<p>Hi everybody,
I am good at math, enjoy it, and want to major in it, and use it in my career. I really excelled in Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and PreCalc w/Trig(We did no proofs in any of these classes). I hated Geometry because of all of the proofs. I would eventually like to work in finance, doing something where math is heavily involved. So I plan on doing a double major with finance and a math major.</p>
<p>So my question is what math major would be best for me if I want to work in finance(hedge funds, algorithmic trading, structured finance, risk management, quant work) AND I HATE PROOFS?</p>
<p>I have heard there are lots of proofs in the Mathematics major, but I wasn't sure about Statistics and Applied Math. What do you guys think of Actuarial Science? I figured AS wouldn't have proofs and would be almost entirely math.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about the majors you mentioned, but as someone who, like you, loved lower-division math (Algebra, Calculus, Trig) and hated proofs in high school, I just wanted to share that I am currently a very happy Computer Science major. A CS degree can get you into many fields, including certain areas of finance. You should look into it :)</p>
<p>Some actuarial science programs will require a relatively rigorous mathematical grounding that will not do at all if you have a problem with proofs. Check the course requirements at your institution and confirm that the program is reputable.</p>
<p>Perhaps your problem was really with the format (two-column?) of the proofs or with the subject material? The visualization requirements of a HS geometry course can make the subject somewhat unappealing regardless of the proof requirements.</p>
<p>If you want to work in quantitative areas you can do an econ and/or computer science major. I believe those majors don’t require any math beyond calculus and prepare you very well for quantitative reasoning. I’m not sure about statistics, you should look into it.</p>
<p>Okay thanks guys, I do not despise proofs to the point where they would prevent me from doing any math related major, I would just like to find a math major where there is more emphasis on getting an answer and less emphasis on proving something. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t see when I will ever use proofs outside of the classroom.</p>
I’ll admit that the proofs you see in high school might seem useless, but proofs do have their place in the real world. For example, algorithms have to be proven correct before a bank will bet money on them. And being able to establish error bounds for your numerical approximations certainly sounds like a useful skill in risk management </p>
<p>Have you had exposure to calculus or statistics? They feel very different from algebra and pre-calc, and I recommend you don’t commit to a major in actuarial science/financial math/statistics until you have seen both. </p>
<p>What exactly did you dislike about proofs, and what did you like about algebra and pre-calc? Algebraic techniques come with step-by-step instructions, which appeals to some students. Proofs usually don’t come with a user manual and require more creativity and persistence. College-level math, whether taught rigorously or not, relies heavily on proof-like problem solving and provides less step-by-step instructions than math in high school.</p>
</p>