Thank you Math Sorcerer! I was a math major and I do problems every morning. Right now I’m undergoing chemotherapy and my morning math is the only sane thing in my life.
Thanks for your good wishes. I’ve finished the chemo, then had the needed surgery, and the doc said I’m good for at least ten years! I’m feeling better and better each day. Thank you so much for helping by who’s wishes. ❤❤❤
As a 34 yo going into a calc one class for the first time i have spent the summer using the tomato 25-5 method going thru khan academy integrated mathematic course. I really love it now. What was hard in high school makes a lot of sense. Light note taking and lots of repetition is the key. Good mathing to all!
That's the thing about Math. Once you "get it" and learn the concept correctly, suddenly everything related to that concept comes naturally. I had a friend who never really learned long division back in 3rd Grade in a way that made sense to him, so he ALWAYS struggled with math and couldn't get past Pre-Algebra. Once I showed him the method for doing "short division" long after we graduated High School, it suddenly clicked and division made sense to him. Then he got "mad-sad" that no one ever explained it to him that way. I told him if he ever wanted to be able to do most simple math in his head, to memorize the classic times tables from 1 to 12. I doubt he's gotten around to it, but he is happy that he can divide most things accurately in his head, now. EDIT: Point being, he was perfectly capable of doing it, he just needed to understand it in a way that made sense to him.
Calculus 1 was the first math class that *really* made sense to me. There aren't that many ideas, and the results all flow from those few ideas. That's when I started building that mesh of logically sound math understanding piece by piece, and it all became natural. I think there's a healing process that has to happen to get over the awful way math is taught in elementary and secondary education. It is not a list of recipes to memorize and a list of familiar problems to solve on exams. It's a network of well justified ideas that can be applied creatively to make new ideas and solve new problems. Best of luck to you.
I just finished doing section 1.1 of Linear Algebra by Friedberg, Insel, and Spence. It took me a while (and had a lot of breaks in between) but I did it all in a day. I’ll be back for more tomorrow!
I read this comment as I took a break from studying the same book. I was studying the proof to the theorem that defines the Adjoint of a Linear Operator. Haha.
I started to do "at least" one math problem per day in 2019 after being inspired by the book called Atomic Habit by James Clear. This has changed my life. Previously, for more 20 years, I felt terrible that I had lost my math skills since I left college. I didn't know how to get my math skill back. With solving "at least one problem" a day, a curiosity is created and magnified but no more than seven problems. I really like do one problem a day because it doesn't take too much of my time. Some days when I am not in the mood, I do one problem. When I enjoy solving, I can do up to seven problems. It depends how busy my day with other things. Ever since 2019 doing at least one problem a day have made me wanting flip/read whole math book I have been working on because I was curious and i have "I am looking for a challenge" attitude/mood. Over the time I read the same book multiple times which have made me comfortable with it. I salute you, the math sorcerer.
my favorite way to learn math is whenever i would want to play video games, i just open a textbook, force myself to read 1 chapter, and then try to do the most interesting problem. by the end, i am so interested in the subject I'm learning that i continue on for 3-4 hours.
Sometimes I splurge and cram; other times, I might skip a day. But mostly I try to do a little every day, so I can keep myself from atrophying mathematically.
In software engineering job search market, you practice algorithm problems in similar fashion. Each problem may take 10 minutes or an hour to solve depends on the problem. I am grinding it every day and have last for about two months. It is hard to keep it up. I feel guilty when not solving enough problems on bad days. Thank you math sorcerer for your advice. It brings me guidance and inspiration on how should I prepare myself.
Thank you, Professor. I've been practicing programming for 80 days straight now. They have mostly been easy problems but it's been a lot of fun and I've learned a lot along the way.
Depends how long you want to take until you master it, if that is your goal. They say it takes 10,000 hours to truly master something. Seems like a reasonable number. So divide 10,000 hours into the timeframe you want to master it by and there’s your answer!
I bought one of the books that you recommended, "Everything to ace...Maths "(the blue one). I've been doing it every night before going to bed (for me, it is working great). Once I finish, I will buy the one about pre-algebra (my goal for the next 2 years is to do very well in Calculaus 2 or maybe 3). I will keep coming here to share my progress. I have a goal because this maths is important for me.
On an impulse I signed up for an online gr 9 math course with the intention to work through all my high school math to show my gr.12 Daughter that it can be done. Gr 12 for me was the end of my belief that I was smart enough to understand math or science for that matter. One bad teacher and my academic not to mention life trajectory completely changed. Now, as I’m pushing 60 I will crush this and slay these very very old dragons. Thank you SO much for consistent message of grind and overcome! I’ll let you know how it goes 😊
I know I have had a block about math, I had it through years, I have a library of math books to challenge and taunt me. I did this during COVID while I was in college. I said I didn't like math I was afraid of it, and afraid of failure. That is the challenge, a little bit of math a day keeps the fear factor down to where I can think about it without the fears. Thanks for your inspiration and collection of books. 10:06
4 hours of math a day now. Working through functions at moment. Chapter 8 Intro & Intermediate College Algebra For College Students By Blitzer. I can't do more than 4 hours. To be honest, I'm close to being burnt out on it now. I might take a break for a 1 or 2 days. Then when come back with something really simple like prealgebra before getting back to the tougher stuff stuff. Wondering which: bs in math online or bs in middle school education with specialization in math is a good choice. I
Great vid as always! I do math every single day early in the morning while having breakfast at my desk for an hour. Early morning is a perfect time when I feel refreshed, having my cup of coffee, bowl of cereal, my math notebook open, my math book (currently How to Prove it by Velleman ) and just do the grind.
