5/12/14: If you are graduating, you might be interested in joining the
Minnesota Math Corps, a program that helps children struggling in
math. They are currently hiring over 250 AmeriCorps math tutors across
the state. They pay a biweekly stipend of $484 and contribute a few
thousand dollars to your own tuition. More info is
at www.MinnesotaMathCorps.org.
5/12/14: Good luck on your final, everybody!
5/11/14: I have just discovered that the solution of #7 on the sample
final of Fall 2007 is not complete and, moreover, contains a typo: the
last term of yp should be Ex, and then the coefficients A,
B,..., E must be found by plugging the trial solution yp
into the differential equation and then the general solution
yh (denoted yh, rather than yc,
there) of the associated homogeneous differential equation should be
added to present a general solution of the given, nonhomogeneous
equation. This problem is from Section 5.5 on solving nonhomogeneous
linear differential equations, like Problem 37 from the homework. I am
sorry about the typo. I will have to leave the whole solution file
intact, because it was not me who created it — I would not be able to
make corrections there.
5/8/14: I have just posted answers to some old Finals on our class web
page.
5/6/14: Prof. Tzeng's office hours for the week May 5-9 are M &
T 8:05-8:35 p.m. in Vincent Hall 1 and W & Th 5-6 p.m. in Vincent Hall
451. I will have office hours 12:30-1:15 p.m. on Monday, May 12. You
can also see any TA at their office hours. Here is their office-hour
schedule for the rest of the week May 6-9:
Denis: T & Th 11:00-1:00, VinH 454
Kevin: W 11:15-12:05, 1:25-2:15, VinH 526
Sam: W 1:15-2:15, 5-6, Th 11:15-12:15, VinH 550
Alanna: W 9-10, 11-12, also Monday, May 12 (tentative, confirm
with Alanna): 9-10, 11-12, VinH 370
Theo: W 1:25-2:15, T & Th: 11:15-12:05, VinH 555
5/6/14: According to the latest TAs' reports, the Midterm III average
is 26.69 out of 40 points or 66.73%.
5/5/14: The Final Exam is coming: Monday, May 12, 1:30-4:30 in
Anderson Hall 330 (Dis 011, 015), 350 (Dis 012, 013, 014), 270 (Dis
021, 022, 023, 024). Coverage: Sections 1.1-1.5, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1
- 3.6; 4.2 - 4.7, skipping 4.6; 5.1 - 5.6, skipping pp. 348-350;
6.1-6.2; 7.1-7.5 (through Example 5), skipping 7.4; 10.1-10.2 (through
Example 6) of the textbook. How to get ready: the more problems
you solve, the better you will be prepared. Solve problems from the
homeworks again (if you feel you do not remember how to do them) and
similar problems from the text (for example, if problem 11 was on the
homework, problems 10 or 12 will likely be similar). Solve relevant
problems from Sample Finals that you can find through
the library course
page or
the Instructional
Center at the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (click
on Practice Exams). Finally, just make an internet search for sample
exams on Linear Algebra and Differential Equations and see if you can
solve problems relevant to our exam's coverage. See Advice on Getting
Help on
our Syllabus.
5/5/14: The old final tests on
the Library
course page and
the Instructional
Center page at the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence
have a number of problems outside of our coverage. These are:
Spring 2003: Problems 3, 4, 5, 10,
Fall 2005: Problems 2, 3, 4,
Spring 2005: Problems 9, 11, 13,
Fall 2006: Problems 7, 13, 14,
Spring 2006: Problem 7,
Fall 2007: Problem 4,
Spring 2007: Problems 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16,
Spring 2008: Problems 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16.
5/4/14: I will be out of town, visiting NCSU this week, from Tuesday
to Friday. I have asked Professor Yu-jong Tzeng to substitute for me
in my Wednesday and Friday classes. I will hold office hours as usual
on Monday, May 5, 1:25 to 2:15 p.m., as well as on Monday, May 12,
12:30 to 1:15 p.m., just before the exam. You are also welcome to
attend Prof. Tzeng's office hours, the office hours of your TA or any
othe Math 2243 TA. Prof. Tzeng's office hours during the last week of
classes will be as follows: MT 8:05-8:35 p.m. in 1 Vincent Hall and
WTh 5-6 p.m. in 451 Vincent Hall.
5/4/14: We have got room assignment for the finals, see the news of
4/25/14 below. Remember to bring ID cards to show them to the proctor
when handing your exam in and #2 or 1 pencils to the final exam. There
will be bubble sheets to fill in for the 10 multiple-choice
questions.
