Donald Knuth on how he became good at math

http://www.webofstories.com/play/17068?o=MS

by grot • 15 years ago

102 31 15 years ago

afwew• 15 years ago

Summary: He worked hard. Super fucking hard.

I think what's interesting is that he admits to having had no special inclination towards math before college. Only during college, and out of a fear of failure, did he become really good at math.

fragsworth• 15 years ago

The worst thing you can do for a kid's intelligence is to let them think they are smart. I was led to believe I was smart as a child. The resulting intellectual cockiness I had... "I'm too smart for this shit." or "I don't need to study for this crap."

In the end, I don't really like to think about how far it set me back.

ihodes• 15 years ago

I can't help but think the same. Though it wasn't so much hearing it as going to a school that was far too easy. It's not even my grades that have suffered, but how much knowledge I may have let slip by because I just retained it long enough for the grade. On the other hand, the time saved from not studying for some classes has resulted in me picking up a lot of knowledge that I wouldn't have otherwise…

I think what matters most, if you haven't screwed up too bad (and it's hard to mess up that much, for most people on HN, I'd imagine), is that you step back, take a breath, and realize that you still have the potential. Then fucking work.

palish6• 15 years ago

Absolutely. My experience was the same: my mother loved to talk to me about my intelligence and curiosity as if they were rare and therefore special.

Maybe it was true, but by telling me that, she accidentally laid the foundation of the rest of my life: I started distancing myself from my classmates, and eventually my peers.

The result? I now have a skillset roughly equivalent to Carmack's, but no chance to capitalize on it. No one believes nor cares. (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/315/portfolio/pre-textured.jpg ; http://dl.dropbox.com/u/315/portfolio/face.png)

By setting myself apart, I likely ruined myself without even realizing it. It turns out that my skills don't matter. A Carmack without a company is no Carmack at all. And now I've no ability with people, as he does.

gruseom• 15 years ago

Bosh. Learn! You totally can.

smallhands• 15 years ago

Ok I can relate to that myself I am kind of curious can you list those skills

aiscott• 15 years ago

Start your own damn company! You don't have to be best friends to hire an employee.

Tichy• 15 years ago

"no chance to capitalize on it. No one believes nor cares."

Um, when Doom came out, I didn't even know who Carmack was. I just liked the game. Just create something kickass with your skills...

booop• 15 years ago

> I now have a skillset roughly equivalent to Carmack's

That's a very, very bold claim.

vidar• 15 years ago

Thinking about what could have been is a red herring your mind throws out to you. There are countless ways your life could have turned out better.

The only thing that counts is how you improve your current situation, dont let the past disturb that process.

Good luck!

euccastro• 15 years ago

There's a football (soccer) saying: "the most important play is always the next one."

chegra2• 15 years ago

This was my experience too. I just did all the questions in the textbook.

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2496430

I had a book just filled with proofs. After a while, you will get an intuitive understanding of where to go next after each step.

_exec• 15 years ago

What "Math & Statistics" book? Got an ISBN?

chegra2• 15 years ago

I don't remember the name of the textbook, but any with 1000+ questions would do.

langsamer2• 15 years ago

A great math book is Gilbert Strang's "Introduction to Applied Mathematics". Actually anything by Gilbert Strang is worth it.

I would also recommend: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521792851/ref=ox_sc_act_ti...

You could also try out the problems at projecteuler.net

Donald Knuth on how he became good at math

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