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How I feel when I open my math textbook. (loler.me)

submitted ago by TheGirl93

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[–]suugakusha 94 points95 points ago

Hint: try thinking about what you are reading rather than just reading it.

edit: Wow, I expected this comment to be downvoted to oblivion; I'm glad it sparked such lively conversation

[–]Yogurt_Huevos 42 points43 points ago

As a and physics and mathematics student, listen to this guy. Don't just read the examples, do the examples. Understand what the author(s) is/are trying to convey in that passage, and ask yourself, "did I understand what this is trying to teach me?" If the answer is no, read it again or seek another source on the material (internet, text, or instructor). If yes, move on to the next subject. Rinse and repeat. It sounds tedious, but sometimes mastery of the material requires rigorous study.

[–]AmaroqOkami 10 points11 points ago

Rigorous study

This is probably why I mess up my math courses as often as I do. I lose interest insanely quickly when it comes to math, and then what I am reading just becomes a bunch of weird squigglies instead of actual letters and formed words.

It's pretty easy if I actually understand it, though. Always nice when that happens.

[–]sexyengie 7 points8 points ago

another mathy guy here, but I also love literature/language. My take:

"understanding" in science and math is different than in arts. Often, in arts, you are looking for the human meaning. What did this person want to communicate about people, about nature, about people relative to the universe, whatever. Science and math more or less just IS. It patterns in the world around us and in logical systems that people have simply noticed, and tried to understand (at least at the beginning) for their own sake. And most math text books aren't going to tell you the human story of the development of the math concepts. Which they in theory could, as someone doesn't need every detail about the development of the concept unless they are in that field. I often get the impression that if they presented the concept in terms of "some guy was sitting in his basement playing with these equations, and he noticed this... a hundred years later 3 other people proved the interesting relationship which almost seems to describe this or that in the real world" No, they present it as "here you go, proof, now answer 20 questions. And that's painfully boring for some people and arguably they have nothing to contextualize it with in their world so they just loose interest very fast.

[–]philpill 1 point2 points ago

Ah, definitely - context is everything. If you remember back to those guys who do the memory tricks, like recalling the precise order of a deck of cards, they do it by building a story involving each card in order.

Otherwise, we have to resort to rote learning, which is draining and crazy-boring.

[–]AmaroqOkami 1 point2 points ago

You know what's weird? I'm a programmer, have been for around 3 years.

I fucking hate math classes, though. Most of everything I've learned so far has never applied in anything I've ever done. The most advanced thing I've used was some trigonometric functions for mimicking orbits in 3D vector space.

But Complex Numbers, Factoring equations.. None of it has ever been used for me, or had any application.

I guess I find it hard to care about things that don't apply to me or anything I do.

[–]3206 2 points3 points ago

3D vector space

Lol. I used my knowledge of group theory to come up with numerous ways to make symmetric maps on the surface of a discrete torus for the last Google ai contest. (Not claiming my symmetries were original, they most certainly weren't, but I was able to find them myself using group theory).

[–]Kilkun 1 point2 points ago

Personally, I'm the same way with anything graphic.

I was born for algebraic representations.

[–]Yogurt_Huevos 3 points4 points ago

I won't sit here and say I have this ability to focus for hours on these numbers and symbols, but I have knack for 'getting it' quicker than most. I understand where you are coming from, and it is comes down to will power and self discipline at times.

[–]AmaroqOkami 1 point2 points ago

Ah. I should probably get some of that. It's extremely difficult for me to be doing something I love doing (reading, writing stories, video games), and go do something I completely cannot stand doing.

[–]Grappindemen 1 point2 points ago

When I saw

Rigorous study

I was firmly convinced penis jokes would follow.

[–]GullibleBee 1 point2 points ago

I reckon you aren't being well explained to. I don't know what level of math you are, high school or university, but I find math to be quite simple today, while about 3 years ago I believed that math was the most horrid thing on this planet. I met an amazing teacher, he showed me math in its true form, and since then I get excited every time I get home from work/the university because I'm gonna get to sit down and concentrate on mathematics and only mathematics.

