CSC165 Exam Info

• Exam format: 6 proofs. The format is similar to what you saw in questions 4-7 on the midterm. Questions 1-5 are worth 15 points each, and are of varying difficulty. Question 6 is the "A+ question" (note that the equivalence [x solved Q6]<=>[x got an A+ in CSC165] will very likely be satisfiable, but likely won't be a tautology). It's worth 8 points, and requires both writing a detailed structured proof and some creative problem solving. It's a question about numbers, so the solution will be similar in format to what you saw in the assignments/in tutorials.
• Coverage: basically, everything we did. But: there will be no questions directly related to the material covered in Chapter 5 (though understanding the proofs in Chapter 5 is useful for developing a greater understanding of how proofs work, which is part of why material from Chapter 5 is included in the course description.) I will not ask you to reproduce the more difficult proofs we did, such as the irrationality of sqrt(2) or the fact that there is an infinite number of primes. Basically, expect problems that are similar in style to what you saw on the assignments, in the tutorial handouts, and on the midterm.
• Just like on the midterm, if you answer with "I don't know," you'll receive 10% of the marks. If you supply the correct proof structure (i.e., assume something, let something else, then [conclusion] etc.) without filling in the actual proof, you'll receive more than 10% of the marks.
• Grades in general: the everage mark in CSC165 is usually around 70% (there's no rule that it must be 70%). When grading, we will be mindful of the fact that the exam scheduling is (to put it mildly) not ideal (I tried my best to change it, but the exam schedule is set by the Faculty of Arts and Science; blame them)
• Advice on how to study: make sure you understand all the examples/proofs done in lecture, all the assignments problems, and all the midterm problems. For assignment problems, if you lost marks, make sure you understand that you know why. Try practicing writing solutions to problems whose solution you don't remember exactly: you don't know that you understand a proof until you're actually able to write it down on your own. Webpages from past semesters contain term tests with solutions (look at the tests that were given closer to the end of the term) and problem sets with solutions. It also makes sense to look at past exams (focus on the proof questions.)
• The formula sheet supplied with the exam
• Good luck! I hope everyone does awesome on the exam.