Mathematics Optional Strategy by Prakash Rajpurohit (AIR-2)

Made with Remarkable!

Mathematics Optional Strategy by Prakash Rajpurohit (AIR-2)

Mathematics part-1

Before starting with the strategy I would like to answer a common question: What is the final score vis-à-vis correct attempt? It is true that there is heavy moderation of marks in science subjects especially in mathematics. But despite that it is possible to score very high. I got 390/600 in CSE-2008 and 427/600 in CSE-2009. My final score and correct attempt paper wise is:

2008: Paper I: I got 184/300. Correct attempt was 261/300. Paper II: I got 206/300. Correct attempt was around 250/300.

2009: Paper I: I got 209/300. Correct attempt was 300/300. Paper II: I got 218/300. Correct attempt was 285/300.

In the correct attempt I have counted only those answers which are absolutely correct. Paper I is relatively easy so the reduction is huge. Also do not confuse the term scaling down as only multiplication by a constant factor (some says scaling is 0.6 or 0.7). The statistical formulas are more complex and the subtraction part has larger weightage I guess (seeing the mark trends of all the students in last 2 years).
General tips for preparation:

  1. While preparing one should not be bothered about the moderation/scaling. Target should be to score maximum possible marks.
  2. In Paper I try to cover all the topics. If time does not permit then cover dynamics and statics from 12 markers point of view.
  3. In Paper II focus on the topics: Complex Analysis, Linear Programming, Partial Differential Equations and Numerical Analysis. Rest of the topics should be covered from 12 markers point of view.
  4. Make a fair copy and practice all the previous year questions in it.
  5. Practice with pen and paper(Many aspirants take this point casually and just read the solved examples)

  6. Do at least 3-4 papers in exam like conditions.
    General tips while attempting the paper:

  7. Ordering of questions does not matter. Attempt the questions which you know the best at the start.

  8. Try to finish each question in the 75-80% of the allotted time. For example, a 15 marks question has allotted time of 9 minutes. Try to finish it in 7 minutes. Rest 2 minutes must be spent on revising the answer. Rechecking entire paper at the end may not be possible. Try to work out the answer quickly in rough space. All this is important because wrong answer may carry heavy penalty.
  9. All the trivial calculations (like simple integration, algebraic and trigonometric manipulations) can be done in rough space to save time (I believe that showing them in answer might not carry any weightage).

Mathematics part 2

A major question that comes in the mind of an aspirant is whether she should go for selective or exhaustive preparation. I went for the exhaustive preparation, as most part of the syllabus was part of my graduation curriculum. But if time does not permit one can leave some topics from point of view of full 60 marks question. In this post I am giving topic wise preparation strategy.

Paper I

  1. Linear Algebra Focus should on understanding the definition of various terms mentioned in the syllabus (like vector spaces, subspaces, linear dependence and so on). While answering questions explain all the steps.

  2. Calculus Single variable calculus is not a problem for candidates. Refer to chapters (book I mentioned in the booklist) that deal with continuity and differentiability for 2 variables. For double and triple integration also refer to that book. The solved examples from that book are sufficient. The relevant chapters are:12,13,15,16,17,18. Theory is not important , just understand the techniques through solved examples.

  3. Analytic Geometry Refer book by PN Chaterjee(Rajhans Publications). This book contains solved examples and all the questions are taken from this book.

  4. Ordinary Differential Equations In this topic it is better to make a sheet of all the formulas and techniques. Practice all the solved questions of the book I have mentioned.

  5. Dynamics and Statics Completing the Krishna Series books(do only topics mentioned in the syllabus) will be sufficient for attempting 60 marks question. Common Catenary, central orbits, constrained motion should be covered in depth(that is do all the solved examples). For rest of the topics covering only few examples is sufficient.

  6. Vector Analysis In this topic make the formula sheet. And practice previous year questions. Regularly practice the derivations asked in the exam.

Paper II

  1. Algebra For the people who are totally new to this topic i would suggest that read the books i have mentioned 2-3 times. Then practice all the theorems and questions yourself 2-3 times.

  2. Real Analysis Cover chapters: 2- The Real Numbers(till page 24), 3-Neighbourhoods and Limit Point of a set(till page 11), 4 Countability of Sets(first 12 theorems and examples given at the end) 5,6,7(Regarding Sequence and series) 8. Real Functions. Limit and Continuity, 9,10,11,12,13,15,16. For the topics underlined cover the theorems also. For rest of the chapters solved examples are enough.