I'm positive that you have the potential to understand and love it, it just takes someone to give you a push and really help you understand, once you got the initial "schematic" laid in front of you, you will not be able to not understand it ever again.

[–]identicalParticle 4 points5 points ago

seek another source on the material (internet, text, or instructor)

Seriously, go talk to your instructor during office hours!

Your TA is currently getting paid to sit in an empty room browsing Reddit. He is very bored and wants to talk to you about math.

[–]DollarsThanSense 0 points1 point ago

But there's so many pages and so many words and symbols on each page :( I feel like it would take me a week to even understand one page, and I'd need to write half a page of notes for each page. I'd be swamped under notes and pages :'(

[–]Yogurt_Huevos 3 points4 points ago

Trust me, been there done that. I don't know how you have been reading the text, but generally speaking a text book can be self contained. Any new symbols and definitions should be explained somewhere, assuming it's a decent textbook. My best advice is start over, and use resources like khanacademy to help out with concepts that are giving you trouble.

[–]DollarsThanSense 2 points3 points ago

I would have failed math and chemistry without khan academy. He explains in one 10 minute video what takes a weeks of lectures in class, even with his constant mistakes (with backtracking) and ums and uhs.

[–]AintGettinDatKarma 3 points4 points ago

In some textbooks, the explanations are unnecessarily long and convoluted because the publishers require them to be nice and thick because they think that it makes their prices look less ridiculous, but don't let that stop you. If you think your textbooks explanation is difficult to understand, google the concept. Having it explained in more than one way is a great way to help you understand something.

Also, I find that it helps to pretend that you're a teacher who's going to have to explain whatever they're reading about to their students the next day.

It really helps you pay attention to what you're reading when you also have to think about how you're going to have to explain it.

[–]breakfast889 2 points3 points ago

About the pretending you're a teacher thing, often times if I find myself dumbfounded with a concept, I'll go and try to explain it to my 8 year old niece. Works wonders. Makes me think about what the authors are trying to get across.

[–]DollarsThanSense 1 point2 points ago

Anyone who can teach high level math is a far greater person than I.

[–]LegendOfTheSemenSeas 1 point2 points ago

What don't you understand? What's the topic ? maybe we can help somehow.

[–]DollarsThanSense 1 point2 points ago

I think that it's mostly all of it. Whenever I try to learn I end up under a huge pile of notes that I feel I need to be able to know where I'm at. I can do the bare minimum of what I need for bio, which is algebra, and any equations I'm given beyond that I will just learn as I need them and keep a notebook full of them. But when it comes to learning math, and actually learning it and not just learning how to use equations I need, I'm very lost. I have some texts but they are all very daunting. At least my chemistry texts try to weave some kind of narrative into each chapter, like explaining how chemistry is used to detect drug cheats. Even the physics texts I have use lots of visual examples.

I think I'm beyond helping.

[–]suugakusha 1 point2 points ago

No one is beyond help! Traditional help might not work but if you really want to learn (and are willing to put in more a bit more work than you are used to) there are very concrete ways in which I, and plenty of other Redditors who teach math, can help.

Let me know.

[–]LegendOfTheSemenSeas 1 point2 points ago

Math is a set of strict rules, so it's mostly memorization, and use of these memorized rules to achieve something more. It's like playing chess. I've seen modern techniques to teach math "with examples" (e.g. teaching multiplication as a series of additions, instead of learning the multiplication table by heart), but you end up with a huge waste of time, and subpar results.

Math is a discipline that requires imagination and formalism. You may not be beyond help, but you may have missed important steps or connections, and you may never become a champion. Just put effort instead of passion. Effort, and the fact that you understand that the rules exist and they are complicated, are already a huge step forward. You can become an extremely skilled person in other fields without necessarily being a genius at math.

[–]milescowperthwaite 10 points11 points ago

I would love -just love- to take a class or read a textbook by a guy who actually had a difficult time learning math/algebra, etc. They all seem to have a "handicap-of-knowledge" if you know what I mean.