This was a good talk. I started trying exactly the 'thirty minutes a day or more' thing, and it really had the effect you mentioned. I'll commit to doing at least one problem instead.
Wow, this video truly resonated with me! As someone working towards a degree in math and aiming to build a successful future in tech, I can totally relate to the idea of setting realistic goals in studying and the importance of consistency. The suggestion to tackle at least one problem every day is a refreshing take on discipline. It's not about overloading yourself but setting a reachable target that can snowball into something bigger. I also agree with the connection between mathematics and physical activity; recently started working out at the gym, I can already feel the synergy between mental and physical discipline. The blend of mathematical prowess and personal growth you've highlighted here is a fantastic reminder that it's often the simplest habits that make the most significant impact. Kudos to the MathSorcerer for sharing such profound insights, and thanks for reminding us all to avoid decision paralysis and just get started. Incremental progress truly does make a difference! 🧠💪 P.S. Those book recommendations at the end? Definitely going to look into them. Always seeking to learn and grow
Posting without having watched the video yet. Probably a bad idea,, but... I have a goal of 1 hour of math (minimum) per day. I set a Google calendar reminder and everything. But... I more or less know that there are some days it just isn't going to happen. Because I also try to cycle 40 miles a week, and some nights if I work all day at my day job and then go for a bike ride, I wind up not having time for math. But OTOH, on weekend days when I have no other commitments, I sometimes do 4+ hours. Like today, I went to the cafe at Barnes & Noble and did math for about 4 hours. And I may do some more before I go to bed. So I think my weekly average works out to at least 7 hours a week so in my mind, I rationalize that as being more or less equivalent to hitting the 1 hour a day mark. 🙂
I've been doing mathematics every single day for 2 months, I think. I'm focused on keep grinding algebra, trig, Calculus, and go further. I have always liked Math but not so long ago I discovered this passion. I'm studying civil engineering and my desire is get to be one of the best students and get to be an outstanding mathematician and engineer. Greetings from Peru=D
CS student here - Agree with everything. Physical activity. Thinking in terms of doing problems vs time alloted. I, along with my peers, have fallen into the time alloted slot and you're right. Waking up and dreading it does happen and makes it less productive.
Something to add about the "Magic Formula" is that, as you've explained in the video, every one has different cogs turning in their heads, I have ADHD and most productivity systems do not work for me. What's effective for me is to play around my motivation and adjust my environment to feel good about doing tasks (removing distractions in my work environment, taking a walk when overwhelmed, being physically active in general).
I'm blessed with being excited about learning math. I'm not taking courses, so I can go at my own speed. I'm trying to relearn everything I learned in school, while also soaking up new things. I was always short on algebra skills, and struggled with trig functions. So now with Internet resources at my disposal I can scout around and indulge my wims. Review chain, product, and quotient rules; learn Heron's rule; memorize squares and cubes of integers etc. I know: Pretty primitive. But it's fun and I can see my mind being able to focus better both on math and every day tasks. My dad spent his retirement years golfing, I do math.
Math Sorcerer I have a question for you. How many things can we "do at least one thing every day" for? How many areas of life can we progress simultaneously using the strategy you propose? I am someone who tends to expect greatness from myself in all areas of life which leads to the paralysis you mention. I know this takes things out of the scope of just getting better at math but I think it's important to know how to choose what you want to progress and what needs to be sacrificed.
12 to 18 credit hours and plus working full time swing shifts of over 40 hours a week as a teenager in college. Reversed Engineering at n×years later. Accomplished curiosity that's familiar.
I have a dream, my strongest most desired dream to date. I've had great achievement when applying myself but this dream is so big it scares me that even when applying myself I won't reach it, which exites me. Math has given me a long wanted sense of peace and I finally feel I have found my calling in life. Its a joy to do math.
31 yo Army vet here going through college. NEVER actually learned math and going for Aerospace eng 😅. So had to start in developmental math adding fractions, then intermediate algebra, college algebra, then trig, then pre calculus, finally two years later made it to calculus last semester and failed due to spending 8 hrs a day burning out. Now I’m retaking it and helping other students with the stuff I’m good at. Persistence!
I've been going with what feels "natural" and I find I oscillate throughout the week. I end up doing about 5-6 days a week and spend half an hour of each of those days just re-viewing concepts and rules on flashcards, then it will vary between 1-2 hours and 4 hours of doing questions or taking notes and transferring them to flashcards afterwards. The last day I end up doing something else, like performing music or going outside. I find that you don't retain too much if you force yourself in fixed, long sessions.
Yes, one problem a day is a great way of making, "Just make a Start", into something concrete. (And because it's easier to just follow lectures than problem-solve, the item to put on the agenda needs to be the problem. The new maths etc. will pretty much take care of itself, given that right start.)
