#prob theory

[realtalk-tj]

between prob theory and diffie which is less hard/easier on grades? i dont want a super difficult class for senior year but i also dont want to take rs.

Response from Flitwick: 

Hmmm... I think it depends. Diffie can be sort of procedural and if you understand the intuition and logic behind why you do what you do, you can do pretty well. Sometimes, though, you can just get away with just throwing a formula at a problem (because it’s something you can derive, but with a lot of effort that you don’t have time for). However, I think Prob is a little more interesting and while you might have a rough time wrapping your head around discrete topics (generally, probability and combinatorics is hard and can be really unintuitive) you’ll get out what you put in. 

More info here: https://realtalk-tj.tumblr.com/post/190200005641/could-you-please-explain-in-more-detail-what-each

[realtalk-tj]

should I take amt or prob 2nd semester? Is prob pretty useful/fun class/how hard is it?

Response from Flitwick:

I think you should really do what your heart desires second semester, assuming you’re gonna be a senior by then. I think AMT has its own gems and stuff that it covers that makes it unique, but prob theory seems to be a really interesting course that’s kinda focused on the fundamentals and laying groundwork for what you did in RS1 - coming full circle, so to speak. I think AMT can be difficult to keep up with, especially with problem sets, but I don’t know how to compare it to prob theory considering this is Mr. White’s first time teaching it. I’d assume they’re each difficult in their own way.

[realtalk-tj]

Is there a prob theory class second semester??

Response from Flitwick: 

I found out that there is one, also taught by Mr. White, during 7th period second semester. 

[realtalk-tj]

how is prob theory with mr. white? Is it pretty easy to get an A since I heard mr. white's concrete class is pretty shaft?

Response from Flitwick: 

We’re going to find out together, I guess. Nobody knows because Mr. White’s never taught a prob theory class, so... 

Response from Trelawney:

If this helps at all, I know that prob theory with Carey last year was a breeze for many of my friends who took it last year. I don’t know how it will be with White, but hopefully not too different?

[realtalk-tj]

should I take complex or prob theory? btw I'm decent in math, but not like super smart at math. I want to take complex since it sounds interesting as a subject, but I'm worried about the grade as it is 1st semester and I'm a rising senior.

Response from Flitwick: 

I think if you’re worried about the grade, I’d personally be a little more worried if you took complex than if you took prob theory. However, although I think complex is definitely harder and requires more work, I do think the difference will end up being in at most one letter grade, so if you think complex is more interesting, it might be worth it for you to really struggle and take the course and take the hit if necessary. 

[realtalk-tj]

How is prob theory? I heard it was pretty ez with carey, but im not sure with mr. white since I heard his concrete class is a shaft.

Response from Fat Friar:

I didn’t take prob theory myself, but I’m sitting next to a friend who took prob theory with Carey last year. He says that prob theory is the easiest post-multi math class he’s taken at TJ. He also took concrete with Mr. White, who was a hard teacher, mainly because the class was disorganized. The material of prob theory is not that hard but Mr. White can make the class itself hard.

Response from Flitwick: 

I’m personally used to Mr. White’s teaching style - knowing him, he’ll make the class material harder, but he’ll likely also add a lot of padding to bring up people’s grades instead of just getting destroyed on tests. Having taken Concrete, I think that class is hard because the material itself actually not easy to grasp all in one go, not  because he’s “disorganized.”  That being said, Concrete is being discontinued if there’s not enough interest. 

[realtalk-tj]

Since Kauffman retired, will jones be the new ap chem teacher? Also who teaches prob theory other than carey?

Response from Flitwick: 

No, Jones will probably not be an AP Chem teacher next year - more likely, Chhabra or a new chemistry teacher will be teaching AP. Prob Theory will be taught by Mr. White next year as he’s taking over the class after Carey leaves.