After 8 or 9 classes in the past 25+ years, I can't make heads or tails of that shit and I've never understood why regular shmnoes would need to prove a proficiency at it. What a waste of time--why weren't we taught about balancing a checkbook or how to negotiate a better car loan instead?

[–]identicalParticle 3 points4 points ago

You raise an interesting point. It's very difficult to put yourselves in the shoes of someone who hasn't learned the material yet. It's a tough problem to solve in education. You should probably write a math textbook now.

Some simple advice (not necessarily for milescowperthwaite). If you don't understand the book, and you don't understand the lectures, go talk to the TAs or professor in person. Everybody has different methods of learning best, and if you're with somebody one on one you can focus on what works for you.

I've TAed for a class where people come and spend 4 hours a week with me, asking a million questions, working through examples together. They eventually learn it, and everybody's happy.

I'm currently TAing a class where I spend 4 hours a week in an empty room waiting for somebody to come talk to me, and then grading a bunch of failing exams. Everybody is sad. Especially me.

Come talk to me!! Seriously!!! I'll even give you cookies and potato chips!

[–]stockbroker 0 points1 point ago

There's no reason for regular "shmnoes" to understand it, but I've come to the realization that the more math you know, the more you will make (on average) and the less time you will go unemployed (on average.)

[–]lawtard 1 point2 points ago

that isn't true necessarily true. your math skills have to translate into an applicable skill set like programming or engineering. You also have to be a good communicator. That is the biggest problem I see with many software engineers. They don't know how to tell management - the non-technical people - why what there doing matters. I have come to the conclusion that is a big problem with many smallish IT departments (and why they are often underfunded).

[–]robustability 0 points1 point ago

I wish I could sit down with you and help you make sense of it. They make you learn math because no other field requires that you apply basic principles to a problem you have never seen before on a regular basis. You can get through most things by memorizing and experience but only math requires insight and understanding. You decide whether that's necessary anywhere else in life. I think it's key in business and in learning the lessons of history. Anywhere where you have to apply old information to new situations.

[–]milescowperthwaite 0 points1 point ago

Wow, are you in a 'bubble' of some kind, Rob. From policework to auto repair--'basic principles' are applied to 'problems ...never seen before...' every day. Judges apply (sometimes) new laws to fresh crimes and new criminals every time they bang a gavel (call it a new "X" to a new "Y" to a new "Factor" if that helps).

If you've found that Rationalizing an Equation is the key to learning the lessons of history, well, I'm all ears... Please, I'd love to hear how "Factoring a Quadratic Equation" enhances our understanding of the Writing of the American Constitution in a ground-breaking way.

Buddy, you're conversing with someone who feels that algebra and higher is no more important to your average person than memorizing baseball statistics or mastering sodoku could be. If some one has a talent for it, great, go for it, rock the world with that stuff. But your average shmoe--once they've proven that they can't make heads or tails of maths beyond percentages, etc--shouldn't waste everyone's time on it. Just teach those non-mathers how to negotiate a car/house loan, how credit and interest works, how to invest. The "smarter" mathers will have already figured that out for themselves, right? I mean, it's not as if anyone with a Phd in Mathematics ever went bankrupt.

[–]robustability 0 points1 point ago

Read what I said more carefully dude. I said math is the only field where you can practice that kind of insight on a regular basis. I didn't say it was the only way to get it.

And for your information, judges DO use those skills. That's why there is a math section on the LSAT.

[–]milescowperthwaite 0 points1 point ago

I don't think that you read what I wrote, dude. On a regular and daily basis, Paramedics use those skills taught in class on myriad patients in fresh situations, journalists use the same twenty-six letters and the basic rules of English to enthrall us with new stories, seamstresses, airline attendants, bakers, welders, taxi drivers--Christ, buddy...I'd bet that less than 1% of us Americans actually synthesize higher math every day. Nurses, painters, pharmacists, chemists may ~approach~ using it, but I bet most just go to a computer/booklet/text anyway. Every one of these people has to buy something on credit at some point of their lives, they've all got to negotiate a financial transaction sometime. Why not stress that in High school?

