<p>Hey guys, I have a question for you. Last semester I had a teacher that loved giving us proofs about precalculus. I understood the material and how to apply it, but the proofs are what really got to me. This semester I am taking another teacher that is teaching me the same subject but I have an A in her class. She doesnt deal with proofs, but makes us apply what we learn. Whats more important? Proof or application? I am looking to be an engineer by the way. </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Ideally, you’ll want to know both the derivation / proof / theory and the ways to apply it.</p>
<p>Engineering is mainly applying math and science, but one has to know enough of the concepts and theory to know how and when a given theorem or technique can be applied.</p>
<p>Of course, given limited class time, an instructor needs to choose some balance. It may be difficult to find the best balance when there are students with different goals (those heading toward pure math or other more math theoretical subjects may prefer a more theory and proof oriented course, while others may prefer a more applied course).</p>
<p>Hey acbalamnus, thanks for the quick response. The funny thing with my old professor, I understood many of the concepts, in fact all the exams were open book. And when I would get a grade that I did not like, I would discuss it with him, tell him and showed up that I understood the material but he would find the slighest mistakes and use them against me. I remember he told me once that I showed that I understood the material, but since I missed class, it wasnt fair to the other students that were there every day. I love math, its my favorite subject, but I still dont understand how I got a low grade on his class which was based on pure proofs.</p>
<p>Looks like the issue you had was not the proofs, since you apparently understood the material, but his grading policy.</p>
<p>If math is your favorite subject, why did you miss class?</p>
<p>A lot of the material he presented was too slow for me. I was like, I know all this stuff. I didnt feel the need to go to class. He was very boring and didnt make math interesting. In fact, a lot of the times he would get really mad at himself for making mistakes. He wasnt a people person and I think it offended him that I didnt go to his class which is understandable because in a way I was saying that I didnt need him to pass the class. Maybe thats why he was very picky with me.</p>