Ram Prakash (AIR-162 CSE-17) Mathematics Strategy

A very detailed strategy courtesy Ram.

Strategy in his words:

I opted for Maths Optional as I had huge interest in Maths subject. Since childhood, I did well in the subject and thus confident of doing well here as well. Also, Maths and science optional provides you guarantee that if you have attempted paper well then you are sure to get good marks unlike humanities subject. Maths Optional can sure shot give a lead of 50+marks at Mains stage.

Strategy for Maths Optional:

Static Syllabus. For most topics we have standard textbooks available. List of books is given at the end of this article.

I did not used IMS notes (except for Linear Algebra). I relied on standard textbooks. Almost 80–85% questions asked in the CSE/IFoS Exam are the

solved examples of these standard textbooks.

In the first phase, I tried to study the theory of each topic along with few examples. At this time, I maintained topicwise Notes as well as Formula Sheet topicwise. I used to add new formulas/key concept/ideas to solve a particular problem subsequently.

I left none of the topic mentioned in the syllabus. From 2014 onward, UPSC is mixing different topics in a single question. So one can’t afford to leave a topic.

I tried to solve UPSC CSE and IFoS Maths past years papers (2008 onwards). This is essential as the questions asked are repetitive in nature.

From the textbooks, I used to do only those (OR similar ) problems which are already asked in the exam. Since syllabus is vast so selective study is essential to keep track of your preparation.

I joined IMS Test Series thrice (2015, 2016, 2017). However, I solved IMS past year’s test series (2012 onwards) at home. So in total I solved more than 100 IMS test papers, apart from last 9 years IAS/IFoS papers.

For IMS test series, I made sure to attempt the test as IMS schedule.

In the Test Series, I used to attempt questions from difficult section (such as 3D, Fluid dynamics, Real Analysis, Modern Algebra) as well. This is to ensure that in the actual exam I have enough choices available.

For those problems whose solutions is not available, I used to search it on google books. Then I cut and paste those topicwise. Hence, in the end , I had compilation of most of the problems. I will share that soon.

As the marking pattern in this optional is binary, answer matching is essential to get good marks. So, in your correct attempt, count only those question for which you are getting exact answer. Practice this in your test series.

BOOK LIST

Maths Paper I

Linear Algebra

• Schaum’s outline on Linear Algebra
• IMS Notes on Linear Algebra

Calculus

• Mathematical Analysis by Malik and Arora
• Differential Calculus (Krishna Series)
• Integral Calculus (Krishna Series)

Analytic Geometry

• Analytic Geometry (3D) (Krishna Series)
• Golden Solid Geometry

Ordinary Differential Equations

• Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations by MD Raisinghania
• Advanced Differential Equations by MD Raisinghania

Vector Calculus

• Vector Calculus (Krishna Series)
• Schaum’s outline on Vector Analysis

Statics and Dynamics

• Statics (Krishna Series) Dynamics (Krishna Series)

Maths Paper II

Modern Algebra

• Group Theory by R Kumar (Vardhaman Publications)
• Ring Theory by R Kumar (Vardhaman Publications)

Real Analysis

• Mathematical Analysis by Malik and Arora

Complex Analysis

• Schaum’s Outlines Complex Variables

Linear Programming Problems (LPPs)

• Operations Research (Krishna Series)

Partial Differential Equations

• Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations by MD Raisinghania
• Advanced Differential Equations by MD Raisinghania

Numerical Analysis and Computer Programming

• Numerical Methods by Jain and Iyengar
• Grewal, Engineering Mathematics

Mechanics

• Rigid Dynamics (Vol I) (Krishna Series)

Fluid Dynamics

• Fluid Dynamics, MD Raisinghania

ATB!!