4.3-4.4, due on September 19

These sections were very straightforward and there wasn't a lot that was too difficult to understand. We basically took the techniques that we had been applying with integer-related proofs and applied them to the real numbers and sets. The one thing that did stump me for a minute was the proof of theorem 4.17 involving absolute values. I was concerned about the use of the inequality in the proof but then I realized that we pulled it from the previous page in the statement of the proof. Another thing that did come up was stating contrapositive and the use of loss of generality. The book states that stating contrapositive isn't necessary, however in class you instructed us that we might want to do it. Regarding the loss of generality, the book just stated WLOG and then assumed one of the possibilities. You told us in class that we might want to write something like, the proof follows the same steps. Are we going to get knocked points if we don't, even though the book says it's not necessary?

I thoroughly love set theory. It's something pretty familiar to me; In linear algebra and the IMPACT boot camp we did a lot of proofs involving different sort of sets. What's different now is I actually understand it! It is almost weird to me but I enjoyed these proofs. I thought they were pretty cool but also elegant.

Additional Questions:

• How long have you spent on the homework assignments? Did lecture and the reading prepare you for them?

Homework assignments don't really take me that long. I usually get through all of them in under an hour. Yes, the reading and lecture have been super helpful in preparing me. I feel like there's usually one that I don't quite understand, but if there is I ask about it at the start of class.

• What has contributed most to your learning in this class thus far?

The best has probably been the reading. The blog post forces me to actually read before class and if there's something that I don't fully understand we go over the reading in the lecture. 

• What do you think would help you learn more effectively or make the class better for you? (This can be feedback for me, or goals for yourself.)

I'm enjoying the class and understanding most of it. I have however heard horror stories about Math 290 tests. We haven't really talked too much about what will be expected of us for the test (as far as during lecture, something like "you will be required to prove similar things like this"). Perhaps this helps students not to single one thing out, but it would be nice to know!