I've been to court literally Hundreds of times and never have I seen anyone use a binomial theorem or attempt to take the derivative of a trig function to prove their point. Take that LSAT crap up with the people that wrote it. There's a lot of stuff on the NR-EMTB test and on every ASE test that never sees the street, too, what of it?

[–]Masklin 4 points5 points ago

If math was taught properly, you WOULD know by know how to negotiate a better car loan.

But instead they teach you how to play around with numbers.

[–]hobowithabazooka 2 points3 points ago

In some cases, that is properly. I need all that crazy stuff from differential equations and 3-D calculus. Of course, I'm studying to be an aerospace engineer, which is a little beyond the average joe

[–]Masklin 0 points1 point ago

You misunderstood me. The point I was trying to make was that (at least in Sweden), you don't learn proper mathematical thinking - you learn to add, subtract, divide, use pq-formula, etc.

Pretty much ALL real applications of math requires grasp of the concepts, not how to solve exam problems.

[–]learningphotoshop 1 point2 points ago

No, they teach you the proper fundamentals so that when faced with a mundane problem such as balancing your check book you can solve the problem on your own.

[–]Masklin 1 point2 points ago

In Sweden, you don't learn proper mathematical thinking - you learn to add, subtract, divide, use pq-formula, etc. I personally wouldn't call that 'proper fundamentals'.

Pretty much ALL real applications of math requires grasp of the concepts, not how to solve exam problems.

[–]badwolf42 2 points3 points ago

Try Khan Academy.

[–]narcoleptic_insomnia 3 points4 points ago

As a mathematician, this is also what I think my students are thinking while I lecture...

[–]fack9gag 2 points3 points ago

If you're going to repost, at least change the title.

[–]ithinkitsin 5 points6 points ago

How to do math 1. Read problem 2. Cry

[–]boxfire 8 points9 points ago

What the flying fuck? This post as of right now is at +617, and there is only a single comment with 4 upvotes and 1 downvote. What is going on here?

[–]Vin_The_Rock_Diesel 16 points17 points ago

The same phenomenon that lets a post reach the front page when there are 80 comments and 79 are "this is shit" upvoted 20 times.

[–]lawtard 1 point2 points ago

because people see "math" and they get really sleepy

[–]LegendOfTheSemenSeas 3 points4 points ago

Math is the language you use to describe the universe. It's always useful to be proficient in such powerful language.

[–]double 4 points5 points ago

Knowing a bit of math lets you do shit like this http://vimeo.com/10852187 which is what I do (not my reel)

[–]The0 2 points3 points ago

What is it about this picture that makes me laugh every time?

[–]ronin84 2 points3 points ago

Haha... This is the first time I've seen it and I just laughed way, way too hard.

Cats.

[–]obadetona 2 points3 points ago

How I feel when I open my chemistry textbook

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]bruuuu 5 points6 points ago

This is how I feel when I go to r/science...

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]3206 1 point2 points ago

Sounds like you love programming/software engineering, not computer science.

[–]SmokethMinePole 3 points4 points ago

Aww. My textbook never turns me into a cat When I open it.

[–]kindaconfused 0 points1 point ago

Does that mean you're the couch...?

[–]Incalite 1 point2 points ago

Try reading Euclid's Elements slowly, working to understand each proposition fully and asking questions along the way. "Does the point of intersection between two lines have an angle?" "What the fuck is area, anyways?" Questions like that arise regularly, and you're always in for a mindfuck.

[–]SomeFarmAnimals 2 points3 points ago

I think the professors who write those books get off on making it look as complex as possible. Once you have it explained by a professor, it's usually pretty straight forward and easy.

[–]sittingbox 1 point2 points ago

This is how I feel when I'm trying to fix a Radar I should know everything about.