To answer the video's title (question): As much as it takes. People should already know that there's no one definitive answer to questions such as those. We are different. It all comes down to daily routines and what's going on during it, how you're feeling, etc... For me it was 4 hours during class, then about 2 hours on average homework and sometimes 2~4 hours another class during the evening.
I’m new to your channel and the one question that’s on my mind is Why? I don’t need to be convinced of how fun math can be, but do you use even a percentage of what you learn? Im really curious what your motivation is to learn all of these topics. For CS at least, I feel like if I learn a cool concept I can write a short program to mess around and do something real. With math I struggle to get that same kind of feedback and opportunity to apply it to something cool. What do you think? Thank you for the insightful video!
The motivation? The thrill of doing things for the sake of it. Also once you learn all of the math, you can look at their application in other fields, including CS
I have had to teach my self basic mathematics due to me having a score of 4 on my math placement test at a community College. It took me years to finally face my fear with numbers, and after facing that fear, head on two and half weeks with so many hours spent at home self studying I managed to up my score by 13 points. I had to hold in my tears up when receiving my score because I thought I could never understand mathematics I barely could even multiply basic numbers but I proved to myself that I could learn and now im getting ready for precalculus. Guys it's never to late to learn
My goal is 200 Math problems a day. It can be basic algebra 1-2 or college algebra questions, or precalc/geometry/trig. or calc differentiation or integration problems. Combination of these problems keeps my brain sharp. Have I met the goal? Nope. but Im working on it by doing 1-2 problems a day.
Not related to maths directly but I strongly recommend doing the Wim Hof breathing first thing in the morning before anything else(other than using the washroom, basically before you drink water or eat). Also, one shouldn't have coffee or caffeine for the first 90 minutes after waking, because of how it affects your adrenals-after 90 minutes it's perfectly fine.
My books, paper & pens live on the breakfast table. I have math for dessert. A lot of junk mail is printed on one side. I use the backs of all disposable paper. I never have to buy paper for my project of teaching myself math.
"Sometimes you just need to start" That's how I "trick" myself into doing math when I really don't want to. I just copy the problem onto paper. Just copy it and go do something else. While I'm doing that something else, I can't help but start to solve it in my head. At least as much as I can. Until I literally can't hold back and have to sit down and do it, and once I do that first problem, I'm off. I can go for as long as I need to.
Solving problems is not as automatic as brushing teeth. It will never become a habit because it requires significant intensity which will never be done automatically. But I understand what you are saying, making it part of a routine is what was meant
its against regulation (building code) in the us and canada to have unpainted particle board or oriented strand board on the interior walls of a structure because the material gives off poisonous gases which are known to cause cancer. I am sad to notice two unpainted sheets behind the speaker in the video. In a standard structure osb is the exterior sheathing and gypsum drywall on the interior walls but osb could be used legally and safely on the interior if it was painted.
Major problem with people who like math is they get diverted because of things like puzzles and chess. Non mathematical activities whihc are similar to math like chess, puzzles can eat away our. We should understand how to spend our time properly.
To do it daily I had to link it to my practical life. So I became a ms math teacher. At 53 not sure about any wizard level math, but I am a changed fan!!
At this point, I'm studying measure theory and just about every problem takes multiple hours (probably ~ 2-5 on average), so a time goal actually works better for me because most days I'm not even able to get one whole proof done.
So I am trying to get an overview of math, so that I can make a curriculum for my self-study. I realize that math the way it was presented to us in school was probably not optimal. I am trying to get an overview and go about it systematically. I never got to calculus, but I had algebra and trig as well as statistics in college. I feel like I need to go back to doing fractions, proportions and ratios. Maybe I should learn some logic first? Otherwise, I am thinking. Do some remedial work. Review fractions, ratios and proportions, then go to geometry. From Geometry, go to Algebra and Trigonometry? Then go on to Calculus? I am thinking this is the way, but realize. I am only re-following the path of the public school system in the 70s and 80s. There are a lot of areas/fields/domains/aspects/subjects in math that I have never even heard of much less experienced. Where do I start? How do I do this systematically in a the best most logical sequence, so that things build on each other? I do not have the foggiest idea. I have looked at this: ua-cam.com/video/OmJ-4B-mS-Y/v-deo.html I have no idea wtf quaternions are or octonions, for example. Applied mathematics seems to be the most practical thing to learn. I want to be on the job and see some problem and be able to say, "Well those are just right triangles, and so those angles must there be congruent." and basta! I am able to solve the problem or some shit like that. That is how I imagine it. I suspect not knowing math all these years that, I have just been going all through life , like a fool, with the answers to seemingly unassailable problems (for me at least) being right in front of my nose all the time, but not being able to see them or recognize them. I imagine other people laughing at how dumb I am. So perhaps if for nothing else, but my infinite vanity, I would like to put a stop to all that, but where do I start? I cannot see the forest for the trees!
I recently just failed all my Entrance Exams and I am about to take them again next year it's all because I suck at Math and never listened to my professors in high school. I recently bought 3 books 1 for algebra, 1 for trigonometry, and a Reviewer with lots of problems for what could come out in the next Entrance Exams. But I am quite scared that I might actually fail again because I do not know how to utilize the book and I don't know how to study mathematics the right way. I may have been studying wrong this whole time by just answering the questions in the book and reviewing them all over again.
