Math

Probability: The chance of something happening
The Fundamental Counting Principle: The probability of one independent event (m) happening and then another independent even (n) is (m)x(n)
Relative Area:
Permutations: A specific order/sequence of data, where order matters
Combinations: A group of data, where order doesn't matter
Tree Diagramming: A diagram to help map out the probability of an event
‘e’ and logarithms: 'e' is an irrational number. Logarithms are the inverse of exponents. A logarithm with a base of 'e' is the natural log, or 'ln'
The Law of Large Numbers: As the amount of experiments conducted increases, the experimental probability with approach the theoretical probability.
Theoretical and Experimental Probability: Theoretical probability is the probability on paper, according to the math while Experimental probability is the probability after conducting the experiment, using the actual numbers.

College Courses

First semester: Math 116 College and Matrix Algebra with Deborah Moss at Mesa College

Summer Semester: Math 104 Trigonometry with Russell La Puma at Mesa College

Definitions

Reflections

When I learned matrices with Deborah Moss in math 116 I was super confused. I felt so lost, and for a few weeks of class I was lost. Finally I decided I was going to make an effort to understand it. I went to the Mesa College Library for at least 4 hours studying. I watched Khan Academy videos, went on to Purple Math, sent numerous emails to Debby asking for help, and browsed YouTube until I finally understood it. This is pretty much how I overcome most challenges, just read and learn as much about the topic as I possibly can. When I'm stuck on something, I cant just ask for it to be explained to me. I have to actually figure it out myself to truly understand it.

Being precise and explicit in math is essential. Unlike humanities or writing, math always has an answer, and your answer is either right or wrong. I really grasped this concept in Math 116. My work was ugly and unorganized and my grades suffered because of it. I learned that being organized is a process. It starts with your work: if you don't do the work neatly then you wont be able to notice your errors, which leads to getting the incorrect answer.

Math is my favorite subject, so I hope that in the future it is incorporated into my job. The good thing about math is that it is used in everything. So I'm sure regardless of the career I chose to have, in some way math will be involved.