This is a sensitive topic for me. Most of my life I felt like I was trying to defy expectations, that somehow I was destined to be stupid / a failure and I was trying my best to counter that. I have a degree in computer science, and work professionally as a software engineer. In all the classes I took in college, I think I would say I understood 5-30% on average of what was talked about each class. But I was able to complete my degree early with nearly all A's, work as a TA during my semesters, and I'm told I'm performing far above my experience level at my job. Ultimately I think I agree with the quote you mentioned. Hard, focused work on the right things will get you very far. And it's way easier to work hard at something you enjoy than something you don't. Thanks for the insightful video!
Haha thanks. Although I definitely felt "impostor syndrome" when I first started working, in school I think it was more that I had to spend a lot of time outside of class to understand the material that some people got more easily from lectures. For whatever reason.@@uwu.-.5873
Respect for sticking it through. Similarly for me, but I'm the opposite. I picked things up fast, but I failed so hard I dropped out twice--six years apart. But just before I dropped out the second time, I started programming outside of class working on my own projects. I made a couple of websites and a webapp and managed to get a job as an IT guy. Not where I wannna be yet but I can focus for way longer now that I'm making stuff that I'm interested in
Currently studying applied mathematics and I understand nearly all that is said in class, the thing is that afterwards when I revise the material I forget almost everything so It’s crucial for me to take notes for the things I know I know in the moment but are for example a requirement for another proof or more advanced concepts so its fkng weird cuz I can grasp almost any material but I forget very quickly. Idk how this works but the saying “hard works beats talent” I assure you its true because if I don’t take time to revise mi notes, not even study just review them I wont remeneber. It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time. GL people of the internet. If you are watching the MS you are already insterested enough to persue some STEM related career, it only takes time and dedication.
The percentage of what I understand depends a great deal on how well something is explained. Some people have such a marvelous talent that they can take even the simplest concept and render it virtually impenetrable.
Thank you for an excellent talk. A good and knowledgeable Lecturer like you can teach a below average student learn even advance mathematics. However the below average student must be prepared to work hard and pay attention and listen to such a talented Lecturer like you sir. However people may have a disability like a tremor in the hands and thus may have difficulty assembling an object
I had the same teacher for Calc 1,2,3 and ODE and he created notes for us that we could print out, and the examples had blank pages in the notes for us to fill it. One of the best teaching styles I’ve seen in a while. You could read over the notes before class and have a general understanding of what was going on, or do some of the problems on your own. Really couldn’t emphasize how useful it was as a student, definitely got spoiled with it.
You brought up a sore subject for me and that is being good something you don’t like. I have many innate abilities and talents that I would gladly trade for the things I actually enjoy and the things that I’m not so good at.
It depends on the subject I’ve found. So for my comp sci classes it ranges from 50%~60%. My math classes are typically 70%~80%. I do see a difference when it comes to the subject. Some things just click nice and easy. The gears turn and slot in perfectly. Other times you have to create different contraptions and new gears entirely to understand. And i do think genetics are the answer for that. And probably early exposure to things and such. Nice video!!😄
Lol I'm slowly becoming addicted to this guy's videos. :D Go on m8! Even though I'm not into maths, I mean I like it, but I'm too lazy to deep dive into it. Can you make a video on taking notes on paper vs taking notes digitally on iPad with stylus?
Calling self lazy is like calling self stupid, if u convince urself, you're accepting it subconsciously. The suggestion is real, words are powerful. Even if its true, step 1 : don't say it/ think it. You may not believe it, you may have been joking, slippery slopes. There is nothing this guy can do that'll motivate you, such is an oxy-moron. You must be the One.
Sometimes I think someone can believe they don't really understand something because they think so critically about it that they feel they don't understand it at the deepest level. I suspect that their peers and even the prof may not understand it fully at that level too. I hope that makes sense.
@@EinsteinAlbert-ii8pzIt does matter, there are those who prefer reading exact quotes, and leaving out the word really creates a lot of confusion in what you did quote. No need to be snotty.
I needed this today. Maths is my passion and I sometimes worry that I’m not good enough. But in reality, I’m like you and I get maths relatively easy. Im pumped to work on vectors and differentials tonight 💪
@@callmedeno i suppose a lot of us have this issue of always wanting more, it's like, i'm able to do math and get good grades but i'm frustrated because i can feel there are like hidden dimensions in mathematics that i cannot see, if you are good you want to be very good, if you are very good you want to be genius, and there's a kind of limit to that, at least that's my case
I will bite. So I stopped a math major due to calc 2. I got a D in calc 2 and no matter how hard I studied when it came to the tests I could do the problems "okay" but I am just very slow with math. I am visual spatially gifted. I was really good at trig, geometry, topology, and organic chemsity, painting, building legos, etc. When it comes to anything visual spatially related, I am almost at 80-90% understanding, quite cool actually. Combinatorics or "series" type math I am at 20-30%. I CRUSHED polar coordinates material in calc 2 lecture, answers flying left and right out of my mouth . But series? or patterns in integrals? never understood them without rigorous study. I will continue my math studies independently and I am curious how I will fare as a topologist.
I pretty much always understand 100% of the lecture, sometimes I miss some things, but usually I understand it all. I thought this was normal but I've always been good at math and never studied much aside from doing the homework.