5/2/14: In the last minute of my morning lecture today, I have made
two errors: (1) The determinant of the nonaugmented matrix of the
system (s-2)X - Y = 1, -6 X + (s-3)Y = -1 is s(s-5), rather than
s(s+5); (2) L-1 (1/s) = 1, rather than et. I am
sorry (A couple of points off my score! ☺). The answer to that
problem, which we did not finish in class, is x = (e5t +
4)/5, y = (3e5t - 1)/5.
4/30/14: Now
the third
sample midterm is posted with a solution of Problem 4, which I did
not have time for in class today, and an answer to Problem 5.
4/30/14: I have been making up the final exam all night and totally
forgot about my promise to post a solution of Problem 4. I
apologize. I will do that right away. Wait 15 minutes.
4/29/14: Our TA Alanna has posted a short
Review for Midterm III, which contains a number of recommended
problems to solve for the upcoming Midterm on Thursday, May
1.
4/25/14: We have got room assignment for the finals:
4/24/14:
The third
sample midterm is now posted. Time yourself on it before we
discuss it on April 30. I remind you that the actual midterm date is
Thursday, May 1.
4/23/14: Due to a conference in Vincent Hall this weekend, our Math
2243 3:35 lecture has been moved from VinH 16 to Tate Lab of Physics
170 on Friday, April 25. Sorry about another inconvenience.
4/22/14: Reminder: I have rescheduled my office hours for Wednesday,
April 23: I will hold them from 12:30 to 1:20 that day. Sorry about
the inconvenience.
4/18/14: The third midterm is coming: Thursday, May 1, during
your discussion period. Coverage: Sections 5.3 (from
p. 319)-5.6, skipping pp. 348-350; 6.1-6.2; 7.1-7.5 (through Example
5), skipping 7.4 of the textbook. How to get ready: the more
problems you solve, the better you will be prepared. Solve problems
from the homeworks again (if you feel you do not remember how to do
them) and similar problems from the text (for example, if problem 11
was on the homework, problems 10 or 12 will likely be
similar). Alanna's Review
for Midterm III has a number of recommended problems from various
sections covered by the midterm. Solve relevant problems from Sample
Finals that you can find through
the library course
page or
the Instructional
Center at the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (click
on Practice Exams). Test yourself on
Sample
Exam III. Finally, just make an internet search for sample exams
on Linear Algebra and Differential Equations and see if you can solve
problems relevant to our exam's coverage.
4/15/14: I have to reschedule my office hours for Wednesday, April 23:
I will hold them from 12:30 to 1:20 that day. Sorry about the
inconvenience.
4/11/14: The Midterm II average is 25.97 out of 40 points or
64.93%.
3/31/14: Alanna, one of our TAs, has posted a short
Review for Midterm II, which contains a number of recommended
problems to solve for the upcoming Midterm on Thursday, April
3.
3/26/14: One of the students has noticed that Problem 4 on the Sample
Midterm II incurs complex roots of the characteristic equation, which
is not covered by our Midterm II. I have corrected that problem so
that it entails only real roots and reposted the sample test.
3/25/14: Here is an ad about a teaching job in Chicago and Indiana,
which you might be interested in after graduation:
"We’re looking for top talent to join our 2014 cohort of TNTP Teaching
Fellows in Chicago and Indianapolis. TNTP Teaching Fellows are
accomplished professionals and recent graduates who commit to becoming
exceptional teachers for our country’s highest-need regions and
subject areas. With the highest standards of any teacher preparation
program in America, Fellows earn a full-time salary and benefits while
working towards a teacher’s certificate and receive continuous,
hands-on coaching by outstanding local teachers in order to meet our
high bar for effectiveness. We have two regional cohorts of Fellows
in Chicago and Indiana, and together, they are proving what’s possible
in public school education. Do you have what it takes to join this
elite group of educators? Apply now! Interested in other locations?
See where else Fellows are proving what’s possible in public school
education. See this site
for details and to apply."
3/19/14:
The second
sample midterm is posted. Time yourself on it before we discuss it
on April 2. The actual midterm date is Thursday, April 3.
3/12/14: I thought that the day of the second midterm, April 3, was
during the week after the Spring Break and mentioned that in
class. One of the students has corrected me: April 3 is in the second
week after the break. Sorry! However, I would think of this as good
news: it means you will have more time to get ready. Coverage for all
our exams has been set since the start of the term on
our Schedule
and Homework page.
3/12/14: The second midterm is coming: Thursday, April 3,
during your discussion period. Coverage: Sections 3.3 - 3.6; 4.2 -
4.7, skipping 4.6; 5.1 - 5.3 (through Example 2) of the textbook. How
to get ready: the more problems you solve, the better you will be
prepared. Solve problems from the homeworks again (if you feel you do
not remember how to do them) and similar problems from the text (for
example, if problem 11 was on the homework, problems 10 or 12 will
likely be
similar). Alanna's Review
for Midterm II has a number of recommended problems from various
sections covered by the midterm. Solve relevant problems from Sample
Finals that you can find through
the library course
page or
the Instructional
Center at the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (click
on Practice Exams). Test yourself on
Sample
Exam II. Finally, just make an internet search for sample exams on
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations and see if you can solve
problems relevant to our exam's coverage.
