Strategy for Mathematics « Kashish Mittal

Kashish Mittal

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Strategy for Mathematics May 28, 2011 by Kashish Mittal I chose Mathematics and Physics as optional subjects as I had a considerable exposure to the topics in their syllabi from my study since classes +1, +2 upto college level. The books I referred for Mathematics are as follows: Paper I 1. Linear Algebra: Linear Algebra by Vasishtha and Sharma (Krishna Series) Matrices by Vasishtha and Vasishtha (Krishna Series) 2. Calculus: Differential Calculus by Shanti Narayan (S. Chand) Integral Calculus by Shanti Narayan (S. Chand) A Course of Mathematical Analysis by Shanti Narayan (S. Chand) 3. Analytic Geometry: Analytical Solid Geometry by Shanti Narayan (S. Chand) 4. Ordinary Differential Equations: Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations by M.D. Raisinghania (S. Chand) Laplace Transforms: Brilliant Tutorials Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig 5. Statics: Statics (Krishna Series) Dynamics: Dynamics (Krishna Series) 6. Vector Analysis: kashishmittal.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/strategy-for-mathematics/

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Vector Calculus (Krishna Series) Curves in Space: Calculus by Thomas & Finney Paper II 1. Algebra: Abstract Algebra by Khanna and Bhambri Topics in Algebra by I. N. Herstein 2. Real Analysis: Elements of Real Analysis by MD Raisinghania (S. Chand) 3. Complex Analysis: Functions of a Complex Variable (Krishna Series) 4. Linear Programming: Linear Programming (Krishna Series) 5. Partial Differential Equations: Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations by M.D. Raisinghania (S. Chand) Boundary Value Problems: Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig 6. Numerical Analysis and Computer Programming: Numerical Methods by Jain, Jain and Iynger 7. Mechanics: Rigid Dynamics Volume I & II (Krishna Series) Fluid Dynamics: M.D. Raisinghania (S. Chand) [Due to some time constraint, I studied Abstract Algebra and Real Analysis mostly from 12 markers point of view. However, looking back, I think I could (& should) have done them thoroughly as well.] While studying these books I basically attempted the solved examples. In the first cycle of my study, I read selective solved examples and tried to register them in my mind, and solved some of them on my own. In the second cycle of the syllabus I properly attempted the solved examples on paper, trying my best to maintain the quality and language of the answers as close to the solutions in the books. The way of writing a solution is very important in the Mathematics paper, and can be best learnt from the solved examples themselves. After that I also attempted questions from the past 15-20 years’ papers. The answers/solutions can be verified from the Brilliant Tutorials and the books mentioned above. This exercise helps in giving an idea as to what is the kind and level of questions asked in the exam, and may also prove beneficial in case some questions in the exam come on similar lines as in the past. Finally, I also made summary sheets for every unit/topic (~ 2 pages per unit) in which I listed the important results/formulae/theorems/tips which can be gone through a day before the exam. This is helpful as it can give you a holistic & quick revision of the entire syllabus before the exam. In the exam, my correct attempt was ~ 258 in Paper I and ~ 260 in Paper II. My score in the exam kashishmittal.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/strategy-for-mathematics/

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was 207 in Paper I and 198in Paper II. I think the accuracy in the Mathematics paper is extremely necessary, as candidates are penalised heavily for any errors in the solution/answer.

Posted in Uncategorized | 104 Comments

104 Responses

1. on May 29, 2011 at 3:57 am | Reply ankit hey congrats..i read in newspaper that you started preparing in the last year itself and cracked in your first attempt.can you please tell how much time is required for serious preparation for an average guy?

2. on May 30, 2011 at 8:17 am | Reply Sunny Any coaching you undertook for Mathematics? When did you start preparing this optional and how much time did you put in for Mathematics every day? I will be appearing for CSE 2012 and yet to start my preparations for this optional. Thank You

3. on May 31, 2011 at 8:08 am | Reply Hi, I have two questions:

Sunny

1) From where all these books can be easily available? I am not able to find these books even at flipkart. kashishmittal.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/strategy-for-mathematics/

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2) If possible, can you mention the approximate prices of these books. I just checked ‘Abstract Algebra’ by Khanna and Bhambri online and the fact that it costs Rs. 890 put me into doubt if it is the same book that you have mentioned. Please check this link: http://www.flipkart.com/b/books/course-abstract-algebra-vijay-khannabook-0706983025?_l=CJHVEqJO3veuHytbACc9dw–&_r=shpuTL8%20JmwfVfTLqGuK2w– &ref=157fcb45-c9be-493e-8ab1-77e76e9425ee&pid=k4w3fbfyfe Thanks

4. on May 31, 2011 at 11:28 am | Reply Kashish Mittal @ankit: I started preparing in the beginning of my last year of college, i.e. one year before prelims. During this time I had to manage my college curriculum as well. However, after prelims, I devoted the next available 5-6 months fully for mains study ( ~ 10 hours everyday) as I had finished my degree in May,2010. In general, I think that if a person starts full fledged preparation around 1 year before prelims, it should be good enough to clear the exam.