Although your primarily a Math channel, I love when you discuss topics where you share your philosophical thoughts, you clearly have so much wisdom and I'm all ears for it! I'm in my mid twenties and never went to college, however my entire life I've excelled at math. I was an awful student, a stubborn kid who thought school was a waste of time and refused to participate in most of high school. In most of my classes I would sleep through them, never do homework, and then do just well enough on the tests because I retained information well. The only classes I took interest in were Math and Science. At first compared to my peers, I excelled strongly at math, but I would quickly learn that hard work beats talent. I would pay attention ~50% of the time, do some of the in-classwork, but I NEVER did homework. I just participated the bare minimum to learn some of the content, and managed to ace all of my tests. The combination of zero homework/classwork but good test grades was just enough for me to pass. I made it to intermediate algebra sophomore year where I purposefully wouldn't participate because I knew this was the furthest class I needed to graduate. My senior year I finished Intermediate algebra at 100%. Looking back, I strongly regret being such a poor student and I wish I actually would've applied myself in school. Now at 24, after working in sales for the last 7 years, I hate it. I find myself desiring an education, and this severe longing to solve complex problems. This has led me to research how to self teach Math / Physics, and ultimately how I got here. I'm not sure what to do next, I cant decide if college is really the right next move for me. I'm starting from step one in your series to self teach math, and we'll go from there!
Wasting time learning mathematics that doesn't make you a lot of money is USELESS. It's better for you to learn skills that will make you a lot of money at the age of 24, such as:
Digital marketing, creating content on social media that can be monetized, freelance digital marketing or video editing on Upwork, etc. These skills will make you a lot of money
@@KAMERAD_DPRK good for you if that's what you are doing., but it's not always the case for others. If you like the thing you do because of monetary gain, you do you. We study math because we like the challenge.
Understanding 60-70% of a lecture is a very good foundation for the subject. It would help doing some preparation before the lecture as the lecturers do… it prevents pain and stress. Knowing the syllabus beforehand also helps in understanding the learning goals. In my case, if I’d understood about half of what was being lectured, I’d be happy as a starting point. Usually, I’ve have too many questions to be answered before I could understand fully. I agree, everyone has a talent for something… we’re all equals in one way or another… after all, we’re all humans.
As someone naturally inclined to philosophize, I've struggled for years assessing how well I've actually "understood" something. By personal opinion and experience, perhaps a good measure of understanding can be based off of how well you can reconstruct an idea from its roots and most basic fundamentals. Learning from a lecture, that's probably under 30% for me! However when I'm deciding to sit down and actually think everything through carefully, would say fairly close to that 90% figure and higher, and an enjoyable experience at that!
It's a mistake to equate gifted genetics with early and effortless success. But with or without good genetics, if you get started at something early on in life, and you keep improving, and especially if you get recognized and receive the right support, then the results will keep accumulating and compounding into something truly astonishing. Even if you don't succeed early, you can still bloom at any time, as long as your health and your environment allow you. (Or if you have insane willpower and determination.) Luck matters a lot, too. And help is vital. But if you never stop doing your best and learning from failure, then you can reverse your fortune.
This 💯 ,support and luck is very understated. Most really "successful/accomplished" person if you look at athletes etc had some form of support or luck somewhere that aided the success. Without supportive parents (or mentor, etc) and some sort of financial aid or lucky situation wouldn't reach that level even if they worked really hard too. Of course there are exceptions to everything for the nay sayers and it's nice to think that one can achieve literally anything with just hard work and dedication so we have some hope for the one like me who are not naturally gifted at what they enjoy 😁🤗😂
The method you're talking about here is missing the fact that students get into a class after already going through an admissions process and additional selection processes based on grades, scores and other past performances that try to sort people into courses that fall within an appropriate range. So if you can understand 70% of a lecture, then you've been well-placed and the system is serving you well. If you can only understand 10%, then the selection process has failed you and you need to be somewhere that's a better fit you, based on your current level of ability. Don't judge your full potential in life by this. There's really no way to do that. Just complete against who you were yesterday, last month or last year.
Sure, I completely agree with this. But I’m pretty sure the math sorcerer had started at a basic algebra level when he got to college. So I think he’s saying if you have the prerequisite knowledge and understand about 60-70% then you’ll do good.
@@corbinwilson660 Yes that's true, but he seems a little confused here to be conflating that with estimating intelligence. Although, come to think of it, maybe you could use it that way if you also take into consideration how demanding your course is. For example, you're arguably highly intelligent if you understand 70% of what's in the lecture of your first semester, freshman year course on Real Analysis and Linear Algebra at Harvard! Lol (But even there you'd have to consider how well your previous environment prepared you to handle such a course, and whether or not you only show high ability in this one specialized area.)
I was all over the place for sure. It's really hard to place a number on it. I liked discrete math a lot, that probably takes the cake with near 100%. Abstract algebra (like you), geometry (300 level w/ axiomatic style proofs), calc 1 and calc 2, those were my stronger courses. I think for those I was 80%+. For Probability and statistics, Real Analysis, and number theory, I enjoyed those a lot, I'll say 50-60%. They were hard courses that I knew were hard and I enjoyed the challenge of them. For Linear Algebra, I'll put myself at a 15% maybe, lol. I haaaated working with matrices and doing matrix multiplication by hand. Never again. Calc 3 I probably could have done better but I took it over the summer and it was a 5 week grind of 3 hour classes 5 days a week. It sucked. But I was behind and had to do it. I'll probably put that one at 50% too, but it could have been much higher if it were taken over a longer timeframe. I mentioned discrete math as my strongest class. Well my senior year of college I had to take a programming class. I realized hey I'm pretty good at this, and looked around the room and everyone else was so lost. It just came so easy for me. Four years after I graduated, I went back to school to study computer science for 2 years, earning a second degree. I needed to take discrete 1 and 2 again (IDK, don't ask me why!) and I crushed both of them. Both were easy A's for me. Then of course computer science is a natural extension of it, so everything in that program was probably 95%+. Another thing I want to mention is that even if stuff didn't make sense at the time, you might realize looking back on it that the things that confused you then no longer confuse you now. Your brain kinda puts it in the back corner of your mind, but never forgets about it. It works the problem with you unaware, until one day you come across the concept again and realize "hey! This makes sense now!" Happens to me a lot.
yes yes yes for the last bit. this could be taken as yet another asterisk tacked on to IQ tests. they are entirely conscious. the problems you work on for years can be just as hard as the questions that nudge you towards a higher IQ, but you don't study iq tests, and you have time to process these questions subconsciously. However, it is a feat of psychology that a test has been designed to measure conscious processes in a way that is so hard to study for. Yet, anything can be hard to study for given that you go to class and understand a low percentage of what is said.
