Should I bother learning Differential Equations?

Forum for the GRE subject test in mathematics.
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mnbv
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:10 pm

Should I bother learning Differential Equations?

Post by mnbv » Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:17 pm

So I've never taken a class in differential equations. I'm debating if it's a good investment of my time to study it for the GRE. Specifically, I was wondering how often it comes up, and whether you guys would recommend studying it at all or just forfeiting those questions and focusing on other topics.

Legendre
Posts: 217
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:05 am

Re: Should I bother learning Differential Equations?

Post by Legendre » Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:30 am

IMHO it worth it go through the differential equations section of Princeton Review's book. It will just take 1-2 days, but might help you answer 2-3 questions on the test.

Unless you're running out of preparation time. Then skip it.

Topoltergeist
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:18 pm

Re: Should I bother learning Differential Equations?

Post by Topoltergeist » Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:59 am

I agree with Legendre. There will probably be some "hard" ODE questions on the exam which will require more than what the Princeton review covers. By hard I mean it will not necessarily require advanced ODE methods, but will combine an ODE problem with some other area of mathematics. But there will DEFINITELY be some straight up ODE questions. It will most certainly be a positive return on your investment.



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