields one modulus sign.

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It comes down to your definition of V. I would think that it's neat to define it as the sum of |a_j - a_(j-1)| over j from 1 to n. The indices are taken modulo n, of course. Do you object to such a definition of V? If you do, what alternative do you propose?

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Original post by souktik
In the border cases it just comes down to how you define stuff. I think you should get V=|1-2|+|2-1|=2 for the configuration 1,2. Then min2=2 and min3=4, which is fine.

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If you define it that way, which is wrong, then u count each difference twice which gives a wrong answer when n=5,6 etc.

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Reply 1984
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Original post by NewtonsApple
If you define it that way, which is wrong, then u count each difference twice which gives a wrong answer when n=5,6 etc.

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Lol, no, you misunderstood the purpose of the double-count. Please look at my previous post and see the definition of V that I'm assuming.

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Original post by souktik
Lol, no, you misunderstood the purpose of the double-count. Please look at my previous post and see the definition of V that I'm assuming.

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Wow you replied quickly. I hadn't seen your post sorry, but yes I still object to it. If you look carefully you can see we posted at the same time :tongue:

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(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by souktik
Lol, no, you misunderstood the purpose of the double-count. Please look at my previous post and see the definition of V that I'm assuming.

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The question explicitly states V is the sum of the positive differences between the heights of two neighbouring dwarves. Your notation is wrong for n=2 I'm afraid. If you used that notation you are changing the question. :tongue: I would recommend finding a universal formula which works for all n. Note the properties of the sums, namely as n increases that V increases. Try out some stuff.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by nahomyemane778
I have applied to Balliol.
My insurance shall be Imperial or Warwick.
Yourself?


I'll probably take an insurance to be Imperial or LSE altho I haven't heard from either yet. If I don't get an offer from Oxford I'll stay at Warwick. I applied to Merton cos apparently it has great accommodation provided on campus throughout your time at Oxford, apparently. :eek:
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 1988
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Original post by NewtonsApple
The question explicitly states V is the sum of the positive differences between the heights of two neighbouring dwarves. Your notation is wrong for n=2 I'm afraid. If you used that notation you are changing the question. :tongue: I would recommend finding a universal formula which works for all n. Note the properties of the sums, namely as n increases that V increases. Try out some stuff.


Then treat n=2 as a crazy boundary case, it holds for all other n.

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May I ask how many applicants applied this year altogether for maths and joint schools?

Original post by OxfordMathsDept
Attention obtained!

For Maths and our joint schools (Stats & Phil) it's looking like we're interviewing around 54% of applicants.
Original post by qwertyuiopg
May I ask how many applicants applied this year altogether for maths and joint schools?


We had around 1250 applicants this year.
Reply 1991
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Original post by OxfordMathsDept
We had around 1250 applicants this year.


Is that for maths, maths and stats, maths and phil and maths and compsci
Original post by OxfordMathsDept
We had around 1250 applicants this year.


Thank you very much! Do you know (or are you allowed to tell us) the average mat score for those interviewed?
Original post by qwertyuiopg
Thank you very much! Do you know (or are you allowed to tell us) the average mat score for those interviewed?


That information will get released in the general feedback for the MAT some time in January.
Original post by OxfordMathsDept
That information will get released in the general feedback for the MAT some time in January.


Alright Thanks. Sorry for all the questions, I'm just extremely nervous, since I don't think I did too well in the MAT (only around 60)!
Original post by qwertyuiopg
Alright Thanks. Sorry for all the questions, I'm just extremely nervous, since I don't think I did too well in the MAT (only around 60)!


No worries! I'll repeat what I've said elsewhere that, at the end of the day, everyone who has been invited to interview is still in the running.

If you look at last year's MAT stats the average amongst successful applicants was 68.2. That means around half the successful applicants had an MAT lower than that (by definition).

I'm still very impressed that people seem to know their score when we've not released a mark scheme!
Do we find out our 2nd assigned college at the interview?
And also should I revise FP1?
Thanks.
Original post by OxfordMathsDept
No worries! I'll repeat what I've said elsewhere that, at the end of the day, everyone who has been invited to interview is still in the running.

If you look at last year's MAT stats the average amongst successful applicants was 68.2. That means around half the successful applicants had an MAT lower than that (by definition).

I'm still very impressed that people seem to know their score when we've not released a mark scheme!


Thank you for being so helpful, I think its amazing to have the maths admissions coordinator on tsr to help out!

Was wondering if you could help me out with some queries about the interview process, if possible. As I'm a gap year applicant does that mean I would have to prepare for further maths interview questions, applied mathematics and/or university level questions? I am very grateful for your advice, because I havent mentioned university or applied maths in my personal statement, and I wouldnt want to be caught out! Thank you.
Reply 1998
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Noble.
17
Original post by NewtonsApple
Thank you for being so helpful, I think its amazing to have the maths admissions coordinator on tsr to help out!

Was wondering if you could help me out with some queries about the interview process, if possible. As I'm a gap year applicant does that mean I would have to prepare for further maths interview questions, applied mathematics and/or university level questions? I am very grateful for your advice, because I havent mentioned university or applied maths in my personal statement, and I wouldnt want to be caught out! Thank you.


It's unlikely, simply for the reason that tutors want to standardise the interviews. They, ideally, want to ask everyone the same questions, so when they score everyone out of 9 on their interview performance, they have a real basis to compare applicants. I applied during a gap year and was worried about what I might get asked, but the interview questions are so far removed from the question you get during A-Level, it was never really relevant.
Original post by Noble.
It's unlikely, simply for the reason that tutors want to standardise the interviews. They, ideally, want to ask everyone the same questions, so when they score everyone out of 9 on their interview performance, they have a real basis to compare applicants. I applied during a gap year and was worried about what I might get asked, but the interview questions are so far removed from the question you get during A-Level, it was never really relevant.


Noble will the interview be: brief greeting then maths problems?

I really dont want there to be much chitchat like
Why do you want to study maths? You mentioned this in your PS... etc

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