In the book "The man who loved only numbers" it mentioned that G.H Hardy only studied around 4 hours a day and Paul Erdos was, at least at one point of his career around 19 hours.
You are right, last time i wanted count houers spent with learning and it turn out bad idea , measure of time kill satisfaction of dping something , more it should be flow
Dear Math Sorcerer, do you think you would want to tackle a millenium problem? How are you standing to it? I mean doing math is great, but would you ever want to start with a big problem no one has solved before?
Wizard, what if I can't get through the problem I'm working on? I once watched one of your videos where you discussed spending too much time on a problem. I feel that working on a problem and making some progress counts also as a win, but at the same time I don't feel totally satisfied as I didn't arrive at a solution. What is your perspective on this situation? I would feel that trying another problem won't do it for me.
Guys please help me with this question: There are 2 inhabitants of the Island, knights who always tell the truth and knaves who always lie. You encounter two people A and B. Determine, if possible, what A and B are if they address you in the ways described. If you cannot determine what these 2 people are, can you draw any conclusion? - A says " At least one of us is a knave" and B says nothing
Supposed A is a knave. Then the statement is false, implying neither A nor B are knaves. Hence A is a knave implies A is not a knave. Hence A must be a knight.
Please dont response. Hi. I study at MIT online (youtube, tutor, knowledge (online education) vs understanding (tutor)). Costs about 80k for a year. I also have books now. I learn 30 min-4h per day.
there is no such thing as a certain number of hours to be spent or a certain number of mathematical problems to be solved each day. mathematics is not done with a pen and a paper. it is done in the mind. pen and paper are only to write down all the steps and the solution that is already present in the mind. one is always working on one or more problems simultaneously in one's mind at all times and in all places. the greatest insights into solutions come when one is either waking up or when one is going to sleep, the stage 2 or 3 of the sleep-wake cycle. it is during these times that the subconscious brings into consciousness what it had been working on during the awake phase.
I’m genuinely terrified of starting calculus self study, my basic pre calc trig and functions are pretty good, I’m starting calculus in school in about six months but I want to get a head start, but I’m worried il be waisting my time not studying more basic concepts that will help me in class now rather than in six months
Every time I am doing hard math homework and I get a question I was struggling on right, I scream "I am the Math sorcerer!" and I'm pretty sure it makes me smarter
I did 3 hours of algebra today from Intro & Intermediate Algebra for College Students by Blitzer. I split it into 3 segments that were 1 hour each. I also start each day with a video on math. I think its best to watch videos from the same series of math videos. I mean, find videos by teacher and watch the whole series. If there are 50 videos posted by the same teacher on a particular category of math like Calculus, then try to watch all 50 of the videos.
Hey, discipline is not something i lack, but however, i am kinda of screwed in life due to poor life choices, so i am studying math to cope with teh pain of life, i really want to study it up to 16hours daily, which shouldn´t be a problem, however is it optimal to do that? let me know what you think. Also would love to have tutor if your down to help me achive my goals of becomming a software developer
I’ve been looking for his book suggestion. He shown a book on how calculus shown up in real life. Does anyone know? 😅 I made the mistake of thinking I’ll remember the name.
I AM MY ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT AND I NEED TO UNDERSTAND CODES WRITTEN DOWN, FORMULA WRITTEN WITH MY NAME INSTEAD OF OF DATED BUT MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. I AM CHASING MY OWN PERSONAL ACCOUNT 💯
Thank you Math Sorcerer! I was a math major and I do problems every morning. Right now I’m undergoing chemotherapy and my morning math is the only sane thing in my life.
I'm sorry to hear that, I wish you the best
I beg Allah that you get well soon, keep pushing!
Thanks for your good wishes. I’ve finished the chemo, then had the needed surgery, and the doc said I’m good for at least ten years! I’m feeling better and better each day. Thank you so much for helping by who’s wishes. ❤❤❤
@@21ruevictorhugo Bless you! Wishing you a happy and fulfilling journey ahead filled with mathematical enlightenment
Hope you get better soon 🙏
Wizard, I’ve heard you mention how much math you can learn in two weeks. You should start a two week challenge.
This is such a cool idea. I'm happy I stumbled on your comment. I think I want to try this myself. Thank you so much.
Bro is jacked jacked
I’m in, and I need the competition! Let’s do it.
As a 34 yo going into a calc one class for the first time i have spent the summer using the tomato 25-5 method going thru khan academy integrated mathematic course. I really love it now. What was hard in high school makes a lot of sense. Light note taking and lots of repetition is the key. Good mathing to all!
That's the thing about Math. Once you "get it" and learn the concept correctly, suddenly everything related to that concept comes naturally.
I had a friend who never really learned long division back in 3rd Grade in a way that made sense to him, so he ALWAYS struggled with math and couldn't get past Pre-Algebra. Once I showed him the method for doing "short division" long after we graduated High School, it suddenly clicked and division made sense to him.
Then he got "mad-sad" that no one ever explained it to him that way.
I told him if he ever wanted to be able to do most simple math in his head, to memorize the classic times tables from 1 to 12.
I doubt he's gotten around to it, but he is happy that he can divide most things accurately in his head, now.
EDIT: Point being, he was perfectly capable of doing it, he just needed to understand it in a way that made sense to him.
