Saturday, November 8, 2008

Strategy for Mathematics as an optional in IAS Exam.

Mathematics is amongst one of the most scoring optionals in Civil Services examination. This is the only subject which can easily give one 400 + marks like 431 scored by Pradeep Agrawal (Rank. 30, CSE 2005). Top 20 is always replete with candidates having Mathematics as their one of the two optionals. Topper of 2006 exam M. Veluraju also had it as one of his optionals. In the last decade Mathematics has produced maximum number of toppers. In last few years, popularity of Maths has declined little bit due to false propeganda against the subject . Along with Physics/ engg. subject, it can be safely opted as a first or second optional .
Who can opt for it
Apart from main stream Mathematics students, any one from engineering / Physics background can opt for it. Beauty of the Subject is its language / presentation neutral approach. Mathematics is truly regarded as language of Physics/ engineering disciplines, so it comes very handy to them.

What is against the subject ?.
Perceived notion of its time consuming nature, which is not true. This subject, by judicious planning can be easily prepared within 4 months like any other subject and believe me, if prepared well, Maths will never disappoint you.
Strategy for Mathematics in Mains Examination
Like any other optional, Mathematics in CSE comprise of two papers of 300 marks each. Each paper being divided into two sections of 4 questions each. Section A of paper I Comprise of the courses like Linear Algebra & Matrices, Integral & Differential calculus & Geometry of 2D & 3D. In this section if one prepares any two courses thoroughly , then one is preparing for minimum of 165 marks( 2 full questions and three bits) from the compulsory question. At the most one has to leave one bit from the compulsory question. Courses of Algebra & Calculus should not be omitted due to their linkages from the courses of paper II.

In Section B, we have the courses of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE) , Vector Analysis & Mechanics. ODE and Vectors are regarded as simple courses, so normally “good “ questions are asked from them. These days more weight is given to their applied aspects . Therefore they should be well prepared from the Schaum series books by
M R Spiegel apart from standard books by Indian writers like diff. equations by M D Raisinghania / N M Kapoor/ Vector Analysis by J N Sharma. With . the latest revision of syllabus , syllabus of Statics/ dynamics has been trimmed . This portion is scoring and can be well prepared from Krishna Series (Meerut ) books
Strategy for paper II
Section A of paper II comprises of Modern Algebra, Real Analysis, Complex Analysis & Linear programming problems. Courses of Real Analysis & Calculus are overlapping, therefore one must definitely prepare for this course. According to prevailing opinion among experts, questions from Modern Algebra are short & scoring provided they have been adequately prepared & presented. Here help of good teachers like Prof. Ramakotaih (former V. C of Nagarjun University and having 45 years of teaching experience, associated with DIAS since last many years) proves very beneficial to students. From complex Analysis & LPP, one full question & two bits in the compulsory part are asked. One may prepare LPP question and may or may not prepare complex
Analysis part This way, If one prepares Modern Algebra, Real Analysis and LPP, then 3 full questions can be prepared from this section
Section B comprises of Partial differential equations (P D E), Numerical Analysis (NA) and Computer programming and .Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.
P D E and NA being simple courses should be prepared .

5 comments:

Gaurav Choudhary said...

Hi

I am not one of the best at maths but find it interesting. What are my chances in maths if i am not from IIT or equivalent college. Whats better Maths or Geog?

tushar said...

What is the best ias coaching institute for math?.How is DIAS?

Unknown said...

Hi

I am not one of the best at maths but find it interesting. What are my chances in maths if i am not from IIT or equivalent college. Whats better Maths or Geog?

Anonymous said...

hi sir,
is uniqueness theorem and wronskian of ode is in the syllabus of ias.

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