The Infinite Actuary -- Spring 2009

[daaaave]

Hello Everyone,

The Infinite Actuary's online seminar for 4/C is now available. You can find more information here (http://www.theinfiniteactuary.com/?page=joint_4c). One of the changes from our Fall 2008 seminar is that I will be taking over from Mary Pat Campbell. I am still recording lessons, but her complete lessons are still available to all students. Both versions cover the material in a fairly similar order, partially to make it easier for people who want to work ahead and use both. Continuing students who need a subscription extension can get access to both versions of the seminar by contacting customer service (http://theinfiniteactuary.com/?page=contact). We will also be offering a live seminar. More information about the live seminar can be found here (http://www.theinfiniteactuary.com/files/joint_4c/C_Seminar_2009_DAL.pdf). The Infinite Package contains both the online and live seminar.

If you are not familiar with online seminars at The Infinite Actuary (they are very different from other online seminars), then please watch this video (www.theinfiniteactuary.com/files/What.wmv). You can also read this page (http://theinfiniteactuary.com/?page=online) and view our FAQs (http://theinfiniteactuary.com/?page=faq).

Five lessons have been made available for free. You can view these lessons by going to this page (http://theinfiniteactuary.com/?page=exams&id=136). Open the Loss Models section and then the Key Probability Ideas section. The lessons in Section A.1 can be watched by anyone. I recommend you watch those lessons before purchasing the online seminar to see what you are buying. There are also two sample lesssons from the 2008 version of the seminar here (http://theinfiniteactuary.com/?page=exams&id=4).

I am also attaching a study schedule that includes references to the Loss Models textbook so it can be used whether or not you use the online seminar.

If you have any questions, then please let me know.

Thanks,
Dave Revelle

[Nonpareil]

Are the references to Loss Models for the 2nd edition? I have the 3rd edition of the textbook.

[Brilock]

Are the references to Loss Models for the 2nd edition? I have the 3rd edition of the textbook.

In the attached study schedule it refers to Loss Models 3rd Ed. and Derivative Markets 2nd Ed.

[no driver]

How far are you in the schedule with your lesson recording? Will you be able to keep up with the suggested study schedule in getting the new lessons posted (all up by 3/25)?

[Nonpareil]

I am still confused by the schedule. I don't see 3.4, 9.11.1, 9.11.2, or Chapter 8 mentioned anywhere. Where are these topics covered in the TIA course?

[daaaave]

How far are you in the schedule with your lesson recording? Will you be able to keep up with the suggested study schedule in getting the new lessons posted (all up by 3/25)?

I'm currently about two weeks ahead of the schedule, and since I am now doing this full time, I will be able to stay ahead of schedule.

I am still confused by the schedule. I don't see 3.4, 9.11.1, 9.11.2, or Chapter 8 mentioned anywhere. Where are these topics covered in the TIA course?

Sorry, I was a little vague on what parts of the text are in lessons that I haven't finished recording when making the schedule. Since they are used so heavily on the exam, I spend a lesson in TIA A.2 looking at the exponential, gamma, and Pareto distributions, and then use them as examples when looking at 3.4, so that is covered at the end of TIA A.2. Chapter 8 works its way into most of the actual exam questions, and to a certain extent I cover it twice, partially in A.2 and then again in A.4. I think that the repetition is useful considering how important the ideas are. 9.11.1 and 9.11.2 are in A.4.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Lowbrassman4]

Will you be updating the 4/C blog on the TIA website?

[noahbody510]

Hi Dave,

Currently plugging along through A2. When will A3 and other sections be posted?

Thanks!

[noahbody510]

Also, will solutions be posted for the problem sets?

[noahbody510]

Nm, found the solutions.

[daaaave]

Hi Dave,

Currently plugging along through A2. When will A3 and other sections be posted?

Thanks!

I just posted A.3.1, and should have A.3.2 up later today. Typically I expect to get through about 8-10 lessons a week, and since I now am producing and uploading my own videos, the delay between when I record a lesson and when it gets uploaded is now much shorter.

Nm, found the solutions.

Since other people have asked about this, I thought that I would point out where the solutions are. If you click the "My Stuff" link in the top right corner of the webpage, it will give you a list of everything that you are registered for. There are four 4/C items that should show up on that list, one of which is the solutions.

I've also added an overview video in the "Before You Begin" section of the lessons that shows you how to find the solutions and answers some other common questions. We are in the process of improving the website design, and once that is done I will re-record this particular video to show how to use all of the new features of the site.