• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

Pure Vs Applied Mathematics (1 Viewer)

lolcakes52

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
286
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
G.H Hardy said The distinction between pure and applied mathematics is simply that applied mathematics seeks to express physical truth in a mathematical framework, whereas pure mathematics expressed truths that are independent of the physical world.

I agree totally, pure mathematics generally holds greater beauty and often we find applications of pure mathematical discovers in the real world.
 

seanieg89

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2006
Messages
2,662
Gender
Male
HSC
2007
For me, pure > applied. Statistics doesn't really feature on the scale since it too has applied AND theoretical components.

Of the major branches of pure mathematics my favourite is analysis, especially complex analysis and harmonic analysis. Abstract algebra, number theory and certain aspects of topology are also pretty interesting but I haven't delved too deeply into discrete mathematics yet.

With applied mathematics, my interest is largely driven by what its applications are! Lagrangian dynamics (and calculus of variations in general) can answer some really interesting classical questions about mechanics. My favourite of all applied mathematics fields though is probably game theory, mainly because of its applications to poker.
 

Carrotsticks

Retired
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
9,494
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
With applied mathematics, my interest is largely driven by what its applications are! Lagrangian dynamics (and calculus of variations in general) can answer some really interesting classical questions about mechanics. My favourite of all applied mathematics fields though is probably game theory, mainly because of its applications to poker.
I wonder if USYD has a card counting club.
 

seanieg89

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2006
Messages
2,662
Gender
Male
HSC
2007
I wonder if USYD has a card counting club.
Maybe. As far as I know its pretty hard to do these days, and does not give you that much of an edge in return. Poker can be very profitable though, as casinos/online rooms don't care how much money you win off OTHER people.
 

Trebla

Administrator
Administrator
Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
8,402
Gender
Male
HSC
2006
I wonder if USYD has a card counting club.
I remember there being a poker society but I'm not sure if it still exists anymore

Game theory is pretty cool, though you'll need to do advanced microeconomics to learn it at USYD. I did the 3rd year advanced microeconomics and there were some neat algorithms to reach an equilibrium which involved bargaining, auctions and even match making...
 
Last edited:

hayabusaboston

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Messages
2,387
Location
Calabi Yau Manifold
Gender
Male
HSC
2013
o im a pure person, applied doesnt reach past our physical reach, (metaphorically speaking), so thats why pure is more beautiful to me. I enjoy itmuch more :D
 

lolcakes52

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
286
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
Card counting is difficult in australia because the casinos use larger decks and auto shufflers, which both decrease the casinos yield and the ease of counting cards.
 

math man

Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
503
Location
Sydney
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
Which do I pick?
a) pure
b) applied

I pick mysterious option c) stats :p
But I equally love all 3, each having their pros and "cons"
 

shaon0

...
Joined
Mar 26, 2008
Messages
2,029
Location
Guess
Gender
Male
HSC
2009
I was thinking of doing Pure Maths till the end of 2nd yr but know probably more oriented towards Applied Maths as it's more applicable to real world phenomena than pure.
 

jet

Banned
Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Messages
3,148
Gender
Male
HSC
2009
I used to think I was an Applied person but then I went to uni and realised that I liked Pure more. Real and Complex Analysis was an amazing subject. I'm also really interested in Geometry/Topology/Algebra. PDEs was boring, same thing over and over again.
 

cutemouse

Account Closed
Joined
Apr 23, 2007
Messages
2,250
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
:eek: Jetblack... No longer mod, and you were banned before? :O
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top