Most people think math is just numbers.
But after 20 years with it, I see it more like a mirror.
Here are 10 surprising lessons math taught me about life, work, and thinking clearly:
But after 20 years with it, I see it more like a mirror.
Here are 10 surprising lessons math taught me about life, work, and thinking clearly:
1. Breaking the rules is often the best course of action.
We have set theory because Bertrand Russell broke the notion that “sets are just collections of things.”
We have set theory because Bertrand Russell broke the notion that “sets are just collections of things.”
2. You have to understand the rules to successfully break them.
Miles Davis said, “Once is a mistake, twice is jazz.”
Mistakes are easy to make. Jazz is hard.
Miles Davis said, “Once is a mistake, twice is jazz.”
Mistakes are easy to make. Jazz is hard.
3. Understanding happens when you take things slow.
Most of my classes were in classic chalk + blackboard style.
So we took notes of...
• formulas
• theorems
• definitions
...from a blackboard, which was more beneficial than relying on a PowerPoint presentation.
Most of my classes were in classic chalk + blackboard style.
So we took notes of...
• formulas
• theorems
• definitions
...from a blackboard, which was more beneficial than relying on a PowerPoint presentation.
4. The best way to learn is to solve problems.
I just said that “understanding happens when you take things slow.”
Well, the easiest way to take things slow is by being forced to by pushing your skills and knowledge to the limit.
I just said that “understanding happens when you take things slow.”
Well, the easiest way to take things slow is by being forced to by pushing your skills and knowledge to the limit.
5. There are no shortcuts to mastery.
You can’t pay your way to knowledge.
You must put in the work for math and anything else that’s worth doing.
You can’t pay your way to knowledge.
You must put in the work for math and anything else that’s worth doing.
6. Always tackle one issue at a time.
Look at special cases, then add complexity step by step.
Look at special cases, then add complexity step by step.
7. Finding the right perspective is half the success.
• Matrices or graphs.
• Algebraic expressions or vectors.
• Driving your startup to the ground or a learning opportunity.
Success and failure are matters of perspective: you win, or you learn.
• Matrices or graphs.
• Algebraic expressions or vectors.
• Driving your startup to the ground or a learning opportunity.
Success and failure are matters of perspective: you win, or you learn.
8. Asking questions is a superpower.
“It’s not that there are no stupid questions,” the words of my professor echo in my ear, “it’s that not asking your questions is stupid.”
“It’s not that there are no stupid questions,” the words of my professor echo in my ear, “it’s that not asking your questions is stupid.”
9. Talent is just the icing on the cake.
The rest is hard work and perseverance.
I'm no genius, I am:
• curious,
• hard-working,
• and emotionally resilient,
Without these, no amount of brilliance can put you at the top or even in the middle of the pack.
The rest is hard work and perseverance.
I'm no genius, I am:
• curious,
• hard-working,
• and emotionally resilient,
Without these, no amount of brilliance can put you at the top or even in the middle of the pack.
10. Don’t give too much credit to advisors and professors.
They are people like you, and experience is the only thing they have over you.
They are people like you, and experience is the only thing they have over you.
If this post sparked some love for math & ML, you will love my new book.
When you buy it, you also get access to:
• GitHub repo with all the code
• FREE digital copy of the book (PDF)
• Discord community where you can talk to me directly
Get it now: amazon.com/Mathematics-Ma…
When you buy it, you also get access to:
• GitHub repo with all the code
• FREE digital copy of the book (PDF)
• Discord community where you can talk to me directly
Get it now: amazon.com/Mathematics-Ma…
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