Calculus III

It should be called calculus 3D, because this class takes the 2-dimensional skills of the previous 2 calculus classes and applies them to a 3-dimensional perspective.  Once you understand the 3rd dimension, though, the same techniques can be used into n-dimensional space.  The “n” in n-dimesional is limitless, any constant, n, can be used.

I had a dream the other night that I was explaining to a friend how n-dimensional is so much more “infinite” than infinity as most people understand it.  When I began calculus, it was explained to me that the goal was a contemplation of infinity.  That is the case.  But infinity as most people know it is really very linear.  n-dimensional could mean there are infinite dimensions, which if true means that only a small part of our universe may be understandable to our senses as we exist in only 3.  It may be some comfort that 3-D is thought to be the most difficult of the dimensions, but then again, how do we know?

I’ll miss these calculus courses, but I’m not one with math yet, and it’s not done with me.  Calculus changed my life, and the way I see the world.  I see a new beauty now, and it’s exciting.

“To infinity and beyond!”

Day of Days

Today was the last day of finals.  I’ve been studying everyday since last week.  I did well overall, in calculus, econometrics, I expect excellents grades.  In Cost Benefit analysis, a class that was a lot of fun considering it is the hardest class I’ve ever taken, I will accept whatever I get.  I worked hard for that grade, and it represents a lot of sweat and tears.  The linear algebra final I took, inspired me to go home, and change my schedule to avoid ever taking that teacher again.  My grade in there is a big question mark.  The professor was a nightmare, and I’m frustrated with him for how much he may have ruined my understanding of the subject.  We’ll see how it goes, but I hope I get a least a B.

Now, for some time off…

My Mathematical Mind

The last few weeks, I have started to really see different things I’m studying come together in a way that lights the path to my future.  I’m taking econometrics, which is using statistics to measure changes in multiple variables, while holding other variables constant.  It’s based in matrix algebra.  I’m learning that too, though my class is called linear algebra, and I’m in calculus II.  Since econometrics is so important to my grad school ambitions, it’s exciting that the picture is coming into focus.  So today, I was in lecture and the prof. brought up this point about graphing error terms in the multiple regression model.  I noticed that the graph she used was parametric and asked about it later, which clearly impressed her.  She asked if I was in higher level-math.   

 Parametric equations are hard to explain, even for a textbook, but it’s as though you make the x and y terms into their own equations and then find a relationship for them. 

Anyway, the same thing happened last week, when my prof. was explaining the vectors/matrices of the regression model, and I realized the importance of linear independence to the model.  Linear independence means that the columns/rows are a not functions of other rows.

It’s exciting to see it coming together, like my world is lit a little brighter.  Cheers!

Spring Break, camera obscura, and Modest Mouse.

No Padre Island, but it is spring break.  I spending it working on catching up on homework.  How exciting, you might think, but it’s not all work.   Thanks to an especially generous Christmas and Birthday endowment from my progenitors, I am working on re-activating a part of my life that has long lay dormant: the photographic part.  I am awaiting delivery of a shiny new Nikon digital camera with a few lens.  I still have some funds to get a few more accessories thanks to some careful price comparisons.  I’m really excited, I think that next to school, this will be the best thing that’s happened to me in  awhile.  I’ll post a few choice shots here in the future.

I already know that I’m interested in surfaces that reflect an unconscious design generated by human activity.  I guess I can show it better than explain it right now.   I’m also interested in competing philosophies that collide in a single object.  For instance, there is this graffitti all over the train cars that pass by the tracks near campus.  I’m not so interested in the comment of the graffitti itself, but I find the color choices interesting; the indutrial, utilitarian of the train cars, and the commercially created spray paint.  Even though the graffitti is intended as a subversion, the color of the paint was chosen for commercial appeal.  That juxtaposed to the choice of colors of the train cars makes for interesting color collisions, and it’s really an unconscious choice of juxtaposition.  I mean, the graffitist didn’t paint the cars to make them “pretty” they were making another statement, the color of the cars were chosen not to make a statement except for the ownership of the car.  So I think it’ll be fun to make these colors my own.

Lastly, I’ve been somewhat obsessed with this song lately.  SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE.

The Test and the exam

It’s been a trying couple of weeks.  Some not-so-good grades on homeworks, frustrating announcements from my professors, and enough homework draw the question, “is this worth it?” had me in a low mood–even  on my birthday which was Wednesday.  I stayed up till 2am last night working on calculus homework, and getting really annoyed with my professor for assigning so many “busy work” type problems.

 This morning though, I got something that made me feel good about school for the first time this semester: my grade on an exam.  I got an A, and it really made my week…well, that and the fact that and despite the frustration, I really like calculus.

Work, run, work, run…

I just finished a monster amount of homework.  I really wasn’t sure if I’d finish it all in time, but I pulled it off, dang.

 I’m taking econometrics this semester which is a great tool for economists, but not terribly interesting to discuss.  I’m also taking this Economics Projects Evaluation class, though, which is really an extenstion, more in-depth, of microeconomics.  I am really loving micro.  I think that is the direction I will be headed in for grad school.  The homework in that I just finished was fun, even if I sweated bullets as to whether I’d get it done or not.  I feel good now, anyway.  

 I actually skipped my usual visit to the gym, to get to all this homework, but yesterday I had a nice run in the park.   I’ve seen a slight bump in pace each year after the marathon.  I’m seeing that again, though, my run yesterday was under a PR.  What was notable was I ran a mile at a 7-min. pace.  That’s a first (I think).   I’ve learned recently how much form matters, it can be the difference between pain, soreness, a slow pace, and the opposite of those things.

 Oh, yeah, this awesome Alaskan Malamute that I’ve been fostering since August went to a new potential home.  I miss him so much, and it’s been two days.  I guess it’ll get better.  I  love you, Rocky!

The Test

I got an A on my microeconomics test.  Praise science.  That sets me on a firmer course toward an A in the class.

Whew!

I just finished the 4th exam in as many weeks. I’m ready to not have an exam on my horizon, but alas, there is another calculus exam next week. Then I actually get about 10 days before I have to take another exam! Dang!

Calculus – Test 1

I took my first calculus test today. I feel like I did everything okay. I couldn’t have been more prepared, so I can safely say I did my best. Sometimes, I forget that is all we can ask of ourselves, and it’s enough.

I know a portion of my grade, 54. I don’t know how many points that is out of. There is a written portion and an online multiple choice potion that I can see the grade to right away.

New Journeys, a week & five years

My last day on my job that I’ve held for the last 5 years is next friday. To be honest, I can’t wait. It’s the continuation of my journey to economist. I’m going to start studying for the GRE to get a master’s of science in applied math, statistics, so that I can get a Ph.D. in economics. Quitting the job means I can focus fully on school and forget about being a paralegal, finally. Paralegalling was good for me, and I learned a lot of important skills, such as reasoning and writing. But, it’s time to continue my journey to doing something else with my life, so I’m taking the old skills and heading down a new path that is exciting for me. Even though, I’m still sure most people would think all this math and economics is boring, it makes me happy. So it goes.