Calculus 1 was the first math class that *really* made sense to me. There aren't that many ideas, and the results all flow from those few ideas. That's when I started building that mesh of logically sound math understanding piece by piece, and it all became natural. I think there's a healing process that has to happen to get over the awful way math is taught in elementary and secondary education. It is not a list of recipes to memorize and a list of familiar problems to solve on exams. It's a network of well justified ideas that can be applied creatively to make new ideas and solve new problems. Best of luck to you.
What is 25-5 method?
@@galaxygamer3591 Work for 25 minutes. Take a 5 minute break. Repeat.
@@cryptopatrick I'll try that today thanks bro
I just finished doing section 1.1 of Linear Algebra by Friedberg, Insel, and Spence. It took me a while (and had a lot of breaks in between) but I did it all in a day. I’ll be back for more tomorrow!
W
W mans
how's it going?
I read this comment as I took a break from studying the same book. I was studying the proof to the theorem that defines the Adjoint of a Linear Operator. Haha.
I started to do "at least" one math problem per day in 2019 after being inspired by the book called Atomic Habit by James Clear. This has changed my life. Previously, for more 20 years, I felt terrible that I had lost my math skills since I left college. I didn't know how to get my math skill back. With solving "at least one problem" a day, a curiosity is created and magnified but no more than seven problems. I really like do one problem a day because it doesn't take too much of my time. Some days when I am not in the mood, I do one problem. When I enjoy solving, I can do up to seven problems. It depends how busy my day with other things. Ever since 2019 doing at least one problem a day have made me wanting flip/read whole math book I have been working on because I was curious and i have "I am looking for a challenge" attitude/mood. Over the time I read the same book multiple times which have made me comfortable with it. I salute you, the math sorcerer.
❤❤ loved your wonderful comment ❤️
You are motivating me not just to engage in mathematics but also to look after both my body and mind.
Be strong, girl
my favorite way to learn math is whenever i would want to play video games, i just open a textbook, force myself to read 1 chapter, and then try to do the most interesting problem. by the end, i am so interested in the subject I'm learning that i continue on for 3-4 hours.
Sometimes I splurge and cram; other times, I might skip a day. But mostly I try to do a little every day, so I can keep myself from atrophying mathematically.
In software engineering job search market, you practice algorithm problems in similar fashion. Each problem may take 10 minutes or an hour to solve depends on the problem. I am grinding it every day and have last for about two months. It is hard to keep it up. I feel guilty when not solving enough problems on bad days. Thank you math sorcerer for your advice. It brings me guidance and inspiration on how should I prepare myself.
Thank you, Professor. I've been practicing programming for 80 days straight now. They have mostly been easy problems but it's been a lot of fun and I've learned a lot along the way.
Nice, do cs50x you’ll learn so much in relatively small time👍🏽
Depends how long you want to take until you master it, if that is your goal.
They say it takes 10,000 hours to truly master something. Seems like a reasonable number. So divide 10,000 hours into the timeframe you want to master it by and there’s your answer!
Just do it everyone!! Be easy on yourself, and keep on the battle wizards.
I bought one of the books that you recommended, "Everything to ace...Maths "(the blue one).
I've been doing it every night before going to bed (for me, it is working great). Once I finish, I will buy the one about pre-algebra (my goal for the next 2 years is to do very well in Calculaus 2 or maybe 3).
I will keep coming here to share my progress.
I have a goal because this maths is important for me.
How’s your plan working out?
On an impulse I signed up for an online gr 9 math course with the intention to work through all my high school math to show my gr.12 Daughter that it can be done. Gr 12 for me was the end of my belief that I was smart enough to understand math or science for that matter. One bad teacher and my academic not to mention life trajectory completely changed. Now, as I’m pushing 60 I will crush this and slay these very very old dragons. Thank you SO much for consistent message of grind and overcome! I’ll let you know how it goes 😊
I know I have had a block about math, I had it through years, I have a library of math books to challenge and taunt me. I did this during COVID while I was in college. I said I didn't like math I was afraid of it, and afraid of failure. That is the challenge, a little bit of math a day keeps the fear factor down to where I can think about it without the fears. Thanks for your inspiration and collection of books. 10:06
4 hours of math a day now. Working through functions at moment. Chapter 8 Intro & Intermediate College Algebra For College Students By Blitzer. I can't do more than 4 hours. To be honest, I'm close to being burnt out on it now. I might take a break for a 1 or 2 days. Then when come back with something really simple like prealgebra before getting back to the tougher stuff stuff. Wondering which: bs in math online or bs in middle school education with specialization in math is a good choice. I
Great vid as always! I do math every single day early in the morning while having breakfast at my desk for an hour. Early morning is a perfect time when I feel refreshed, having my cup of coffee, bowl of cereal, my math notebook open, my math book (currently How to Prove it by Velleman ) and just do the grind.
This was a good talk. I started trying exactly the 'thirty minutes a day or more' thing, and it really had the effect you mentioned. I'll commit to doing at least one problem instead.
Wow, this video truly resonated with me! As someone working towards a degree in math and aiming to build a successful future in tech, I can totally relate to the idea of setting realistic goals in studying and the importance of consistency. The suggestion to tackle at least one problem every day is a refreshing take on discipline. It's not about overloading yourself but setting a reachable target that can snowball into something bigger.
