Engineers in math class be like...

Zach Star
27 Dec 201907:37
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script revolves around a student's humorous and relatable journey through a calculus class, highlighting the challenges of understanding complex mathematical concepts like limits and irrational numbers. The student's creative, yet misguided, attempt to prove a theorem and the subsequent struggle with exam preparation are depicted. The video also promotes an educational platform, Brilliant, which offers advanced math courses to help students grasp difficult topics through visual animations and real-world examples, emphasizing the importance of a solid understanding of math for engineering and other fields.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The discussion revolves around the concept of limits in mathematics and the challenges of proving theorems, such as the irrationality of the square root of 2.
  • 😅 A humorous anecdote about a student's failed attempt at proving a theorem by simply writing 'QED' (a term used to signify the completion of a proof) is shared.
  • 🎓 The importance of understanding and being able to apply mathematical concepts, rather than just memorizing them, is emphasized.
  • 🤔 The script highlights the student's struggle with the practical applications of mathematical concepts and their relevance to real-world situations.
  • 📈 A scenario is presented where a student tries to calculate the minimum grade they need on a final exam to pass, considering the weight of quizzes and the possibility of curve adjustments.
  • 🧠 The stress and pressure of performing well in a calculus class, particularly the 'hardest part of Calc 2', are depicted.
  • 😵 The anxiety and uncertainty before and during an exam are conveyed, along with the hope for a favorable grading curve.
  • 🎥 A brief mention of a video sponsorship by Brilliant.org, an educational platform offering courses in math, science, and engineering.
  • 🌐 The benefits of Brilliant.org's visual animations and real-world examples in teaching advanced math concepts are highlighted.
  • 🎁 The script mentions the possibility of gifting a Brilliant premium subscription to inspire and encourage lifelong learning.
  • 📊 A special offer for the first 200 people to sign up with a discount on the Brilliant.org annual premium subscription is announced.
Q & A
  • What is the main topic of discussion in the script?

    -The main topic of discussion in the script is about limits in calculus, specifically focusing on the concept of epsilon proofs and their applications.

  • What is the humorous incident mentioned in the script related to the proof of the irrationality of the square root of 2?

    -The humorous incident is that a student attempted to prove the irrationality of the square root of 4 as a joke, instead of the square root of 2, which was the original task.

  • How does the student plan to optimize their study efforts for the final exam?

    -The student plans to optimize their study efforts by calculating the upper and lower bounds on the final exam score needed to pass the class, based on the quizzes' weightage and the potential for curve adjustments.

  • What is the significance of visual animations and real-world examples in learning advanced math concepts?

    -Visual animations and real-world examples are significant in learning advanced math concepts as they help to simplify complex ideas and make them more relatable, thus facilitating a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

  • What is the platform mentioned in the script that hosts courses in math, science, and engineering?

    -The platform mentioned in the script is Brilliant.org, an educational platform that offers courses in math, science, and engineering.

  • What does the student hope to achieve with the curve of the final exam?

    -The student hopes that the curve of the final exam will be favorable, allowing them to achieve a higher grade despite potentially not performing well on the exam itself.

  • What is the student's strategy for tackling the final exam questions?

    -The student's strategy is to aim for a high score on the questions they feel confident about, and attempt to make up for any points they might lose on other questions by focusing on areas where they have a better grasp.

  • What is the significance of the 'Brilliant' platform's approach to teaching technical information?

    -The 'Brilliant' platform's approach to teaching technical information through visual animations and real-world examples is designed to maximize comprehension and retention of even the most advanced concepts.

  • How does the student feel about the potential outcome of the final exam?

    -The student is anxious and uncertain about the final exam outcome, hoping for a favorable curve and a good performance despite feeling unprepared.

  • What is the promotion mentioned in the script for the first 200 people who sign up with the platform?

    -The promotion mentioned is a 20% discount off their annual premium subscription for the first 200 people who sign up with the platform using the provided link.

  • What is the name of the channel that the speaker did a collaboration with?

    -The name of the channel that the speaker did a collaboration with is 'Flammable Mass'.