To me, writing *everything* that is taught in your notes is insanely diligent. I'm imagining either they speak slowly, you miss some or the work of doing that would mean you don't process the contents of the class in real time but rather when you get home and go over your notes. I didn't study notes but I realised, at least for me, there were real tradeoffs between writing notes and actually being present and comprehending a lecture in real time.
I agree. I think you should write down big concepts in class, and perhaps the things the teacher says is important and then go home and fill in the holes in your knowledge from the book. And what I mean by the important things is that some college professors, especially in lower level classes, will tell you “a problem like this will be on the test” or they’ll go into a topic more than the book does. So maybe it’s good to read the book before hand (not understand it all but enough so that you can catch where the teacher is putting more emphasis than the book did). It can also be good to write down examples.
My complex analysis professor gave us her note taking philosophy after half the class bombed the first exam. She said she didn't want to see the tops of our heads when she turned around: write down Theorem statements, the first line of the proof, and the last line, then just pay attention. When you get home, go back and look at the theorems. If you can see how to get from the beginning to the end in your head, great; if you can't, try to work through it; if you have problems, check the textbook; and if you still need help after that, come into office hours. Best advice I ever got.
I had a very similar experience too! I found abstract algebra and algebraic proofs to be my absolute strong suit. On the other hand, topology absolutely kicked me in the ass.
I love your views on this! Coming from a place where things are just imposed on you, listening to this is like a breath of fresh air. As for me, it also depends on the teacher and a LOT on my anxiety levels which are very high most of the time im working on it in therapy. On a non-anxious day i can understand 80-90 percent of the stuff
On most days I could get 100% of the lectures. But I was always too bored and lazy to do the homework. As the lessons went on and as I started dealing with mental problems, sports, lack of sleep, and my lack of desire to pay attention that number went down to 0 ot 10% maybe after 6 weeks of the same subject. Then when it was time to focus on a new area of the same field of math I'd often catch on faster than almost all of the class. The teacher often put hints towards the next day's lesson in the last 3 or 4 problems of the homework so I fell behind every year. Dispite the near failing grade every quarter I clung onto the advanced math classes for dear life because I knew I could never stand the boredom of something lower level. As soon as I had the credits I needed I stopped taking math.
I agree with the genticd plays a role to an extent I took a test for some help and at the math test I was told geez you are good at matg. I told my dad who retired as a controller for a company said that I inherited that from him. As lf this comment he is still alive. Also i think that it was passed down from my father father if that makes sense.
I don't understand why everyone can't draw. All you have to do is be able to draw a line to draw anything. I have no respect for IQ test. Sorry. I would suggest not taking a IQ test. I don't think there is anything to be gained from it. I also believe after someone has taken a test x amount of times that the person can no longer be tested accurately because the person has memorized what to say and do on the test. I don't like how schools divide children up based on IQ test, aptitude test, or those end of the year tests. They label the kids based on those tests. The y put kids labeled college bound in classes together, and kids they don't think will ever go to college in class together. I also think teachers judge kids based on whether they are labeled college bound or not. I believe teachers make no effort to teach kids that are not labeled college bound.
@@TheMathSorcerer drawing takes a lot of my patience. It just occurred to me we use a graph in drawing that is sort like graphs one might use in math when they graph y and x coordinates Then we just fill in shapes of the thing we're drawing onto the graph I have been relating a lot of things to math since I've started studying it😆😆😆so now when someone tells me I'll never use math, I try to explain how I use a graph in drawing and the graph is kind of like a graph in math
One of the biggest failures of education is the groupings that you mention. By grouping all the so called 'gifted' kids together in one class, and all the so called 'remedial' in another, you are robbing both groups of valuable experience. The 'remedial' kids lose out on the opportunity to see something they can emulate. The 'gifted' kids lose out on the chance to help deepen their understanding by articulating their understanding of a subject to people who don't understand it as well. We need classrooms to foster a collaborative and supportive experience for all involved, and not use them as a way to categorize children into a predetermined life.
Very insightful. I was someone who understood 100% in high school, got to college, didn't take notes, flunked OUT. Felt like if I didn't understand something the first time, I didn't deserve to learn it, but here I am with a new mindset. It's ok to phase things out sometimes and revisit them later. Time has a domain that stretches to positive infinity as far as we know!
Constantly doing everything I can to improve in math. Reading math books, AI applications, TH-cam, and tutoring sessions. I have to be persistent to be good at math. Cannot wait until that day.
I am currently at University doing Bsc. I noticed this since high school that if I don't miss any of the lectures I usually understand 90 percent of the stuff. But eventually, I always end up missing a lot of lectures, because of sleep. Making notes during lecture has always felt like a sin lol.
Go for it! A typical Calculus text starts wtih a Review Chapter containing Algebra, Analytic Geometry & Trigonometry. The easy part of Calculus is that it's geometric and visual, so you can draw pictures for the fundamental concepts.
I was always envy of people who could easily comprehend Math. Unfortunately, I am finding myself in the third category, where I can understand almost nothing. Ok, not nothing but the bare minimum. I couldn't understand the necessity and how to apply all these formulas and theories in the practice. I don't know... I have a more artistic nature I guess! I have to notice though that I don't like many people who are good at Math because I think they are like ''cold machines''. They think always in Math, and numbers seem to rule their lives. I hate these people actually because they don't see you like human being but as a 80 kg piece of mass that is breathing 75 liter of air in 67 seconds, or something like that. Numbers, numbers, always numbers. All of their thoughts are revolving around numbers. ps: You seem a nice guy though, so don't take everything I say by grain!!! : p
I think your perception of people who like mathematics is gravely flawed. I love mathematics and I would say I have a talent for it and I am just as artistic and passionate as the average person (that’s a lie actually I’m more artistic and passionate). Look at Einstein… arguably one of the greatest scientists of all time and he played violin like a wizard. He said if he hadn’t been a physicist he would have been a musician. I believe if you are interested in mathematics you are likely to be artistic too. Look at Leonardo da Vinci.
