How to succeed in Math 53?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

I just finished my first semester at Cal. I took Math 54 this past semester and ended with a C+ (I was 1% away from a B- so I’m still salty :/). I’m really nervous about Math 53 as I’ve heard from a few people that it’s harder than 54…

I’m really disappointed about my performance in 54, especially since I always felt like math was one of my strongest subjects in high school. I feel like I just wasn’t understanding a lot of the abstract linear algebra concepts well and didn’t study the right way. Therefore I need tips on how to do well in Math 53. What’s the best way to study and what should I start reviewing during break?

Thank you!

2

There are a ton of videos on YouTube for Math 53. In fact a lot of them are Frenkel’s lectures, if you’re taking Frenkel. I’ve heard both Frenkel and Zworski are pretty good.

3

I actually found Math 53 bit easier than 54. Math 54 were essentially 2 classes with different subjects force-meshed into one class which made it feel more than 4 units.
For Math 53, it uses the same Stewart textbook from Math 1B/Calc BC so it felt like a continuation of the subject. As for the professors and lectures, I was part of the 2009 Professor Frenkel’s video series and honestly I don’t know which lecture that I didn’t fall asleep. Likely I wasn’t a good student, but if Professor Frenkel is considered ‘good’, then I don’t know what to say for other professors. Like most Berkeley classes, the lectures are interesting once you already know the material with professors explaining in the most fundamental and methodical manner, but not so fun if you’re learning the subject brand new or unprepared.
To answer your question, multivariable calculus is a fairly ‘basic’ subject offered and explained everywhere. If there is a particular concept that you don’t get, then there are virtually unlimited online resources that can explain better. There are also copious amount of past exams with solutions from TBP alone. Spend some good amount of time seeing ways that you couldn’t have figured out yourself, and it’s hard to get a bad grade with that level of preparation.