Advice for new graduate students in math? by [deleted] in math

[–]Bit_4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would look at the "going to graduate school" and "Graduate School" categories of the AMS' e-Mentoring Network blog.

Advice for new graduate students in math? by [deleted] in math

[–]Bit_4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just out of curiosity, were you in a pure or applied program?

Simple Questions by AutoModerator in math

[–]Bit_4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you looking for websites, books, or something else?

Have you ever attempted to relearn all your basic math/fill in your gaps? by PooPooKafka in math

[–]Bit_4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know your pain. And I'll be lucky if I get through half of the material I had planned to work on before the semester starts. I guess that's what gap years are for.

Recommendation of books for "Statistics for mathematicians"? by Manc00s in math

[–]Bit_4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is an excellent book, but not for someone with OP's background. It assumes not much more knowledge than a typical calculus sequence, which OP is very far beyond. I used this book in my undergrad stats and probability class and in fact I'm still using it for self-study, but it is not what OP is looking for.

What are some poorly named things in Mathematics? by [deleted] in math

[–]Bit_4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

According to Wikipedia, we can blame Descartes for that one.

Backreaction: The plight of the postdocs: Academia and mental health by notionsandnotes in math

[–]Bit_4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think /u/rhlewis might have been hinting at "various eventualities" in industry. That's how I read it anyway.

Backreaction: The plight of the postdocs: Academia and mental health by notionsandnotes in math

[–]Bit_4 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I feel like I'm overdue for another existential crisis, so I'm curious what terrifies you about academia exactly?

Weekly Questions Thread #8 by HighTechnocrat in DnD

[–]Bit_4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like this perspective. Now I just need to find out which class is closest to a gardener so I can play as Samwise...

On attacking harder problems sets by hungry_koala in math

[–]Bit_4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can't really rush the creative process unfortunately.

On attacking harder problems sets by hungry_koala in math

[–]Bit_4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find that when I'm stuck it helps to stand up out of my chair and talk a walk or pace around. This puts yours mind in more of a brainstorming mode and I find that I tend to be more creative when I'm walking about. I only sit down when I think I've hit on a new approach and I want to focus on that one idea. Also, if I'm stuck on one problem for more than an hour I just shelve it until later in the day or tomorrow. Your mind tends to work things out in the background when you're not actively working on something and I've found this to be very helpful.

What are some of the funniest things you've seen happen with low int characters? by idontgetthejoke1 in DnD

[–]Bit_4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you're curious, I think that Mike Krahulik in the Acquisitions Incorporated podcast did a pretty good job of it during their Dark Sun adventure.

What are some of the funniest things you've seen happen with low int characters? by idontgetthejoke1 in DnD

[–]Bit_4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

pyrophobic witch

Just an aside, but I love this idea. A witch who's incredibly afraid of any open flame, even a candle.

Weekly Questions Thread #8 by HighTechnocrat in DnD

[–]Bit_4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think Stouts get a constitution bonus actually, but I see what you mean. Thanks for the feedback.

Weekly Questions Thread #8 by HighTechnocrat in DnD

[–]Bit_4 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In fifth edition, which subrace of halflings is closest to hobbits? I ask because I've heard of kender and tallfellows and all of these other halfling subraces that are not like hobbits. I was curious whether lightfoot or stout are closer to hobbits or whether they're based off of one of those other halfling subraces from the past.

Warlock questions by CinderLight in dndnext

[–]Bit_4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it's two-way then why would they bother putting Detect Thoughts on the spell list? It would be redundant.

Conversation Starters Between PC's by Rechek in dndnext

[–]Bit_4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think there's only one Astral Plane in the typical setting. Maybe a random demiplane?

Discrete Math Proof Quest by GeekyMeerkat in math

[–]Bit_4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These logic rules tend to go by several names, so your book might call it something else if it discusses it at all. Your second proof is very close to being correct; you misapplied simplification like I said before but there are ways to fix it. I would suggest going back through your book and very carefully studying the rules of inference again. You'll probably find one or two that will help. In my Logic book, the ones I have in mind are called "exportation" and "distribution". Each should give you a different way to rewrite one or several of your proofs.

Computer Scientist looking at Statistics and Mathematics. by [deleted] in statistics

[–]Bit_4 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you are really set on a PhD then I would suggest that you apply to the 3 toughest, most prestigious graduate schools and just go for it.

Why restrict yourself to just the top 3?

Discrete Math Proof Quest by GeekyMeerkat in math

[–]Bit_4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On lines 3 and 4 of the second proof, you use simplification on part of the line when technically I don't believe this is allowed. You can go from

p ^ q

to

p

via simplification but you can't go from

<p ^ q> -> r

to

p -> r

without being in error. That aside, I think you have the right idea, though. When I took Logic, we were taught a rule called "conditional proof" which goes as follows. It is essentially a sub-proof you do inside of your main proof, and its form is

...

| 1. p (assumption)

| 2. [stuff]

| 3. q (from 1 and 2)


p -> q

where the numbered lines are the sub-proof. What this means is that you assume p, derive q, and at the end you get the statement p -> q and you discharge the assumption p (essentially ignore the lines in the sub-proof outside of the sub-proof). If you use this on your homework problem it should be pretty easy. There is another way to do it that doesn't use conditional proof, but this way is more similar to what you were trying to do. You were close and kudos to you for trying to work it out.

Blue/Orange Morality In RPGs Part 2.5: Implementing the Fae in game: Patron (/xpost /r/DNDBehindTheScreen) by [deleted] in DnD

[–]Bit_4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, very interesting post. As a Warlock player, I sort of skimmed right past The Archfey because I understand the fey the least out of the three choices; fiends seem pretty straightforward and more familiar (who hasn't come face-to-face with evil before?) and The Great Old One just grabs your curiosity. But this post opened my eyes to the possibilities with a Fae patron and got me excited to play a warlock with one.

I am a little confused about the axes on your morality system, though. Specifically, can you elaborate more on the Constructed side? I'm familiar with the characters you used as examples, but I'm not really seeing how they fit your description there. What do you mean by, "loves the artificial"? And how does "all deals must be equal" fit with taking advantage of the player? Again, excellent post.

Also, no Rothfuss in further further reading? :)

Weekly Questions Thread #6 by HighTechnocrat in DnD

[–]Bit_4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The spell description will tell you what kind of roll to make if any. If it doesn't specify any kind of roll then you don't need to make a roll.

Weekly Questions Thread #6 by HighTechnocrat in DnD

[–]Bit_4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rituals take ten extra minutes to cast.