Had to learn statistics really fast for my science degree- i am only good at maths if I can use it to find out something otherwise I just cant 😊 This is more like a councelling session . I remember 80% of the stats i learnt because I use it but some the stuff on circles and triangles from highschool 10% - i only ren some formulaes 😮
I think I might be on the opposite end of the spectrum, All the classes I took in my under graduate computer science course, I understood 95-100% all the time, (maybe because i looked up cs related stuff occasionally cause i was interested in it). However this led to me being overconfident and i never used to study for any of the exams and managed to get passing grades mostly. if i did study a day or 2 before, i would generally get As. I, however did suffer when trying to learn subjects that weren't related to computer science like signal processing, I think having an interest in the subject makes all the difference. I did hear advice similar to yours from Andrew Huberman. He basically said that it doesnt matter hwo smart or gifted you are if you are not going it use it , it will be a waste, and i guess i learnt it the hard way after failing a a few subjects (though i cleared them later) . But now i work hard and make sure to not to be overconfident in my future studies as I'm planning to pursue a master's and maybe learn the joy of getting straight A's
I've got a very high spatial intelligence that makes math probably a lot easier for me than most people. I can visualize the equations in my mind and work them out without having to write things down. I skipped over algebra 1&2 and went straight to statistics and calculus. I'm pretty dumb in other ways though such as spelling. I've got to work hard on my spelling.
I think, going into a lecture blind I would understand about 60-70%. But what I do Is often read up on the subject before hand so I've already made the conceptual links to understand the subject better leading me to understand about 80-90%
This isn't something I can answer with certainty because I really don't know. I've never thought to measure how quickly I learn in this way. I'm pretty confident that I am able to understand at least half of the material I read(percentage could be, and probably is higher, I don't know). There have been plenty of times where I can fly through an entire section of say an online site like khan academy, or a book and understand everything without issue. But then there are also gray areas where I stop myself to understand a concept really well. I should probably just move on, although that's much easier said than done as the stubborn side of me just won't allow it. If I had to guess, I would assume I'm about in the same range as you described. Although I don't know for sure, I might be lower, I might be higher(I doubt this though). Good video... :)
Maybe you took more challenging classes. If I didn't understand 95% every day, I was crazed about it. I had a full minor, so: calculus, adv. calc, diff eq, etc., and my most advanced class was . . . Abstract Algebra.
Heh...I wasn't able to write quickly enough to follow what my lecturers were showing us. I would go back to the text book [Stewart's Calculus - Early Transcendentals] and try to slog through the assigned homework problems while trying to find those parts of the book that fit what was covered in our lectures.
Your that super smart kid in the class ,now you have muscles and im still slow but I'm trying new method ,Like the guitar ,I do some math or take lesson on YT for 20 Min. I'm still slow but I'm actually learning little things I learned guitar I',m gonna learn math the same way I know it works
I think this is solid but also take into account if you have a good teacher. I am an artist. I don't work professionally for reasons but for the longest time as a kid I thought I couldn't paint at all. Every time I had to paint in class or even the one time I went to a painting class as a child I SUCKED HARD. I don't think I have any talent in art besides my creativity. I got really good at art on my own because of how I was thinking about art compared to how it's usually taught to think. It wasn't something whimsical to me, there was a sort of science to it and I figured that science out in my head and as new concepts were explained to me it was extremely easy to de-mystify the concepts in my head when I applied less of an artistic approach but an analytical approach. Once I understood it analytically then i added my own artist spin. BUT I couldn't understand how people made such clean painting and even when it was a bit more abstract it all felt so intentional. I purposefully gave up on painting until i graduated highschool. I can work in crayon, color pastel oil or chalk, marker. I already knew it was because painting doesn't allow for the same control over the material like most dry media and even markers. The marks are extremely predictable and fixed. With painting it was really demanding me to actually turn on my artist brain first and its a bit magical. Painting really is the mark of an artist imo. It is the proofs of math. Really really test how you are able to break down the world visually and mechanically(chemically in terms of the types of paint you use and depending on how they are made determines how they mix with other types of paints and the spectrum of color that is allowed. This even applies digitally because RGB is not the only digital color specturm you can use.) Pushes every concept of art to the max sometimes in an annoying way. Color theory is literally magic becaus eit makes sense but the more you understand it the more you realize nah it dont make sense this shouldn't make sense. BUT NOT A SINGLE TEACHER could explain to me how what i see of masters wasn't even simply a learned control it simply was a different mindset and control compared to anything else. A control that requires serious outside of the box thinking or creativity and serious patience and insane mental clairvoyance that I already thought I had a strong grasp on alone. When you get a grasp on all that you can bring in an analytical approach easier once you understand the magic of freedom essentially. I could paint as a kid if I had a lot more patience and didn't treat painting like something else other than painting but no one would teach us the spirit of what painting really is and how it's literally different from any other media in application, thought, methodology everything. To the very basics of LINE it obscures what a line can be visually. When it comes to new concepts it is integral it is taught that you can get it on the spot or at least get it down the line(ie. when you later on read over your notes compared to understanding things on the fly as you write them down and listen). I say this because getting it and applying the information is two different things imo. If something is taught poorly you don't actually have an accurate understanding of how well you get this subject in terms of if you actually suck at it or you weren't given the right mental framework to get it in the first place.
one thing i think, is people never try to get smarter via foundations, memory and recall practice, logic reason and problem solving practice, cognitive function practice... they always try to get better at learning a subject, never learning in and of itself. this i believe is the key to unlock your true potential... for example intermittent fasting, eat cognitive enhancing minerals, foundational brain training, i would say start there. then when youve mastered your mind, dive into what intrigues you most. y'all should watch the tedx talks on memory and brain training, the statistics will blow your mind how much they improve your learning abilities.
i really cant find out what my talents are, i dont think i have any edit: i usually understand 50% of the things in my math class currently, unlike earlier in my life where i understood maybe 20%, for example i couldn't get passed my 6 times table in 3rd grade when the rest of my class could, but now in high school i am slightly above average. a little note is that i have ADHD
When I was in elementary, I did well in math because my teacher was strict and wanted to insult us. When I went to high school I did bad because my teacher was encouraging. I guess I just respond differently.
