You’re not bad at math: What I learned after 7500 hours of studying math

Han Zhango
17 Feb 202408:29

TLDRThe speaker, once disliking math, shares insights after 7500 hours of study. They debunk the myth of IQ as a determinant of math success, emphasizing hard work and obsession with understanding math problems. They encourage students to delve deep into every question, seek help when confused, and not be afraid to ask questions. The speaker also discusses personal motivations for studying math, including the desire to appear smart, career opportunities, and the value of logical thinking.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The speaker once hated math but has since come to appreciate it after extensive study.
  • 🎓 Attending Columbia University with a major in math and operations research has shaped the speaker's perspective on math.
  • 🕒 After 7,500 hours of studying math, the speaker has learned valuable lessons about the subject.
  • 📚 The speaker believes that struggling students can quickly improve their math performance with dedication.
  • 💡 The notion of IQ and innate intelligence is considered a myth; most people have similar cognitive abilities.
  • 🧐 Success in math often comes from an obsessive focus on understanding and solving problems.
  • 🤔 It's important to not just accept not knowing or understanding a question, but to dig deep until it's mastered.
  • 🔍 When confused, identify the exact point of misunderstanding and seek to fill in the knowledge gaps.
  • 📈 Math is built on foundational concepts, and confusion often arises from forgetting these basics.
  • 🗣️ Asking questions is encouraged, and it's beneficial to be specific about where one's understanding falters.
  • 💪 Math can be challenging, but persistence and patience are key to overcoming difficulties.
  • 🤝 Personal motivations for studying math include wanting to appear smart, pursuing opportunities and higher salaries, and valuing math as a foundation of logic.

Q & A

  • What was the speaker's initial attitude towards math?

    -The speaker initially hated math when they were a kid.

  • How many hours of studying math did the speaker invest before sharing their insights?

    -The speaker invested 7,500 hours of studying math.

  • What does the speaker believe about the correlation between IQ and math performance at the high school or college level?

    -The speaker believes that IQ and being smart are just a scam, and that the small differences in IQs do not determine performance at the high school or college level.

  • According to the speaker, what is a common trait among people who are good at math?

    -People who are good at math are extremely obsessive about math questions and feel uncomfortable if they don't understand or can't figure something out.

  • What should one do when faced with a math question they don't understand?

    -One should try to understand how each step of the question works and ensure they can answer it independently, even with different numbers.

  • Why does the speaker say that feeling lost in math class is common?

    -Feeling lost is common because the math being taught is built on foundations that may have been forgotten or not learned properly.

  • What is the speaker's advice when one is confused about a math problem?

    -The speaker advises targeting the exact step that is confusing, identifying what is missing or unclear, and seeking help either by Googling or asking someone.

  • What is the role of BetterHelp in the speaker's life as mentioned in the script?

    -BetterHelp has been the speaker's sponsor, providing online therapy that has been helpful in giving them tools to live their life better, including overcoming procrastination and understanding resistance to tasks.

  • Why should one not be afraid to ask questions about math?

    -One should not be afraid to ask questions because most people would love to help, and the process of framing a question can also be helpful for understanding the logic better.

  • What are some personal motivations the speaker has for studying math in college?

    -The speaker's motivations include wanting to look smart, having more opportunities and higher salary prospects, and recognizing math as the foundation of logic, a lifelong skill.

  • How does the speaker feel about the difficulty of math and their approach to overcoming it?

    -The speaker acknowledges that math is hard and advises not to beat oneself up when struggling. They share a personal experience of overcoming a difficult problem by being patient, learning each step, and figuring out where they went wrong.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Overcoming Math Challenges and Embracing Persistence

The speaker reflects on their journey from hating math to majoring in it at Columbia University, emphasizing that with dedication and persistence, anyone can excel. They debunk the myth of IQ as a determinant of success, highlighting that most people have similar intellectual capabilities and that hard work and obsession with understanding math are the keys to mastery. The speaker encourages viewers to tackle every math question they encounter, ensuring they understand each step thoroughly. They also address common frustrations with math, such as feeling lost or confused, and suggest targeting specific steps or concepts that are unclear, using resources like Google or asking for help to overcome these challenges. The speaker also mentions the benefits of online therapy through BetterHelp, which they have found helpful in dealing with procrastination and improving their life.

