I went in for help this morning because I didn't understand the 3^n proof, but now I do, clearly. I didn't see how we were assuming the pattern 1, 3, 7, 9 and I wanted to know why and how we were.
But now I see that you write the case for one, to imply three, and the case for three to imply seven... etc.
I didn't realize that was what we were doing.
Seeing more formal math of the steps helped cleared my confusion.
Poof.
And I also wanted to check about how I did for question two on the problem set, so I got the math down, that was the easy part. Explaining how I got there was a problem.
I wrote out the proof in words and got the TA to look at it.
He didn't get it. It made sense to me, no one else.
Definitely not good when the whole point of the course is quite the opposite.
Want to make the point clear and not obscure it.
But he helped me make it more concise and clear, though, I still have a bit of trouble deciding just what needs to be said in the proof, and what doesn't.
I don't think I'd want to read my own proof.
That I'm sure, signifies something bad...
So I feel a bit less like I don't know what I am doing now.
I think I will be in for help every week that I can though...
(Did I learn anything in CSC165? It's really feeling like I didn't.. -_-)
3 comments:
Well, the problem set worked, in the sense it got you to see a TA.
I've written lots of proofs, and I am rarely satisfied with them being sufficiently precise and clear at the same time.
Proof writing is something that is learnt by practice and feedback so its good that you're trying, and asking for help. It's something that takes a while to develop so keep at it, you will get a lot happier with your proofs as you develop this skill.
I get unhappier with my proofs the longer I do them, but that could be my quirk.
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