I also agree with the connection between mathematics and physical activity; recently started working out at the gym, I can already feel the synergy between mental and physical discipline. The blend of mathematical prowess and personal growth you've highlighted here is a fantastic reminder that it's often the simplest habits that make the most significant impact. Kudos to the MathSorcerer for sharing such profound insights, and thanks for reminding us all to avoid decision paralysis and just get started. Incremental progress truly does make a difference! 🧠💪
P.S. Those book recommendations at the end? Definitely going to look into them. Always seeking to learn and grow
Posting without having watched the video yet. Probably a bad idea,, but...
I have a goal of 1 hour of math (minimum) per day. I set a Google calendar reminder and everything.
But... I more or less know that there are some days it just isn't going to happen. Because I also try to cycle 40 miles a week, and some nights if I work all day at my day job and then go for a bike ride, I wind up not having time for math. But OTOH, on weekend days when I have no other commitments, I sometimes do 4+ hours. Like today, I went to the cafe at Barnes & Noble and did math for about 4 hours. And I may do some more before I go to bed.
So I think my weekly average works out to at least 7 hours a week so in my mind, I rationalize that as being more or less equivalent to hitting the 1 hour a day mark. 🙂
I've been doing mathematics every single day for 2 months, I think. I'm focused on keep grinding algebra, trig, Calculus, and go further. I have always liked Math but not so long ago I discovered this passion. I'm studying civil engineering and my desire is get to be one of the best students and get to be an outstanding mathematician and engineer. Greetings from Peru=D
CS student here - Agree with everything. Physical activity. Thinking in terms of doing problems vs time alloted. I, along with my peers, have fallen into the time alloted slot and you're right. Waking up and dreading it does happen and makes it less productive.
decision paralysis has affected me in my math journey. thanks for your good strategy, its gonna help me alot
Something to add about the "Magic Formula" is that, as you've explained in the video, every one has different cogs turning in their heads, I have ADHD and most productivity systems do not work for me. What's effective for me is to play around my motivation and adjust my environment to feel good about doing tasks (removing distractions in my work environment, taking a walk when overwhelmed, being physically active in general).
I'm blessed with being excited about learning math. I'm not taking courses, so I can go at my own speed. I'm trying to relearn everything I learned in school, while also soaking up new things.
I was always short on algebra skills, and struggled with trig functions. So now with Internet resources at my disposal I can scout around and indulge my wims. Review chain, product, and quotient rules; learn Heron's rule; memorize squares and cubes of integers etc. I know: Pretty primitive. But it's fun and I can see my mind being able to focus better both on math and every day tasks.
My dad spent his retirement years golfing, I do math.
Great advice, I needed to hear this.
Math Sorcerer I have a question for you. How many things can we "do at least one thing every day" for? How many areas of life can we progress simultaneously using the strategy you propose? I am someone who tends to expect greatness from myself in all areas of life which leads to the paralysis you mention. I know this takes things out of the scope of just getting better at math but I think it's important to know how to choose what you want to progress and what needs to be sacrificed.
Thank you, needed this!!! 🙏🏼
12 to 18 credit hours and plus working full time swing shifts of over 40 hours a week as a teenager in college. Reversed Engineering at n×years later. Accomplished curiosity that's familiar.
I have a dream, my strongest most desired dream to date. I've had great achievement when applying myself but this dream is so big it scares me that even when applying myself I won't reach it, which exites me. Math has given me a long wanted sense of peace and I finally feel I have found my calling in life. Its a joy to do math.
31 yo Army vet here going through college. NEVER actually learned math and going for Aerospace eng 😅. So had to start in developmental math adding fractions, then intermediate algebra, college algebra, then trig, then pre calculus, finally two years later made it to calculus last semester and failed due to spending 8 hrs a day burning out. Now I’m retaking it and helping other students with the stuff I’m good at. Persistence!
I treat doing math like leg day. It’s got to be done to make the big gains. I make sure I do between 1 to 2 hours after the gym.
I've been going with what feels "natural" and I find I oscillate throughout the week. I end up doing about 5-6 days a week and spend half an hour of each of those days just re-viewing concepts and rules on flashcards, then it will vary between 1-2 hours and 4 hours of doing questions or taking notes and transferring them to flashcards afterwards. The last day I end up doing something else, like performing music or going outside. I find that you don't retain too much if you force yourself in fixed, long sessions.
Yes, one problem a day is a great way of making, "Just make a Start", into something concrete. (And because it's easier to just follow lectures than problem-solve, the item to put on the agenda needs to be the problem. The new maths etc. will pretty much take care of itself, given that right start.)
To answer the video's title (question): As much as it takes. People should already know that there's no one definitive answer to questions such as those.
We are different. It all comes down to daily routines and what's going on during it, how you're feeling, etc...
For me it was 4 hours during class, then about 2 hours on average homework and sometimes 2~4 hours another class during the evening.
I’m new to your channel and the one question that’s on my mind is Why? I don’t need to be convinced of how fun math can be, but do you use even a percentage of what you learn? Im really curious what your motivation is to learn all of these topics.
For CS at least, I feel like if I learn a cool concept I can write a short program to mess around and do something real. With math I struggle to get that same kind of feedback and opportunity to apply it to something cool. What do you think?
Thank you for the insightful video!