For me, the problem was not whether I understood what was being said/written, but was whether or not I believed the statements were true. In many classes, I had to carefully re-read notes or find other sources until I could accept the lecture.
This video really hit at the right time! I'm trying to get into building things/learning engineering on my own (I'm a psychology student but want to make things as a hobby), and I get discouraged seeing how easy it is for other people. I'm naturally somewhat impaired in visual-spatial skills and that makes things more difficult for me (hence why I have difficulty with math starting from geometry onward). But I also am very gifted in terms of things like vocabulary and logic (I'm very good with the algebraic side of math), and so that's a big strength academically. I often think I'm not "smart enough" when really I am just bad at some things and good at other things.
Formal education, for me, is a dim and distant memory. To give a percentage of retention would be pure guesswork. I've stayed interested, though. Through a rollercoaster of a life, I've kept the noodle stimulated.
Thanks for te video ❤ Hold on ser .I Wana ask u question:Should a mathematician be familiar with various sciences such as physics, computer science, etc., or should he focus on only one thing so that he can be creative in it?
Personally, I don't believe anyone is born a "genius". Rather, they are shaped by their experiences, and many fall in love with their crafts earlier than most average people. While typical children were playing in the playground, these kids found that boring and preferred Mathematics, Physics, or other subjects. They got a head start in the marathon by hours, but you can still grab that Gatorade and catch up! Many have done it!
I think the molecular-level and physiological changes that happen day-to-day and over longer time periods are too detailed and complex to be characterized accurately with any justifiable degree of precision. It is internally subjective for an individual, and difficult to impossible for one person to evaluate another. Grades? That's a black hole subject. Mathematics, as many abstract topics, has too many inter-relations and connections to be amenable to comparison, and what, or who, is the answer key? At what point, or over what period, is considered? Too much abstract esoterica to communicate anything substantive.
Damn... I've been told I'm inferior by a 26yrs-student who are in 1yr-Master's degree of Biochemistry with 130's IQ in average, because mine was 110 in average and I'm on the 2yrs-stage of Computer Science in 4yr-BA in my 31yrs old. And he said inferiors who are not able to understand sth highly-complexed must follow commands from the superiors. And he said Japan is the ideal perfect society. I don't know why I was told like this...
Im probably a 30-40% on a good day. Learning 9-18% on an average day. Around -50% on a bad day (yes I lose memory and intelligence when stuff get a bit too hard. Struggling in physics rn.
Thankyou Sir . Your videos are very helpful in getting inspired to study Science subjects. Please continue uploading. Till the age of 14 i used to understand almost 90 % of the subjects in the school class itself.... especially Physics which was my most favourite sub then. Maths n Chemistry were also easy n very interesting. But after that a great disaster fell upon me... i was victimized to blackmagic n other crookedness of my envious elder brother n his guru . i became ill n was forced to take harmful allopathy medicines which has caused some brain damage. Nevertheless, by God's grace i continued my education till Post Graduation in Vedantha from Govt University ... where i got second rank in State. And now iam interested in Spirituality. My life's ambition now is to make Spiritual Progress.. get closer to God... as much as possible in this life. i hope that such a time would come when Spirituality and the modern Scientists in their pursuit of Truth...will converge together and move forward hand in hand... making this world more peaceful. 🙏
stats I keep seeing pop up are: You recall 25% of what you hear, 50% of what you see, and 75% of what you see and hear. So the 60-70% is close to the 75%, b/c the teacher is both talking and writing on the board, so you can see it.
I have a problem. I'm writing my exams for the Graduation in the spring. This is comparable to A-Level. So at the moment I'm still going to school. In our class, I understand almost all the concepts in class, but the level is not yet as high as real mathematics and different. How do I find out how good I am and can become at math? I know I'm not very good at mental arithmetic, but I like math so much that I read books about it in my free time and I would like to do math. If I made any mistakes while writing, I'm sorry. I am not a native English speaker.
People don't enjoy what is difficult to them. Subconsciously, when something is difficult there's a natural tendency to want to avoid it. This explains why a lot of people avoid math. They find it difficult and avoid it....The advice is to keep at it to try to understand more and more...it gets easier and therefore more enjoyable. It's getting over that initial uncomfortable part and telling themselves confusion is a good thing....
Man it really depends. On average its about 60-70%. At my best and worst it can range from 30%-100%. When I took intro to logic it was 0% for almost the entire semester but the professor was willing to work with us twice a week after school.
Good point MathSorcerer, but my take on the matter is that understanding is one thing, and applying is another thing. Sure, someone can understand 60-70% of the things in class, but might not good at applying whatever he is taught even if he understood the concepts. Knowledge without correct application is useless IMO. So basically for me, another way someone could measure how smart he is, is by checking or seeing his performance in STEM classes, if he is getting good grades after giving a lot of effort, (getting B and A in classes / even the hardest classes), then that is a good indication that he is smart or has good intellect. If he's putting 100% effort and failing over and over again a class, or barely passing by( getting bottom C or something), then it is an indication perhaps to switch major and see what other field he could excel at. Because at the end of the day, it sucks giving something 100% effort and your all and barely passing the class or classes everytime. So better go with something you're getting great results at after giving significant effort to it :D
I've decided to take advanced mathematics course rather than the shorter one in this year December. Currenly in highschool, and 60-70% also for me. Been still average in math, but working on it.