3/3/14: I have to cut my office hours short today at 1:55 pm. I am
here in my office before then, and you can stop by at any time. Sorry
about a short notice!
2/24/14: The Midterm I average is 27.31 out of 40 points or
68.28%. Good job!
2/19/14: Now
the first
sample midterm is posted with a solution of Problem 4, which I did
not have time for in class today.
2/19/14: I have realized that some of you might still have problems
with integration. You may wish to brush up on your integration skills,
such as integration by substitution, simple partial fractions, basic
integration by parts, etc.
2/17/14: Alanna, one of our TAs, has posted her own
review
for the first midterm.
2/12/14:
The first
sample midterm is posted. You will be taking an actual midterm in
about a week.
2/5/14: The first midterm is coming: Thursday, February 20,
during your discussion period. Coverage: Sections 1.1-1.5, 2.1, 2.3,
3.1-3.2 of the textbook. How to get ready: the more problems you
solve, the better you will be prepared. Solve problems from the
homeworks again (if you feel you do not remember how to do them) and
similar problems from the text (for example, if problem 11 was on the
homework, problems 10 or 12 will likely be similar). Solve relevant
problems from Sample Finals that you can find through
the library course
page or
the Instructional
Center at the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (click
on Practice Exams). Test yourself on
Sample
Exam I, which will be available within a week or so.
1/29/14: Now I also need to move my Wednesday office hours to 11:15
a.m.- 12:05 p.m., starting today, so that my office hour schedule is
as follows: M 1:25-2:15 p.m., WF 11:15 a.m.- 12:05 p.m. (still could
be changed in the future) or by appointment.
1/28/14: I have moved my Friday office hours to 11:15 a.m.- 12:05
p.m., starting this Friday, so that my office hour schedule is as
follows: MW 1:25-2:15 p.m., F 11:15 a.m.- 12:05 p.m. (still could be
changed in the future) or by appointment.
1/28/14: For those of you whose Tuesday morning discussion sections
this week have been canceled: study Section 1.3 of the text totally on
your own and do the corresponding homework today. Should you have any
questions, ask me or your TA or any one of the lecturers/TAs. Stay
warm and see you all on Wednesday!
1/27/14: Even though it may be exciting when classes are canceled, it
does not mean that we should relax and have a break from study! We
will still be following
our class
and homework schedule. This means that you should study Section
1.3 of the text on your own and do the corresponding homework
today. You will be discussing that topic in your discussion sections
on Tuesday, under the assumption that you have read Section 1.3. It is
an important section, but not awfully complicated for studying it on
your own. Should you have any questions, ask me or your TA or any one
of the lecturers/TAs. Stay warm and see you all on Wednesday!
1/22/14: On Friday, February 21st, all University of Minnesota
campuses will partner to host the 2014 Job and Internship Fair from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The event
connects U of M students and recent alumni
with 200+
employers and organizations.
The fair is open to all U of M degree seeking undergraduates, graduate and professional students, certificate students, and alumni from 2011 - 2014. Free transportation is provided to and from campus. Registration is $10 for those who register online by February 18, or $25 at the door on the day of the event. Need based fee waivers are also available.
NEW for 2014 - Job and Internship Fair attendees also can get a free professional headshot photo taken at the event, for use with LinkedIn and other social media.
The U of M Job and Internship Fair happens just once a year - I encourage you to participate if you are looking for a job.
1/20/14: I recommend the following way to study. Attend each class,
take notes, participate in class actively. After each class review
your notes and study the corresponding part of the text. You can find
out which part of the text at
the Class
Schedule and Homework page. Then do the assigned problems from the
same page.
1/20/14: If you need to register for this class, please, send a
message to Ms. Lawson at ugrad@math.umn.edu and ask for a permission number. If
permission is granted, go to OneStop and register.
1/20/14:
Homework is already assigned for each class, starting this
Wednesday, January 22. It will not be collected or graded. However,
you will be tested on your homework on weekly quizzes and midterm
exams. Looking up solutions to homework problems in the Student's
Solutions Manual could be damaging to your performance on quizzes
and exams: if you do not get to practice solving problems
independently by doing homework, you will not be ready for the
tests. Getting together with other students (that is, in study groups)
is a very effective way to do homework. Your friend ir your TA, and
your TA is your friend. If you do not do homework on a regular basis
you should expect to do poorly in the course. Neither you, nor me want
this to happen!
Last modified: (2014-05-12 14:57:01 CDT)