Graphs are mathematical structures that model pairwise relations between objects. They are represented by vertices and edges where the edges may be directed or undirected. Whenever I am working on some research problem using graphs, my friends who are unfamiliar with graph theory question why I am thinking about graphs and not writing programs. Although I try my best to give an easily understandable reason, OxDE has explained it really well: (more…)
Archive for February, 2009
The Power of Graphs
Friday, February 27th, 2009Abstracts
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009Abstracts are important. Recently my co-authors and I submitted a paper which we were all pleased with from a technical point of view. However, one of my co-authors was adamant (and rightly so) that we need to polish the abstract and introduction as much as possible. The abstract is useful in highlighting the key results and getting the reader interested in the paper. The abstract should also give a consise outline of the results of the paper. (more…)
Mathematics Jobs
Friday, February 20th, 2009There was recently an interesting survey on the ‘best’ jobs. The findings were compiled by Les Krantz, author of Jobs Rated Almanac, and are based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau. It turns out that mathematics is top of the list. The criteria of the survey was manifold: (more…)
Good Mathematics
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009Arxiv is where you normally expect preprints of technical papers in mathematics, physics and computer science. However, it was a surprise to run into a general essay on ‘good mathematics’ by Terrance Tao. Tao has considered more tha
n 21 dimensions of what good mathematics can mean. The following is the list from the essay: (more…)
Blum’s Advice (part 2)
Friday, February 13th, 2009Manuel Blum has some helpful advice for graduate students starting a PhD. This is a sequel to the previous entry.
Blum refers to the joke that ‘a PhD knows more and more about less and less
until he knows everything about nothing.’ He explains that although, it may seem that one is working on a minute area, if one masters that minute area, it helps one see the broader universe in a new light. (more…)
