<p>Look, I'm really facing a low point in my life right now: I'm a junior math major at a well-known university and I've hit this brick wall called modern algebra. I just don't get the subject at all. I've done outstanding in every other math course up to this point (i.e. Calc, Linear Alg., Diff. Eq., ......), but I just can't grasp the concepts in Modern Algebra. To me it just does not seem like math anymore. I've always been used to following a systematic approach toward problem solving, but in modern alg., I am clueless on how to go about problem solving. My biggest downfall is that I don't even know where to start in the problems assigned from class. I mean, is there a concrete way regarding how to go about showing a proof? This is my first exposure to proof-based mathematics and my professor is not very helpful to say the least. He just assigns us problems that are so abstract, which are not even from the book might I add, and he expects us to understand it with the same brilliant mathematical apprehension that he does. And on top of that, when I ask him for help or show him what I've done so far, he just tells me that I need to be more creative! I am extremely dedicated to my academics and am willing to do what it takes to get through the course, but in the back of my mind I just have this frightening image of not being able to pass the course and having to switch my major as a soon-to-be senior, only to be stuck in undergrad for another 2 and a half years working toward another degree. I'm probably just venting my frustration right now, but has anyone had a similar experience? Or does anybody have any advice or inspiration for me? I appreciate everyone's time.</p>
<p>Math 243? Tell your professor you need help and ask him/her to find someone acing the class to tutor you. Alternatively you can talk to your adviser and get his/her recommendation on how to obtain help. Don't let the problem slide until it becomes too late to remedy. Also, don't let this one class sour your love for math!</p>
<p>I think this is an EXTREMELY common problem encountered by students as they go into more advanced mathematics. Some ideas:</p>
<p>Go to another professor who teaches the course or a department advisor for some help and advice. You are not the first person to have this kind of problem, let me promise you. </p>
<p>Look up some graduate students you may know for some help and advice. Perhaps a former TA.</p>
<p>Work with your fellow classmates as much as possible, form a study group.</p>
<p>Go online for help. There are a lot of math forums. Try this one:
<a href="http://www.physicsforums.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.physicsforums.com/</a></p>
<p>Drop this course, audit it (attend it not for credit), and try again next semester to take it for a grade. </p>
<p>See if there is an applied mathematics major that doesn't require this course, that may be more your forte.</p>
<p>Thanks guys for the advice. I plan to explain my situation to my professor ASAP.</p>
<p>Algebra is probably the first truly abstract math a math student encounters in college. Before you start doubting your abilities, ask yourself: Do you fully understand all the concepts and theorems you've learned? Can you reproduce all the proofs, not from rote memory, but from your understanding of the material? If not, you aren't trying hard enough. Once you can do that, you should be able to figure out how to solve the problems assigned by your prof.</p>
<p>I know that this is not helping you in any way, but I love kids who decide to major in math because they like calc and are then surprised by algebra and analysis...</p>
<p>I was also a math major many many years ago, and hit the wall with a topology course and something then called advanced calculus in Sr. year. I decided to go to law school. My major advisor seemed really relieved when I told her I was finishing the major but bailing out. I ended up a tax lawyer. There is life after a math major. I recently told my S, a college freshman, that no one I know now works in the area they majored in in college.</p>
<p>im currently stuck on a proof and as such find it only appropriate to chime in!</p>
<p>to me, this seems like a two-tiered problem. not only is there the issue of understanding the course material but, on top of that, the issue of actually being able to 'prove' it. in that light, everything would seem quite daunting, wouldnt it?</p>
<p>the first task, as i see it, is getting caught up in terms of understanding the course material. unfortunately, this might mean going back further than the beginning of the book. fortunately, it might mean also that your struggles are not a result of any intellectual shortcomings. more specifically, you may simply lack the background in elementary number and set theories to take off in a typical abstract algebra class at full speed. i could be wrong, but i suspect this is the case and a conversation with someone caring in the math department with more specific knowledge of your background will lead to more precise recommendations.</p>
<p>second, have you taken a class in proof writing? if not, the second task, it appears, is strengthening your background in proofs. will it ever be a concrete exercise like solving a multivariable calculus problem? no. however, there are definitely basic strategies involved that make the process more straight-forward and, thankfully, some good books on the market to help. vellemans 'how to prove it' is probably the best place to start, though there are some good books by eccles ('an introduction to mathematical reasoning') and rodgers ('learning to reason'), too. </p>
<p>hope im not off base here... and good luck!</p>
<p>I was also a math major. It seems like a long long time ago. We were using Roman numerals back then. lol. I rememeber about halfway through some course, I just about had it with it. I couldn't muster up enough energy (or gray matter) to continue. I managed to stick it out and graduated with a math degree, but I also had a second major. And guess what? It's that second major that has been paying my bills to this day.</p>
<p>To the OP, I, too, struggled with abstract algebra at first until I figured out how to study the material like I posted earlier.</p>
<p>Hey, once again thank you all for your insight. Ericatbucknell, I do plan on researching some of the material you suggested for reading because I have not had any prior experience in proof writing. The closest course that can relate is a logic course I took my freshman year, but even that was nowhere near as in depth as modern algebra. With that said, another problem is that I have just been so busy working on my summer internship opportunities and my minor, which is economics. To be completely honest, I am probably most likely to pursue a career in finance & economics. At this point I am just trying to finish what Ive started with this math major, as Ive never been known to quit anything in my life. Finally, yesterday I did in fact lay my situation out on the table with my professor and he agreed to help me through the semester. So Im beginning to feel better about the situation. The most difficult part about the whole situation is that I really do understand the concepts and proofs covered in class. I mean so far there has not been a topic discussed where I remember being completely perplexed, but my problem is that when I go back on my own to construct a proof I am clueless as to where I should begin with it. I suppose it will just take time and practice to figure things out in this course, but once again thank you all for your help.</p>
<p>I'm just starting to get into higher level math (was a math major, recently demoted it to a minor because I'm just not as interested in it as I thought I'd be). If you like doing things by rote, then yes, economics and finance may be a better bet for you.</p>
<p>However, don't give up on your class yet (and it doesn't seem like you're going to). I've been having the same problem, where I understand things when my professor does them, but would never think of doing what he does on my own. According to my professor, that's normal. If I just pay attention to enough of his proofs and practice doing enough of them on my own, I'll make it through.</p>
<p>It's quite a different math than what I'm used to, but I think I like it. I just like my other classes more, and none of the math-related careers really appeal to me, so I switched majors.</p>
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If you like doing things by rote, then yes, economics and finance may be a better bet for you.
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<p>that's sounds kind of insulting, doesn't it? lol </p>
<p>I was going to be a math major. I Agree Algebra is difficult stuff. do you go to cornell?</p>
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If you like doing things by rote, then yes, economics and finance may be a better bet for you.
that's sounds kind of insulting, doesn't it? lol
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<p>Yeah, it does, doesn't it? Sorry to anyone who's in economics/finance - I didn't mean it that way! I just meant that those fields tend to be less...abstract, I guess.</p>