Recitations

REC # RECITATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

1

Math Topics: Probability: Sample Spaces

Writing Topics: Precision, Rigor, Formality

Description: Work through the process of generating a rigorous proof of Problem 1 of Homework 1 (below) with emphasis on choosing an appropriate sample space.

Pre-Recitation Assignment

Read the Probability Theory (PDF) lecture notes

Do Pre-recitation Assignment 1 (PDF)

Post-Recitation Assignment

Write a proof: Do Problem 1 of Homework 1 (PDF)

 

 

 

2

Math Topics: Probability: Independence & Multiplication

Writing Topics: Proof Rigor & Level of Detail

Description: Discuss the proof in the pre‐recitation assignment and how it breaks down, with emphasis on the importance of independence and how the choice of notation obscures whether the events are independent.

Pre-Recitation Assignment

Do Problem 1(a) of Homework 2 (PDF)

Post-Recitation Assignment

Correct the wrong proof: Do Problem 1(b) of Homework 2 (PDF)

 

 

 

3

Math Topics: Chernoff Bound

Writing Topics: Explanatory and Guiding Text

Description: Draw the logic of the proof of Chernoff bound, both to demonstrate that the flow of text may or may not match the flow of the underlying logic and to ensure understanding of the proof. Then discuss where the Chernoff bound lecture notes would benefit from additional guiding or explanatory text. "Guiding text" helps readers see the structure of the text or of the logic, while "explanatory text" helps readers understand or elaborates upon the logical argument.

Pre-Recitation Assignment

Do Pre-recitation Assignment 3 (PDF)

Post-Recitation Assignment

Revise lecture notes: Do Problem 1 of Homework 3 (PDF) using these additional files chernoff.tex (TEX), ulem.sty (STY), xcolor.sty (STY)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

Math Topics: None

Writing Topics: Information Order and Connectivity (Cohesion)

Description: Briefly summarize "The Science of Scientific Writing" by Gopen and Swan and use the worksheet (below) to solidify the ideas. Analyze Sample Proofs 1 and 2 (below), which are modified from the lecture notes to show how connectivity (cohesion) can be created by starting sentences with "old information that links backward" and using it to introduce the sentence's important new information. Sketch the proof's logic to demonstrate that although text is one-dimensional, it must communicate logic that is multidimensional. A sketch of the logic can provide ideas for how to approach this challenge.

Worksheet: Improving Information Order and Connectivity (PDF)

Sample Proofs 1 and 2 (PDF)

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Sketch of the Logic (PDF)

Pre-Recitation Assignment

Carefully read Sections 1 and 2 of the Generating Functions (PDF) lecture notes

Post-Recitation Assignment

Do Homework 5 (PDF) using these additional files hw5.tex (TEX)

5 Review for Exam 1: Work through Practice Exam 1 (PDF)

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

Math Topics: Simplex and Linear Programming Practice

Writing Topics: Although this recitation does not have an explicit communication topic, it models drawing-to-learn.

Description: After reviewing some of the questions on the exam, work through a two-dimensional example of the simplex method while graphing each step to see how the simplex method can be understood visually.

Pre-Recitation Assignment

None

Post-Recitation Assignment

Work on Homework 6 (PDF): Term paper assignment

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

Math Topics: None

Writing Topics: Audiences, Explaining a Topic to an Informal Audience

Description: Discuss how communication is affected by context, not only for MIT News articles, but in other contexts as well, including journal articles. Discuss how to explain generating functions, union bound, and the max flow / min cut theorem to a nontechnical audience.

Pre-Recitation Assignment

Do Pre-recitation Assignment 7 (PDF): Writing for your Audience

Post-Recitation Assignment

Do Homework 7 (PDF): Write an MIT News style article

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

Math Topics: Linear Programming Duality

Writing Topics: Designing Visuals

Description: Discuss the meaning of the figure in the Pre-Recitation Assignment, its purpose, and how it could be revised to communicate more effectively.

Pre-Recitation Assignment

Before recitation, go over Section 4 (Dual) of the Network Flows (PDF) notes and observe the figure on page 6, which represents a dual solution to a maximum flow problem. Briefly, answer the following questions:

- What is the purpose of the figure?

- Why is this figure useful? What content does it convey effectively?

- How could the figure be improved? What content does it fail to represent?

 

Post-Recitation Assignment

None

9 Review for Exam 2: Work through Practice Exam 2 (PDF)

 

 

 

10

Math Topics: Euclid's Algorithm & Number Theory

Writing Topics: None

Description: Work through Problems Related to Euclid's Algorithm and Number Theory (PDF).

Pre-Recitation Assignment

None

Post-Recitation Assignment

Revise the term paper as described in Problem 1 of Homework 9 (PDF)

 

 

 

11

Math Topics: Primality Testing & RSA

Writing Topics: None

Description: Work through problems related to fast modular exponentiation, primality testing, and Carmichael numbers. 

Pre-Recitation Assignment

None

Post-Recitation Assignment

None

 

 

 

12

Math Topics: None

Writing Topics: Peer Critique

Description: In small groups, students discuss their papers. 

Pre-Recitation Assignment

Critique the term papers of two classmates as described in Homework 10 (PDF)

Post-Recitation Assignment

Revise the term paper in part based on the peer critique, as described in Homework 6 (PDF)

13 Review for Exam 3: Work through Practice Exam 3 (PDF)