[–]benzenoid 1 point2 points ago

reminds me of myself when I try to study Chemistry...

[–]gravitary 1 point2 points ago

INTERDASTING

[–]SinisterMinisterX 0 points1 point ago

Sorry to invade r/funny with some serious: a good teacher is all the difference. Most math texts are dry, so dry, drier than a desert. A great teacher is needed; not just desired, but truly needed.

[–]FullMoon1108 1 point2 points ago

I wrote something in my math textbook to make it interesting

[–]ilikebunnies1 0 points1 point ago

This is how I feel everytime I read a re-post

[–]Yogurt_Huevos 1 point2 points ago

I know that feeling. It really depends on the authors and how interesting they make the topic.

[–]lilflir 1 point2 points ago

damn you calculexia!!

[–]lawtard 1 point2 points ago

This is going to sound weird. But I didn't get better at math until i got older. I think a lot of it has to do with psyching yourself out.

Practice makes perfect. Learn the rules. Just relax. If you fucked up, then you probably didn't apply the rules correctly. There is a order and process to math. If you learn how to think about it the right way. it will come to you.

If you can relate it to something your doing its much more interesting. I remember when I was learning the relationship between mathematics and C#/C++ I suddenly cared about it. Learning in the abstract can be hard. But that is where good teachers come in. Most math teachers fail to do a good job relating math to things people are interested in.

[–]poeticdisaster 1 point2 points ago

It's like me, when I'm on drugs.......

[–]P9P9 0 points1 point ago

looking at all the numbers http://i.imgur.com/mYYmO.jpg

[–]VAZWIP -1 points0 points ago

math is boring

[–]wuchii 0 points1 point ago

yes but have you ever stared at a couch......on weed.

[–]ihategreengummybears -1 points0 points ago

As a college freshman in algebra, this statement is very true.

[–]JoeBoarder 3 points4 points ago

how did you graduate high school? I took algebra in 8th grade.

[–]MukMoo 2 points3 points ago

Have you tried Linear Algebra bro?

[–]JoeBoarder 2 points3 points ago

The way I read that was just some plain old algebra.

[–]learningphotoshop 1 point2 points ago

It is, you (usually) don't take linear algebra as a freshman.

[–]Tezerel 1 point2 points ago

He might have not met the math test requirements to be placed higher

[–]goose666 1 point2 points ago

i dunno why the fuck you're getting downvoted, i'm also a freshman in algebra and this is the most relevant post i've seen since i started browsing this evening (ironically i'm procrastinating on my math HW) and I'm in the same boat you are. cheers on your studies, I hope things go well for you.

[–]banneded 0 points1 point ago

mitt romneys cat

[–]akallio9000 0 points1 point ago

There wasn't any statement about "This page intentionally left blank"?

[–]Hristix 0 points1 point ago

Math text books can be overwhelming. It isn't easy to just pick up one and learn from it, but they make great references. I can look back at my calculus text and do about anything in it I covered in class with five minutes of review. However, there were some classes I missed and it took me hours to figure out a new method or concept from whatever I missed in class...

Physics books are the absolute worst though. I've seen three physics books now that utterly fail to explain anything about one particular topic except for a few equations showing how to solve it. Not, 'this variable x means this, physically it means bla bla.' Just like theta squared natural log of two to the power of negative rho is the equation to solve this problem!'

[–]C12H22O11 0 points1 point ago

I only understand math when I know why I'm doing something. When I am mindlessly plugging in numbers, it means nothing to me so it's confusing and I forget it within two weeks..

[–]Masklin 0 points1 point ago

Best post in a good while!

Thank you OP!

[–]_Indeed 0 points1 point ago

Hmmm, yes, this is indeed a book.

[–]garychencool 0 points1 point ago

Me: I have no idea what I'm doing

[–]Skiggz13 0 points1 point ago

Thank you. I seriously thought this was hilarious.

[–]mellooo -1 points0 points ago

This post needs more comments

[–]TheChugnut -5 points-4 points ago

Maths*

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