As a student, I see a ton of different work styles. Some people enjoy working near a deadline because it gives them a sense of urgency. Others like myself do things way in advance because they don’t want to stress about due dates.

As a physics student, I use a lot of mathematical techniques to solve problems. This isn’t surprising, seeing as though mathematics is the language of physics. I’ve learned how to use complex numbers, how an inner product isn’t only the usual dot product, and have seen how we can use Fourier series to solve more general boundary value problems that arise from differential equations governing electromagnetism or heat flow.

It’s easy to go overboard with the work we do. This is particularly true when we create something from an unlimited resource, such as words or sounds. We’re tempted to go on and on, making sure that we say enough. We don’t want people to misinterpret our message, so we seek to clarify beyond a reasonable doubt.

What does a final exam look like in mathematics?