The motivation? The thrill of doing things for the sake of it. Also once you learn all of the math, you can look at their application in other fields, including CS
I have had to teach my self basic mathematics due to me having a score of 4 on my math placement test at a community College. It took me years to finally face my fear with numbers, and after facing that fear, head on two and half weeks with so many hours spent at home self studying I managed to up my score by 13 points. I had to hold in my tears up when receiving my score because I thought I could never understand mathematics I barely could even multiply basic numbers but I proved to myself that I could learn and now im getting ready for precalculus. Guys it's never to late to learn
10000/(365*10)= 2.7 hours per day for 10 years...(The 10,000 hours rule from Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell)
My goal is 200 Math problems a day. It can be basic algebra 1-2 or college algebra questions, or precalc/geometry/trig. or calc differentiation or integration problems. Combination of these problems keeps my brain sharp. Have I met the goal? Nope. but Im working on it by doing 1-2 problems a day.
Building a routine is the best way for consistency
you are looking fine, sorcerer! Keep the good content up as always
stay sharp! thanks man
Not related to maths directly but I strongly recommend doing the Wim Hof breathing first thing in the morning before anything else(other than using the washroom, basically before you drink water or eat). Also, one shouldn't have coffee or caffeine for the first 90 minutes after waking, because of how it affects your adrenals-after 90 minutes it's perfectly fine.
My two favorite things: work out and do math !
My books, paper & pens live on the breakfast table. I have math for dessert. A lot of junk mail is printed on one side. I use the backs of all disposable paper. I never have to buy paper for my project of teaching myself math.
"Sometimes you just need to start"
That's how I "trick" myself into doing math when I really don't want to. I just copy the problem onto paper. Just copy it and go do something else. While I'm doing that something else, I can't help but start to solve it in my head. At least as much as I can. Until I literally can't hold back and have to sit down and do it, and once I do that first problem, I'm off. I can go for as long as I need to.
Solving a problem each day is a good habit. No doubt it makes a difference. It's like everyday sunshine.
Solving problems is not as automatic as brushing teeth. It will never become a habit because it requires significant intensity which will never be done automatically.
But I understand what you are saying, making it part of a routine is what was meant
its against regulation (building code) in the us and canada to have unpainted particle board or oriented strand board on the interior walls of a structure because the material gives off poisonous gases which are known to cause cancer. I am sad to notice two unpainted sheets behind the speaker in the video. In a standard structure osb is the exterior sheathing and gypsum drywall on the interior walls but osb could be used legally and safely on the interior if it was painted.
Major problem with people who like math is they get diverted because of things like puzzles and chess. Non mathematical activities whihc are similar to math like chess, puzzles can eat away our. We should understand how to spend our time properly.
To do it daily I had to link it to my practical life. So I became a ms math teacher. At 53 not sure about any wizard level math, but I am a changed fan!!
I like this idea of doing one problem everyday
At this point, I'm studying measure theory and just about every problem takes multiple hours (probably ~ 2-5 on average), so a time goal actually works better for me because most days I'm not even able to get one whole proof done.
I stopped doing maths for awhile now but I am getting back into it. I think 1 problem a day is the best way for me for now
So I am trying to get an overview of math, so that I can make a curriculum for my self-study. I realize that math the way it was presented to us in school was probably not optimal. I am trying to get an overview and go about it systematically. I never got to calculus, but I had algebra and trig as well as statistics in college. I feel like I need to go back to doing fractions, proportions and ratios. Maybe I should learn some logic first? Otherwise, I am thinking. Do some remedial work. Review fractions, ratios and proportions, then go to geometry. From Geometry, go to Algebra and Trigonometry? Then go on to Calculus? I am thinking this is the way, but realize. I am only re-following the path of the public school system in the 70s and 80s. There are a lot of areas/fields/domains/aspects/subjects in math that I have never even heard of much less experienced. Where do I start? How do I do this systematically in a the best most logical sequence, so that things build on each other? I do not have the foggiest idea.
I have looked at this: ua-cam.com/video/OmJ-4B-mS-Y/v-deo.html
I have no idea wtf quaternions are or octonions, for example.
Applied mathematics seems to be the most practical thing to learn. I want to be on the job and see some problem and be able to say, "Well those are just right triangles, and so those angles must there be congruent." and basta! I am able to solve the problem or some shit like that. That is how I imagine it.
I suspect not knowing math all these years that, I have just been going all through life , like a fool, with the answers to seemingly unassailable problems (for me at least) being right in front of my nose all the time, but not being able to see them or recognize them. I imagine other people laughing at how dumb I am. So perhaps if for nothing else, but my infinite vanity, I would like to put a stop to all that, but where do I start? I cannot see the forest for the trees!
I know this should be for Mathematics questions prof, but Damn you went from nerd to beast 💪
I recently just failed all my Entrance Exams and I am about to take them again next year it's all because I suck at Math and never listened to my professors in high school. I recently bought 3 books 1 for algebra, 1 for trigonometry, and a Reviewer with lots of problems for what could come out in the next Entrance Exams. But I am quite scared that I might actually fail again because I do not know how to utilize the book and I don't know how to study mathematics the right way. I may have been studying wrong this whole time by just answering the questions in the book and reviewing them all over again.
