tips and suggestions for the Math 189 Oral Final Exam

1. Here are a few tips on the Oral Exam Jason offers for the final, since there wasn’t a lot
of direction about it.
1 Pick some problems from the book or lectures or exams
and memorize them. Pick one good problem from each of
the five sections.
The five sections are:
1. Logic
2. Set Theory
3. Functions
4. Counting
5. Graph Theory
1.1 What Makes a Problem a GOOD Problem?
A problem is a good problem if it demonstrates each of the principles taught in the section
it is referencing. It is especially good if it encorporates multiple proof styles. (For example,
a proof that uses induction to provide a contradiction).
A problem is also good if it is a proof of something and not just computation.
Finally, a problem is good if it involves using a theorem and definitions.
2 Memorize the problems.
Once you go into your appointment, you’ll be asked to write up 3 or 4 of your proofs. They
can’t all be from the same section and two of the proofs must use induction.
3 Present your problems
First, be prepared to explain why this is a good problem to present and why you think it
represents its section well. Remember that a lot of these areas overlap. (You can easily
find a graph theory problem that uses functions, sets, induction, and the contrapositive,
for example)
1

2. As you go through your proofs, be ready to explain what you are doing, why you are
doing that way, how the definitions or assumptions fit into what you are doing, and any
number of other questions Jason may ask.
Take a deep breath, and THINK
note : If you ask Jason, he may or may not allow you to have the problems written down
beforehand. Notice that I said the PROBLEMS. He won’t allow you to have the solutions
written down during the exam. Again, he MAY OR MAY NOT allow this. You’ll have to
ask him.
When a math professor says you should be able to talk about math, he means you
should be able to write and present a proof as well as explain it. It won’t be questions like
”So what do you think about graph theory?”
Good Luck!
2