The further I went up the chain of courses from elementary to advanced (and it was only up to differential equations) the less I understood from just paying attention in class. Once I realized how much I was struggling in DiffEQ, I realized I didn't have the drive to keep going in math/physics and switched to Computer Science. It worked out that was a great decision as I loved programming and have had a great career in software development.
My parents moved around a lot when I was young, so I missed a lot of the fundamental Maths that all the rest is built on. Consequently, I didn't have a clue what was going on in class and used to feel like watching the Maths teacher do a sum on the board was like watching a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Later, at university, I decided to make up for my lack of knowledge in this area, by attending a course for adult beginners. I would say that my comprehension rate of that material was around 70-80% at that time. Low, considering the course was specifically made for people like me. Anyway, I came to appreciate, and even like, a subject that, until then, had only meant torture and failure to me. I remember picking up a book on Geometry by Euclid in a second hand bookshop and sighing with happiness at my find.
I understand everything I write down 100% and also start applying it to problems outside the lesson during writing things down. My problem is that I run out of energy VERY quickly. I can understand perfectly and completely, but my mental energy only lets me do about one lesson a day before I have to recharge. If I do more than one lesson a day I need a days break. Every gift come with a curse to keep us in line it seems. Why I don't apply this gift to mathematics all the time is that I see the solutions to much larger problems that humanity is facing. The problem is, that in order to participate in applying the solutions I know are right, I need to learn the language that is used to apply them, which is mathematics. And then the energy situation crops up again... It's like having the library of god in your head, but you can only turn on the lights for a short period of time.
To be honest with you, i feel that i start very good in almost every new field i open up for myself (sorry for the big generalisation there). I understand up to 80% or 90% of the new material. However, the further we progress goes in any topic, the worse i understand and grasp concepts which are being described. In about half a year (one year max) i understand very very small amount of material. From 5% up to 20% maximum. I have a very bad memory and i always struggle to find patterns the more complex the subject becomes. However, if we are speaking about basics at the start, i feel pretty comfortable with it right at the beginning. A small and easy example i can give is when starting a new game (let's say a board game) not completely based on random, i tend to win a lot. However, the more i play with the same people, the more i lose, ending that i lose almost every time. I cannot build those assosiations and patterns in my brain as easily as others can. So, i tend to process the information almost at the same capacity as right at the beginning, while others do it faster, better and more efficient, basing their current level on all the information they have already got earlier. Basically, i show some impressive results at the begginning and often people think i am smart, while at the same time in half a year i am doing lots of heavy memorizing and stressful practicing in order to remain just a bit below avarage at best. So yeah, not everyone is smart, i am afraid. Unfortunately, i am not the one either.
Im currently taking a topology course. The course two parts: point set topology and algebraic topology. We are still in the point set topology part and i feel like everything have been kind of okay so i would say 85%. But im a bit scared of the algebraic topology part. Also at the same time im taking measure theory. I gotta be honest, 50% - 60% on the recent lectures but 100% on the earlier ones. Any first and second year math course like calc 1,2,3 linear algebra and first abstract algebra i think i can safely say i got 85% to 95%. This of course increases my average but now that i am entering grad school, shit is getting real! I think at the end i will average like you, 60% to 70% (i would be lucky xD). I remember watching one of your videos years ago on the difference between undergraduate and graduate level math courses. You could not have been more right about the difficulty level. Thank you for that heads up!
I have finished psychology 5 year program. Many psychologists dislike how IQ tests are presented. The common one with pictures and multiplce choice is Raven's matrix and it doesnt show anything. Interestingly, Ravens Matrixes give european/american students way higher scores than in the rest of the world because they are based on our understanding of geometry/math I think there are many ways to measure something and I feel like consistency matters a lot, I had best results at what I struggled the most at the beginning, because I happened to get support and consistent schedule, whereas in stuff I was good at I was just above peers and didnt have anyone to compete with
Haven't gone into college because, well simply because I'm 18 and at the moment, I'm slouching about until I figure out what I want to do in life. I only have highschool to go off of, but on average I can confidently say I've understood anywhere from 50ish to 60ish% of what was taught. I was also made a habit of sleeping in class and was absent for just shy of half the school year for every grade onward since entering middle school. I managed to get into advanced classes in middle school and had honors in high and few ap classes but those weren't for me. Besides I never and still don't see myself as some secret genius, just figured I got lucky and ended in those classes so that they could be filled, though those around would probably say otherwise.
I have a question for you: I always read a chapter ahead in my maths courses. So, for example, if we're going over Chapter 1.2 in class on Wednesday, I would read, take notes, and probably do all the exercises for that section on Tuesday. I'm guessing this significantly affects your measurement of what percentage of the lecture you understand on a given day? Thanks.
60 to 70% with really fat tails (max in abstract algebra and graph theory, min in stats and probability) is where I'd put my 'cognizance number' (the name I've come up with for your method) for my maths courses. Highly varies for other subjects. It's something like 80-90% for most CS course I took (except networks - I'd say maybe I'd understand 50-60% of the lectures? That's quite a skew). With Chemistry (bless GE) it was like 50% throughout... lol Btw I do think that if there even is something like 'natural talent' (and not just another lurking variable, such as interest in learning something leading to more experience with it), its impact on what you can learn is minimal. I've got straight As in all my classes, regardless of the cognizance number.
I feel like I understand things fast but have horrible memory so will forget everything if I don't do it on an almost daily basis, like my HardDrive is too small and as to delete everything that is "irrelevant"😂
I really like the fact that you are thinking and talking about things like this: e.g., how to judge Intelligence, mental normalcy, math ability, etc. I was a physics major but took almost enough math classes to be a math major. (Took extra math as an insurance policy for physics). I would say that depending on the lecture, I came close to understanding half to three quarters of the math lectures. (But it varied a lot and I didn't do well in diffy q). But like you, I wrote everything down and was a careful note taker. One thing that occurs to me is that in order to take notes, you can't focus your full attention on the content of the lecture because of the act of writing. (Constantly looking up then down, writing and checking for accuracy.) If a student could hire a professional note taker and focus entirely on the lecture, I think comprehension would be quite a bit higher. Thank you for your thoughts. No question in my mind that IQ is not that accurate in gauging intelligence or future achievement.