5. on May 31, 2011 at 11:54 am | Reply Kashish Mittal @Sunny: I used to take up some elective courses of Mathematics at IIT, which helped me eventually in covering up the syllabus fast. Also, I took coaching for selected topics in Aug-Sept, 2010 (Complex Numbers, Calculus, Differential Equations) from DIAS Institute, Jia Sarai. I started the basic content of my Maths preparation on my own after prelims, using the above mentioned books. Regarding books, I bought them from Jawahar Book Depot, Ber Sarai (Behind IIT Delhi), Delhi [You can get their contact details at http://www.jawahar-book-centre.com/%5D. It may be difficult to order these books online, so I would suggest buying from any good shop. Also, the link you gave for Khanna and Bhambari is perhaps a different version/edition. The book i am referring to is available at http://www.flipkart.com/b/books/course-abstract-algebrakhanna-vijay-book-8125919112?_l=TD6zlqyt5zvAWw1GJEtIqA– &_r=oluRoWbXdQxMkcyDwKkIVQ–

6. on May 31, 2011 at 10:57 pm | Reply was the coaching at DIAS good. kashishmittal.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/strategy-for-mathematics/

nitish

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Also can we join there for only selected topics in maths?? did you complete all the topics entirely or selectively thank you nitish

7. on May 31, 2011 at 11:04 pm | Reply nitish Statistical analysis of CSE 2010 result can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JsSCzPGbyqDgM7zNppdVMQoD0steVFciT2GZ8TRPJk/edit?hl=en&pli=1#

8. on May 31, 2011 at 11:35 pm | Reply ankit @kashish: thanks Hey some people do say that if one is not prepared for mains before prelims then they should not give the attempt that year. How far you agree?

9. on June 2, 2011 at 5:13 am | Reply Raj Congrats Kashish ………I have a few questions 1)Do we require coaching(from DIAS particularly). 2)Please write strategy for Physics also. 3)Elaborate more on how to write answers(particularly in Maths and Physics). Whats the basic difference when writing a University exam and IAS in terms of answering a question(Maths and Physics).

10. on June 2, 2011 at 11:11 am | Reply Kashish Mittal @nitish: You can go for selected topics at DIAS. The coaching for the topics I did was helpful, but I did not have time for doing more topics. Anyways, if you do not have time, you can manage all topics on your own itself, as the books are quite helpful and sufficient. I did all topics completely, except for Abstract Algebra and Real Analysis, which I did from 12 markers point of view. But as I have mentioned, even they can be done completely.

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Thanks for the statistical optionals data for CSE, 2010.

11. on June 2, 2011 at 11:12 am | Reply Kashish Mittal @ankit: If one has not even completed one Optional once before Prelims, I think it is better to appear next time.

12. on June 2, 2011 at 11:26 am | Reply Kashish Mittal @Raj: Coaching of those topics did help me, but if you put in enough time, you can cover the syllabus yourself just by studying the books mentioned above thoroughly. I will write strategy for Physics shortly. While attempting an answer in Maths, I used to directly solve the problem, without writing any information/details which were not asked. However, care must be taken to mention all steps and give the necessary explanation for the steps (as is given in the solved examples). It is also helpful if you label the equations by equation numbers and use these equation numbers whenever you have to operate on these equations (e.g., dividing eq. 2 by eq. 4, or differentiating equation 3 w.r.t x, etc.). The answer must be technically complete, but there is no need to write any unnecessary detail. I think if you keep above in mind, you will do well in both University exams and the UPSC exam.

13. on June 3, 2011 at 7:28 am | Reply nitish do you know how is IMS coaching center (by venkanna k) for maths as DIAS is far from rajendra nagar. Also are there any better coaching for maths in rajendra nagar area. As I am from south india,i dont know much about delhi,please guide me Thank you nitish k

14. on June 3, 2011 at 10:04 am | Reply Barnava Sir, is solving the solved examples from Shanti Narayan’s Analytical Solid Geometry enough to attempt the questions set from geometry? Can I follow B.S. Grewal’s Engg. Maths for Laplace transformation? I have’nt followed Kreyszig. kashishmittal.wordpress.com/2011/05/28/strategy-for-mathematics/

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15. on June 4, 2011 at 2:48 am | Reply Kashish Mittal @nitish: I don’t know about any other coaching centers for maths in Delhi or elsewhere. However, even if you are not accessible to a good coaching center but do your books thoroughly, you can still score very well in the exam.

on June 4, 2011 at 3:16 am | Reply Kashish Mittal @Barnava: Yes, Shanti Narayan’s Analytical Solid Geometry is enough to attempt any question of Analytic Geometry. I haven’t been through B.S.Grewal’s book. Though Kreyszig + Brilliant Tutorials are good for Laplace Transformations, any book which contains the required theory and enough problems should be sufficient.

16. on June 10, 2011 at 10:36 am | Reply Sunny Hi, Can you tell me how did you attempt the following question in this years mains paper 2 section B. The question is : Determine whether the set S={e1-e2,e2-e3,e3-e4,………….,en-e1} is a set of linearly independent vectors or not. I just want to know the way of writing. Thank You

17. on June 10, 2011 at 3:40 pm | Reply Kashish Mittal @Sunny: In order to prove that a given set of vectors say a_1, a_2, ….a_n are linearly dependent, we just have to show the existence of scalars c_i (1