#eucledian

18/12/2021

Before starting the conventional preparation, of strengthening my theory and blind sponts, and doing and correcting past exams, I’m going to review my first phase notes and re-check some youtube videos and websites, to see what other people advise for preparation.

19/12/2021

Did some exercises on topics I didn’t get a very good grasp, namely diophantine equations. For those equations, I advise the following simple exercises :

https://math.ryerson.ca/~abonato/Teaching/AM8002/Worked_LDE.pdf

They are really simple and the steps are explained in the following solutions, doubts are easily googled.

20/12/2021

Did a previous exam that was pretty heavy on combinatorics, noticed I need to perfect my knowledge in that area. Also managed time pretty well but was too impulsive at the start, I should think my strategy through before starting to solve an exercise.

The fun and joy problem solving brings was there so, overall, I’m pretty happy!! 

22/12/2021 - 12:12 a.m

Currently correcting my previous exam and identifying my weaknesses as I go. One I noticed, that maybe most look over, is the fact that a lot of exercises, specially after the first phase start combining topics. Algebra tends to be pretty universal but a combination of combinatorics and number theory may occur.

23/12/2021

Problems in combinatorics/Nr Theory: Not converting problem to a mathematical expression right away, need to be more precised and focused. Think things through

Problems in Geometry: Not knowing/ feeling comfortable enough with the topic. Interpretation

24-27/12/2021

Got sick on christmas eve, did 2 to 3 past exams since then but time management was shit (obviously, really didn’t have the energy to try hard). Made a plan to correct exercices to list what I did incorrectly (identify flaws in logic), what I didn’t manage to do (to try again before looking at the answer sheet) and topics I felt weak or uncertain about (to reinforce with exercices that aren’t part of past exams).