Theres a sort of emptiness i think i see in this guy's eyes. Maybe its just me, buh , been observing him for quite a while now and its the same observation..
I already know I have a high IQ -- I watch "The Math Sorcerer" on youtube
This is a sensitive topic for me. Most of my life I felt like I was trying to defy expectations, that somehow I was destined to be stupid / a failure and I was trying my best to counter that.
I have a degree in computer science, and work professionally as a software engineer. In all the classes I took in college, I think I would say I understood 5-30% on average of what was talked about each class. But I was able to complete my degree early with nearly all A's, work as a TA during my semesters, and I'm told I'm performing far above my experience level at my job.
Ultimately I think I agree with the quote you mentioned. Hard, focused work on the right things will get you very far. And it's way easier to work hard at something you enjoy than something you don't.
Thanks for the insightful video!
Impostor syndrome
If you're a TA you're not stupid, or at least not below average
Haha thanks. Although I definitely felt "impostor syndrome" when I first started working, in school I think it was more that I had to spend a lot of time outside of class to understand the material that some people got more easily from lectures. For whatever reason.@@uwu.-.5873
Respect for sticking it through. Similarly for me, but I'm the opposite. I picked things up fast, but I failed so hard I dropped out twice--six years apart. But just before I dropped out the second time, I started programming outside of class working on my own projects. I made a couple of websites and a webapp and managed to get a job as an IT guy. Not where I wannna be yet but I can focus for way longer now that I'm making stuff that I'm interested in
Nice. Keep it up!@@Luca-tw9fk
Currently studying applied mathematics and I understand nearly all that is said in class, the thing is that afterwards when I revise the material I forget almost everything so It’s crucial for me to take notes for the things I know I know in the moment but are for example a requirement for another proof or more advanced concepts so its fkng weird cuz I can grasp almost any material but I forget very quickly. Idk how this works but the saying “hard works beats talent” I assure you its true because if I don’t take time to revise mi notes, not even study just review them I wont remeneber. It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time. GL people of the internet. If you are watching the MS you are already insterested enough to persue some STEM related career, it only takes time and dedication.
I asked mom. She said I'm a smart boi.
🔥
The percentage of what I understand depends a great deal on how well something
is explained. Some people have such a marvelous talent that they can take even
the simplest concept and render it virtually impenetrable.
Thank you for an excellent talk. A good and knowledgeable Lecturer like you can teach a below average student learn even advance mathematics. However the below average student must be prepared to work hard and pay attention and listen to such a talented Lecturer like you sir. However people may have a disability like a tremor in the hands and thus may have difficulty assembling an object
I had the same teacher for Calc 1,2,3 and ODE and he created notes for us that we could print out, and the examples had blank pages in the notes for us to fill it. One of the best teaching styles I’ve seen in a while.
You could read over the notes before class and have a general understanding of what was going on, or do some of the problems on your own. Really couldn’t emphasize how useful it was as a student, definitely got spoiled with it.
Makes solid sense. why go to a lecture to hear new words that'll lose you
Why does it look like this guy sees the world in fractals...
Calling him a psychonaut lol
You brought up a sore subject for me and that is being good something you don’t like. I have many innate abilities and talents that I would gladly trade for the things I actually enjoy and the things that I’m not so good at.
It depends on the subject I’ve found. So for my comp sci classes it ranges from 50%~60%. My math classes are typically 70%~80%. I do see a difference when it comes to the subject. Some things just click nice and easy. The gears turn and slot in perfectly. Other times you have to create different contraptions and new gears entirely to understand. And i do think genetics are the answer for that. And probably early exposure to things and such.
Nice video!!😄
Lol I'm slowly becoming addicted to this guy's videos. :D Go on m8! Even though I'm not into maths, I mean I like it, but I'm too lazy to deep dive into it. Can you make a video on taking notes on paper vs taking notes digitally on iPad with stylus?
good idea, thank you!
Calling self lazy is like calling self stupid, if u convince urself, you're accepting it subconsciously. The suggestion is real, words are powerful. Even if its true, step 1 : don't say it/ think it. You may not believe it, you may have been joking, slippery slopes. There is nothing this guy can do that'll motivate you, such is an oxy-moron. You must be the One.
Sometimes I think someone can believe they don't really understand something because they think so critically about it that they feel they don't understand it at the deepest level. I suspect that their peers and even the prof may not understand it fully at that level too. I hope that makes sense.
You're right on target!
"Everybody is a genius if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life believing it is stupid" - A. Einstein
You forgot a “but” between “genius” and “if”
@@giannifois8948 Thanks for noticing! But it doesn't matter tho
@@EinsteinAlbert-ii8pzIt does matter, there are those who prefer reading exact quotes, and leaving out the word really creates a lot of confusion in what you did quote. No need to be snotty.
@@ccriztoffThreat?
@@atlantic_love Did you know the math wizard has an onlyfans account?
I needed this today. Maths is my passion and I sometimes worry that I’m not good enough. But in reality, I’m like you and I get maths relatively easy. Im pumped to work on vectors and differentials tonight 💪
I'm curious if you get maths relatively easy why would you worry you're not good enough?
I feel exactly the same way. I want to go far, in math, and I love it, but I'm just not the greatest at it.
@@callmedenoBecause everyone feels this way, occasionally at least.
@@callmedeno i suppose a lot of us have this issue of always wanting more, it's like, i'm able to do math and get good grades but i'm frustrated because i can feel there are like hidden dimensions in mathematics that i cannot see, if you are good you want to be very good, if you are very good you want to be genius, and there's a kind of limit to that, at least that's my case
Intelligence exists on many levels. I wouldn’t want to do math if it’s a cakewalk to the title.