Outlines
00:00
😅 Struggles with Limits and Proofs

The speaker discusses their experience with a math class, specifically focusing on limits and epsilon proofs. They mention a humorous incident where a friend asked for a proof that the square root of 2 is irrational, but received nonsense in response. The speaker then shares their own unconventional approach to proving the irrationality of the square root of 4, which was dismissed by their teacher. The paragraph also touches on the speaker's frustration with the lack of real-world applications in math and their confusion about the grading system, including the impact of dropped quizzes and final exam curves.

05:07
😓 Desperation in Calculus and the Quest for a Passing Grade

This paragraph delves into the speaker's anxiety and strategic thinking as they approach their calculus final. The speaker is struggling with the material, particularly the parts of the course that involve calculating requirements for a passing grade. They discuss the weight of quizzes and the uncertainty of how the final exam will be curved based on the performance of the entire class. The speaker also contemplates various scenarios to optimize their study efforts and final grade, highlighting the pressure and competitiveness of the academic environment.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡epsilon proof
An epsilon proof is a method used in mathematics to demonstrate that a statement about limits is true. In the context of the video, it is mentioned as a topic that the speaker's class covered, but the speaker humorously admits they did not fully grasp it, as they tried to prove a different concept instead.
💡irrational numbers
Irrational numbers are real numbers that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers, meaning they cannot be written in the form of a simple fraction. The concept is central to the video as the speaker talks about their class covering the proof of the irrationality of the square root of 2, and humorously mentions proving the irrationality of the square root of 4 instead.
💡completeness
In mathematics, completeness refers to the property of a set of axioms or a mathematical theory that allows for the resolution of any statement made within the theory. The video script humorously alludes to the concept when mentioning the proof of the irrationality of the square root of 2, which is a result of the completeness of real numbers.
💡proof
A proof is a logical argument that demonstrates the truth of a statement or theorem. In the video, the concept of proof is central as the speaker discusses their attempts at constructing mathematical proofs, albeit with a humorous twist.
💡QED
QED stands for 'quod erat demonstrandum,' a Latin phrase used at the end of a mathematical proof to indicate that the proposition has been demonstrated or proven. In the video, the speaker humorously mentions their teacher's response to their 'proof' by simply rewriting the question and putting a QED underneath it.
💡applications
In the context of the video, applications refer to the practical uses or real-world relevance of mathematical concepts being studied. The speaker questions the relevance of the concepts they are learning, asking for real-world applications that could be used in their daily life.
💡optimization
Optimization is the process of finding the best solution or solution set from a set of possible solutions, typically to maximize or minimize a particular value. In the video, the concept is humorously applied to the speaker's strategy for studying and preparing for their calculus exam.
💡curve
In an academic context, a curve refers to the adjustment of grades on a test or assignment to ensure a certain distribution of scores, often to maintain a standard deviation or mean. The speaker in the video expresses hope that the curve will be in their favor after receiving a poor grade on their final exam.
💡calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with the study of change and motion, and it includes the analysis of functions, limits, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. The video's main theme revolves around the challenges and humorous aspects of learning calculus, specifically 'Calc 2'.
💡quizzes
Quizzes are short tests or examinations that are used to assess a student's understanding of a particular subject or topic. In the video, the speaker is concerned about the impact of their quizzes on the overall grade for their calculus class.
💡final exam
The final exam is a comprehensive test at the end of a course, designed to assess a student's overall understanding of the material covered throughout the term. In the video, the speaker is anxious about their performance on the calculus final exam and its potential impact on their grade.
Highlights

Continue with limits topic in class

Informal humor in the classroom with the mention of sponsored content

Discussion on epsilon proofs and limits

Misunderstanding in class about the proof of square root of 2 being irrational

Student's creative but incorrect approach to proving a mathematical concept

Classroom interaction about the process of learning and understanding mathematical proofs

Discussion on the applications of mathematical concepts in real life

Student's confusion and frustration with the course material

Explanation of how to calculate grades and final scores in a course

Use of comparison tests to estimate study time and effort

Optimization of final grade to effort ratio

Discussion on the unpredictability of grading curves

Student's strategy for tackling difficult exam questions

Reflection on the importance of understanding class material

Promotion of an educational platform, Brilliant.org, for advanced math courses

Mention of a special offer for the first 200 people signing up through a specific link

Transcripts
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