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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Introduction to Mathematical Thinking by Stanford University

4.8
stars
2,647 ratings

About the Course

Learn how to think the way mathematicians do – a powerful cognitive process developed over thousands of years. Mathematical thinking is not the same as doing mathematics – at least not as mathematics is typically presented in our school system. School math typically focuses on learning procedures to solve highly stereotyped problems. Professional mathematicians think a certain way to solve real problems, problems that can arise from the everyday world, or from science, or from within mathematics itself. The key to success in school math is to learn to think inside-the-box. In contrast, a key feature of mathematical thinking is thinking outside-the-box – a valuable ability in today’s world. This course helps to develop that crucial way of thinking....

Top reviews

NR

Mar 4, 2018

An awesome course. Very easy to follow at the start, becomes more challenging at the end. I have a PhD in economics yet I struggled with the real analysis at the end. And that's just intro level! :-D

AM

Nov 23, 2019

It was an amazing course! Lots of interesting content. The content is also explained really well, i found it really easy to understand. The assessments are a little challenging, but reasonably sized.

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576 - 600 of 662 Reviews for Introduction to Mathematical Thinking

By TUHIN S M

Mar 6, 2021

good

By Hữu Đ

Oct 19, 2018

nice

By Bharath

Apr 5, 2017

best

By Arnav J

Apr 11, 2022

Yay

By Celine D

Dec 24, 2017

:)

By 朱腾云

May 24, 2017

很好

By Yining S

May 13, 2017

很棒

By Benit G

Apr 3, 2021

.

By Subhee

Apr 24, 2020

k

By Meg- n n

Jul 2, 2017

v

By Hariprasad G

Feb 15, 2018

It is clear that a lot of effort has gone into developing this MOOC, with engaging content and splendid delivery by Prof. Devlin throughout. This is commendable, especially considering the course is traditionally meant for a conventional classroom and a lot of peer interaction, which is hard to simulate in a MOOC.

The Rubric was a little hard to wrap your head around, and often I found my views clashing with that of the instructor (I'm sure he's right, but as a student it's not always easy to see where he's coming from. For example, if you've been lenient in your moderation and given a middling score to a proof, but he's gone on to trash the same proof)

Having said that, it was a delight to learn with the Professor, who emphasizes first principles, assumes nothing, and teaches you to do the same.

By Andreas W

Jul 6, 2023

The general approach is welcoming even to non-mathematicians or beginner students of mathematics. But I find the progression is too step starting with Module 6.

On the other hand, Mr Devlin cracked open the doors to so many different concepts within mathematics and beyond that I will have plenty of subjects to work on over the coming months and years.

"Incidentally", I think the course really carries out what it puts forth: introducing people to think like mathematicians. I now understand what studying mathematics really means.

Thank you Keith for all these insights.

By Bodner N

May 25, 2017

Excellent, this was the course I would have needed when I started at university. I really enjoyed to puzzle arround, try to solve the problems and get my brain working. Only minus is the MOOC form, that does not allow for the assessments, which keeps the course a little low impact. Eventually, I would not have been able to take it if I would have had to invest more time ;-) . For me it was a perfect reminder to get into it again. Thanks.

By PhiSanti

Oct 30, 2022

Great course, it gives a good introduction intro mathematical notation and the proof method. If you are going to do any kind of engineering or mathematically oriented course, I highly recommend you to join as you will have to develop formulas and proof different theorems. Also, if you like analytical philosopy, this will be a boost to your profile.

By Deleted A

Jul 26, 2017

I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot! It became very difficult to follow toward the end, and I thought the standard of explanation was diminished by the end of week 8 so I could no longer follow. This was reflected in my final assignment, as I was not able to complete questions 9 and 10. Thanks for a great course!

By Pritha N

Jul 1, 2022

It was one of the best experiences I had...I was exposed to basic college-level mathematics which motivated me.. I really liked the process that not only marks matter, but what matters is thinking analytically and applying it in the real world..thank you to Dr Keith Devlin for such an innovative course

By Cássio M B V

May 3, 2017

excellent course. Unfortunately i lacked the algebric basis to follow and completely understand all the exercises and examples given. I followed all lessons trough the end, but was not able to do the test flight and complete it. but i will try again in future, when my algebric skills are better

By Ross A

May 11, 2020

This is really an introduction to mathematical proofs after going through some formal logic and mathematical quantifiers.

Keith Devlin is an excellent presenter and the problems he sets during the course all relate well to the topic he has discussed.

No practical use, but thoroughly enjoyable.

By Sunita S

Aug 7, 2023

It's a beginner friendly course. Found the number theory and real analysis basic part a bit hard to follow, but if a student is determined and works on the assignments given by Professor Keith Devlin, he/she can do well in these topics as well. Enjoyed this whole course a lot! :)

By Noor S

Jan 4, 2021

Every thing is quite good in my opinion. The only problem is that community is not so active.

I really learn some amazing stuff, that helped my improve in many things, including competitive programming, computer science study, critical thinking and of course, mathematical proofs.

By Roman S

May 19, 2023

Despite the lector was considerably inconsistent in final part of the course (grading students and selfish profs) the site gives me a lot of renewal information. This mentioned inconsistence looks like already was even a good feature! Thanks for the course!

By jeffrey o

Sep 3, 2017

I thought it was very interesting and for someone who has not taken a math course in 55+ years challenging. I wish Professor Devlin would have explained some things to a greater extent but I suppose for most of the class, that was not necessary.

By bogdan c

Feb 24, 2020

i liked following this course. i just have some minor remarks: it felt like it was a little bit too "slow" although i agree with the idea that acceding to "mathematical thining" takes time. also i found the quizzes during courses annoying.

By Juan C A R

Mar 23, 2022

This is for mathematicians, so it's a bit difficult for someone with few knowledge of mathematics at all. It's very good bcause it develps the correct logic for it but I think this course needs more words to explain the common things

By Dhanada M

May 4, 2020

This is an excellent course that I would strongly recommend to anybody interested in picking up some fundamental skills essential for developing a Mathematical way of thinking! Such a skill would be valuable in a range of fields.