"atleast one calculus ptoblem a day at 5:00am"
-- myself
(not just a quote, I am doing this for a year now)
In the book "The man who loved only numbers" it mentioned that G.H Hardy only studied around 4 hours a day and Paul Erdos was, at least at one point of his career around 19 hours.
Looking good math wiz 💪💪💪
You are right, last time i wanted count houers spent with learning and it turn out bad idea , measure of time kill satisfaction of dping something , more it should be flow
I loved this video. Thank you for your pragmatism
perfect explanation, thanks...
Thanks, very useful 😊
Dear Math Sorcerer, do you think you would want to tackle a millenium problem? How are you standing to it? I mean doing math is great, but would you ever want to start with a big problem no one has solved before?
Wizard, what if I can't get through the problem I'm working on? I once watched one of your videos where you discussed spending too much time on a problem. I feel that working on a problem and making some progress counts also as a win, but at the same time I don't feel totally satisfied as I didn't arrive at a solution. What is your perspective on this situation? I would feel that trying another problem won't do it for me.
catalog all your approaches to solving the problem. I've learned so much going back and seeing the dead ends or how close I was in one or more paths
@@girlsinacomaexactly. We need a general logical mind map of the problem we are trying to solve.
Guys please help me with this question:
There are 2 inhabitants of the Island, knights who always tell the truth and knaves who always lie. You encounter two people A and B. Determine, if possible, what A and B are if they address you in the ways described. If you cannot determine what these 2 people are, can you draw any conclusion?
- A says " At least one of us is a knave" and B says nothing
Supposed A is a knave. Then the statement is false, implying neither A nor B are knaves. Hence A is a knave implies A is not a knave. Hence A must be a knight.
Quantity vs. Quality? I do problems daily (albeit algebra exclusively), it's a rollercoaster of emotion for sure 😅
Please dont response. Hi. I study at MIT online (youtube, tutor, knowledge (online education) vs understanding (tutor)). Costs about 80k for a year. I also have books now. I learn 30 min-4h per day.
How many math questions per chapter should a person answer when doing a self-study of mathematics?
Just do one: the Jordan curve theorem.
there is no such thing as a certain number of hours to be spent or a certain number of mathematical problems to be solved each day. mathematics is not done with a pen and a paper. it is done in the mind. pen and paper are only to write down all the steps and the solution that is already present in the mind. one is always working on one or more problems simultaneously in one's mind at all times and in all places. the greatest insights into solutions come when one is either waking up or when one is going to sleep, the stage 2 or 3 of the sleep-wake cycle. it is during these times that the subconscious brings into consciousness what it had been working on during the awake phase.
I do 2x 25 min pomodoro sessions every day. By the way, my fields medal: statistical learing is a new axiomatic system, 200 years of math.
I spend 1-2 hours a day but sometimes i just can't get my self to do math and sometimes i can't go without doing math
I’m genuinely terrified of starting calculus self study, my basic pre calc trig and functions are pretty good, I’m starting calculus in school in about six months but I want to get a head start, but I’m worried il be waisting my time not studying more basic concepts that will help me in class now rather than in six months
Every time I am doing hard math homework and I get a question I was struggling on right, I scream "I am the Math sorcerer!" and I'm pretty sure it makes me smarter
Omg Vector Analysis!!!!!
Gigachad right there. ❤
I did 3 hours of algebra today from Intro & Intermediate Algebra for College Students by Blitzer. I split it into 3 segments that were 1 hour each. I also start each day with a video on math. I think its best to watch videos from the same series of math videos. I mean, find videos by teacher and watch the whole series. If there are 50 videos posted by the same teacher on a particular category of math like Calculus, then try to watch all 50 of the videos.
is math sorcerer a gymbro now? hell yeah 😂
Hey, discipline is not something i lack, but however, i am kinda of screwed in life due to poor life choices, so i am studying math to cope with teh pain of life, i really want to study it up to 16hours daily, which shouldn´t be a problem, however is it optimal to do that? let me know what you think. Also would love to have tutor if your down to help me achive my goals of becomming a software developer
Majority of undergraduate math is algebra and that's the biggest issue
I've got to get back in MATH shape
I’ve been looking for his book suggestion. He shown a book on how calculus shown up in real life. Does anyone know? 😅 I made the mistake of thinking I’ll remember the name.
I do about a couple of hours a day. Anymore and m y mind begins to wander off track.
Math Sorcerer. How tall are you?? I'm curious 😅
He is 6ft3 190
You're looking BIG sir! 😅
#support from India
Hey Math Sorcerer, how much money does it cost for a video request ?
Did anyone else see him pick up the physics book and break physics on the green book 0.o
A nickel for every link.
Our wizard here is starting to look like Isaac Netero
More like a maths kung fu master. Work everyday cause somedays productivity will be low.
Probably an hour or two
This guy should meet David Goggins
u do shrooms recently?
🔥
I can't go more than 3 hours a day for math after that I go to a different subject.
Basically Minimum 1hour
I didn’t think UA-cam allowed the showing of guns on their platform.
ROFL
I AM MY ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT AND I NEED TO UNDERSTAND CODES WRITTEN DOWN, FORMULA WRITTEN WITH MY NAME INSTEAD OF OF DATED BUT MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. I AM CHASING MY OWN PERSONAL ACCOUNT 💯