  3. Complex Analysis Cover this topic from any book. Practice this topic thoroughly.

  4. Linear Programming Practice is important. Improve upon the speed and accuracy for this topic.

  5. Partial Differential Equations Same as Ordinary Differential Equations.

  6. Numerical Analysis and Computer Programming Make the formula sheet for all the methods. Cover error analysis for newton raphson, lagrange interpolation, numerical integration. Draw flow chart and algorithm for all the numerical methods. Practice them regularly. For other topics i had M Morris Mano(this is digital electronics book). One can refer to the internet if she does not find the leftover topics in book.

  7. Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics For Mechanics focus on chapters of Lagrangian(cover it from Vol-II, Rigid Dyanamics-Krishna Series), Hamiltonian, Moment Of Inertia, D’Alembert’s principle. For Fluid Dynamics cover topics mentioned in the syllabus. The book of MD Raisinghania covers syllabus from IAS exam perspective also.

My methodology was to first cover the topic from the books. Then practice previous year questions from that topic. I covered the topics in the order mentioned in the syllabus. However it does not matter much. After covering the entire syllabus I practiced last 3-4 year papers in exam like conditions.

Mathematics book list

A lot of aspirants have asked me the best books to refer to for Mathematics Mains preparation. Almost all of the questions asked in the paper are solved examples from standard text-books. So it is important to identify the correct set of books for your preparation. Here I am providing the list of books which I referred to during my preparation. I was able to attempt all the questions during both my attempts.

Paper – I

Calculus – Shanti Narayan – Course on Mathematical Analysis (S. Chand)

Analytic Geometry – Shanti Narayan (S. Chand)

Ordinary Differential Equations – M.D. Raisinghania (S. Chand)

Statics – Krishna Series

Dynamics – Krishna Series

Paper – II

Algebra – (a) Khanna and Bhambri (b) I. N. Herstein

Real Analysis – MD. Raisinghania – Elements of Real Analysis (S. Chand)

Complex Analysis – Krishna Series

Linear Programming – Krishna Series

Partial Differential Equations– M.D. Raisinghania + (Some portion of book on Boundary Value Problem by S. Chand)

Numerical Analysis – Jain and Iynger

Fluid Dynamics – M.D. Raisinghania

Mechanics – Krishna Series (Rigid Dynamics vol.-1 and Vo.-II)

For Linear Algebra and Vector Analysis, I could not find any books relevant to the exam. So I referred to Brilliant Tutorials material to practice questions.

https://prakashrajpurohit.wordpress.com/

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 18, 2020 at 7:08 AM

    Hi
    In mathematics optional
    Marks given by examinar

    Is stepwise,
    Or after match the exact answer

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mathematics Optional Strategy by Anubhav Singh (Rank-8/UPSC-2017)

Made with Remarkable! Mathematics Optional Strategy by Anubhav Singh (Rank-8/UPSC-2017) Q. What’s your optional subject and why did you chose it and not something else? Ans:Mathematics was my favourite subject since my schooldays. But this was not the sole criteria on which i decided to take maths as optional in UPSC, I reckoned that this was the subject in which I could score maximum. Along with interest, pragmatism should also inform the choice of optional subject. Q. If a new player wants to pick your subject, would you advice for it or against it? Ans: My considered view is that one should take maths only if he has a strong inclination and background in it. Anyone (and not only IIT grads) can take this optional subject to the above mentioned conditions. One should not be tempted by stellar marks of some successful candidates as there are a lot more candidates consistently scoring low marks.
Read more

Mathematics Optional Strategy of Utsav Kaushal( AIR-14 2016)

Made with Remarkable! Mathematics Optional Strategy of Utsav Kaushal Utsav Kaushal secured an admirable all India rank of 14 in the 2016 UPSC civil services exam. He had taken Mathematics as his optional subject. Given below are a few valuable tips from IAS topper Utsav Kaushal: Firstly, for scoring good marks in the mathematics optional you need to put a lot of hard work. You should solve as many problems as you can. Practice alone can help you here. Don’t shy away from hard work! Don’t copy solutions. It is important that you try and solve the problems on your own. Do not jump to the solution as and when you encounter a problem. You will be able to learn only when you practise problems yourself. Abstract algebra is a topic that is anathema for many candidates. Most of the candidates leave this topic and many are scared of it. Skipping this topic would be a mistake since in the previous years, man
Read more