05:02

🤓 The Importance of Asking Questions and Personal Motivations for Studying Math

In this paragraph, the speaker encourages viewers to ask questions without fear of appearing unintelligent, emphasizing that specificity in questions leads to better understanding and assistance. They share their personal reasons for studying math in college, which include wanting to be perceived as smart, recognizing the opportunities and higher salary potential associated with math-related fields, and valuing math as the foundation of logic—a lifelong skill. The speaker also discusses the importance of patience and not being defeated by difficult questions, sharing a personal anecdote about struggling with a concept before an exam. They conclude by expressing gratitude for the viewers and inviting them to like, subscribe, and look forward to future content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Math

Mathematics, often referred to simply as 'math,' is the abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts or as representations of tangible objects. In the video, math is portrayed as a subject that the speaker initially disliked but later embraced, spending 7,500 hours studying it. The speaker's journey with math serves as a testament to the personal growth and intellectual development that can be achieved through dedication and persistence.

💡Operations Research

Operations Research is a discipline that deals with the application of advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions. It is mentioned in the script as the speaker's major at Columbia University, indicating a focus on the practical application of mathematical methods to solve complex problems. This keyword underscores the real-world relevance and utility of math in various professional fields.

💡IQ

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a measure of a person's cognitive abilities relative to their age group. The speaker in the video challenges the notion that high IQ is a prerequisite for mathematical success, suggesting that most people have similar IQs and that hard work and obsession with understanding math concepts are more critical determinants of performance.

💡Theorem

A theorem is a statement that has been proven on the basis of previously established statements, such as other theorems. In the context of the video, the speaker expresses frustration with not being able to understand a theorem, highlighting the challenges that even dedicated students can face when learning advanced mathematical concepts.

💡Columbia University

Columbia University is an Ivy League institution located in New York City, known for its rigorous academic programs. The speaker mentions attending Columbia and majoring in math and operations research, which adds credibility to their perspective on the subject and provides a backdrop for their insights into learning math.

💡Obsessive

To be obsessive about something means to be excessively concerned or preoccupied with it. The speaker describes people who are good at math as being obsessive about understanding and solving math problems, indicating that a deep, almost compulsive interest in the subject can be a key factor in mastering it.

💡PhD

A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. The speaker mentions a friend who is doing a PhD in math, illustrating the level of commitment and expertise required to pursue advanced studies in the field.

💡Order of Operations

The order of operations is a rule in mathematics that determines the sequence in which operations are to be performed in an expression. The script uses a simple arithmetic example to explain the importance of understanding the order of operations for making sense of mathematical problems and arriving at the correct solution.

💡BetterHelp

BetterHelp is an online platform that provides access to licensed therapists for individuals seeking mental health support. The speaker endorses BetterHelp in the video, sharing their personal experience with online therapy and how it has helped them with issues like procrastination, emphasizing the importance of mental health in academic and personal success.

💡Procrastination

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions. The speaker discusses their struggle with procrastination on a project and how therapy helped them understand the underlying reasons for their resistance, leading to a resolution and renewed motivation to work on the project.

💡Logical

Logical refers to the quality of being reasonable and based on sound reasoning. The speaker highlights math as the foundation of logic, indicating that studying math has not only improved their problem-solving skills but also shaped their personality to be more logical in their approach to life.

Highlights

The speaker overcame a childhood dislike of math through extensive study.

Personal experience supports the claim that struggling students can quickly improve their math performance.

The belief that IQ is a determinant of math performance is challenged as a misconception.

Most people have similar IQs, and the difference is not significant enough to affect academic performance.

Highly intelligent individuals are rare and not typically found in regular classrooms.

Success in math often comes from being obsessive about understanding and solving problems.

The speaker's friend, a PhD student in math, is so engrossed in math that she can't focus on anything else.

The importance of understanding every step of a math problem and being able to answer questions independently.

The feeling of confusion in math class can often be attributed to gaps in foundational knowledge.

When confused, identify the exact step that is unclear and seek to understand the missing concepts.

The speaker thanks the sponsor, BetterHelp, for providing online therapy that has been beneficial.

BetterHelp offers a questionnaire to match users with a licensed therapist based on their needs.

The speaker encourages asking questions without fear of appearing unintelligent and to be specific for clarity.

The process of framing a question can be as helpful as receiving an answer in understanding the logic.

The speaker shares personal motivations for studying math, including wanting to appear smart and for better opportunities.

Math is seen as a competitive advantage and a transferable skill for many high-income careers.

Mathematical study is foundational to logic, a lifelong skill that has significantly impacted the speaker's life.

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