Question

Is it just me or are the MIT Scholar problem sets damn near impossible??
I was working on PS - 4, and I could make an attempt at 1 & 2, but by the time I got to problem 3 I was completely lost.

Is that a bad sign?
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-02sc-multivariable-calculus-fall-2010/part-a-functions-of-two-variables-tangent-approximation-and-optimization/problem-set-4/MIT18_02SC_pset4.pdf

Answer 1

I am not entirely sure which problems you're referring to, but I found PS-4 particularly easy. The MIT OCW problems are the same problems that real students would work for problem sets. I strongly suggest that you review the lectures and modules for the units covered in the problem sets.

Answer 2

One more thing… If you are having trouble with vectors, matrices, notation, etc., look at MIT Scholar course for 18.01 and the first section of 18.02 and 18.06.

Answer 3

I was not sure how to parametrize the curve C in question number 3 on the problem set which I linked. Honestly I think the problem begins at understanding what they are even asking.

Answer 4

I have been able to do the supplementary assignments with no problem, but I am struggling to understand these more complex problems.

Answer 5

You need to know the notation and be apply to apply the information from multiple sections.

Knowing that \[r_2(t)=<t, \frac32 -t^2>\] means\[x=t\] and \[y=\frac32-t^2\] can make or break you on this problem.
The only other component is knowing that shadow of projected on the xy-plane is the same function with z or f(x,y) set to 0 (the level curve for c=0).

…

Which maths have you taken, and how much application have they involved?

Answer 6

calc I,II, diff eq and linear algebra. I went and got help from physics forums though and after the notation made more sense the problem was much easier. I was just quite frustrated at the time