@83jbbentley
Yes, but why not?
I will bite. So I stopped a math major due to calc 2. I got a D in calc 2 and no matter how hard I studied when it came to the tests I could do the problems "okay" but I am just very slow with math. I am visual spatially gifted. I was really good at trig, geometry, topology, and organic chemsity, painting, building legos, etc. When it comes to anything visual spatially related, I am almost at 80-90% understanding, quite cool actually. Combinatorics or "series" type math I am at 20-30%. I CRUSHED polar coordinates material in calc 2 lecture, answers flying left and right out of my mouth . But series? or patterns in integrals? never understood them without rigorous study. I will continue my math studies independently and I am curious how I will fare as a topologist.
Thanks!
I pretty much always understand 100% of the lecture, sometimes I miss some things, but usually I understand it all. I thought this was normal but I've always been good at math and never studied much aside from doing the homework.
Although your primarily a Math channel, I love when you discuss topics where you share your philosophical thoughts, you clearly have so much wisdom and I'm all ears for it! I'm in my mid twenties and never went to college, however my entire life I've excelled at math. I was an awful student, a stubborn kid who thought school was a waste of time and refused to participate in most of high school. In most of my classes I would sleep through them, never do homework, and then do just well enough on the tests because I retained information well.
The only classes I took interest in were Math and Science. At first compared to my peers, I excelled strongly at math, but I would quickly learn that hard work beats talent. I would pay attention ~50% of the time, do some of the in-classwork, but I NEVER did homework. I just participated the bare minimum to learn some of the content, and managed to ace all of my tests. The combination of zero homework/classwork but good test grades was just enough for me to pass. I made it to intermediate algebra sophomore year where I purposefully wouldn't participate because I knew this was the furthest class I needed to graduate. My senior year I finished Intermediate algebra at 100%. Looking back, I strongly regret being such a poor student and I wish I actually would've applied myself in school.
Now at 24, after working in sales for the last 7 years, I hate it. I find myself desiring an education, and this severe longing to solve complex problems. This has led me to research how to self teach Math / Physics, and ultimately how I got here. I'm not sure what to do next, I cant decide if college is really the right next move for me. I'm starting from step one in your series to self teach math, and we'll go from there!
Wasting time learning mathematics that doesn't make you a lot of money is USELESS. It's better for you to learn skills that will make you a lot of money at the age of 24, such as:
Digital marketing, creating content on social media that can be monetized, freelance digital marketing or video editing on Upwork, etc. These skills will make you a lot of money
@@KAMERAD_DPRK good for you if that's what you are doing., but it's not always the case for others. If you like the thing you do because of monetary gain, you do you. We study math because we like the challenge.
@@KAMERAD_DPRK tone deaf advice.
Understanding 60-70% of a lecture is a very good foundation for the subject. It would help doing some preparation before the lecture as the lecturers do… it prevents pain and stress. Knowing the syllabus beforehand also helps in understanding the learning goals.
In my case, if I’d understood about half of what was being lectured, I’d be happy as a starting point. Usually, I’ve have too many questions to be answered before I could understand fully.
I agree, everyone has a talent for something… we’re all equals in one way or another… after all, we’re all humans.
As someone naturally inclined to philosophize, I've struggled for years assessing how well I've actually "understood" something.
By personal opinion and experience, perhaps a good measure of understanding can be based off of how well you can reconstruct an idea from its roots and most basic fundamentals.
Learning from a lecture, that's probably under 30% for me! However when I'm deciding to sit down and actually think everything through carefully, would say fairly close to that 90% figure and higher, and an enjoyable experience at that!
Lookin rough, Still out there ♨️
These videos are so seriously underrated
1st attempt, 60%. Post revision at the end of the week, 70%, but that is after I have harrased the teacher with questions.
It's a mistake to equate gifted genetics with early and effortless success. But with or without good genetics, if you get started at something early on in life, and you keep improving, and especially if you get recognized and receive the right support, then the results will keep accumulating and compounding into something truly astonishing.
Even if you don't succeed early, you can still bloom at any time, as long as your health and your environment allow you. (Or if you have insane willpower and determination.)
Luck matters a lot, too. And help is vital. But if you never stop doing your best and learning from failure, then you can reverse your fortune.
This 💯 ,support and luck is very understated. Most really "successful/accomplished" person if you look at athletes etc had some form of support or luck somewhere that aided the success. Without supportive parents (or mentor, etc) and some sort of financial aid or lucky situation wouldn't reach that level even if they worked really hard too. Of course there are exceptions to everything for the nay sayers and it's nice to think that one can achieve literally anything with just hard work and dedication so we have some hope for the one like me who are not naturally gifted at what they enjoy 😁🤗😂
@@magalimasson9472 You may have natural gifts that will blossom later, my friend!
The method you're talking about here is missing the fact that students get into a class after already going through an admissions process and additional selection processes based on grades, scores and other past performances that try to sort people into courses that fall within an appropriate range. So if you can understand 70% of a lecture, then you've been well-placed and the system is serving you well.
If you can only understand 10%, then the selection process has failed you and you need to be somewhere that's a better fit you, based on your current level of ability.
Don't judge your full potential in life by this. There's really no way to do that. Just complete against who you were yesterday, last month or last year.
Sure, I completely agree with this. But I’m pretty sure the math sorcerer had started at a basic algebra level when he got to college. So I think he’s saying if you have the prerequisite knowledge and understand about 60-70% then you’ll do good.
@@corbinwilson660 Yes that's true, but he seems a little confused here to be conflating that with estimating intelligence. Although, come to think of it, maybe you could use it that way if you also take into consideration how demanding your course is. For example, you're arguably highly intelligent if you understand 70% of what's in the lecture of your first semester, freshman year course on Real Analysis and Linear Algebra at Harvard! Lol (But even there you'd have to consider how well your previous environment prepared you to handle such a course, and whether or not you only show high ability in this one specialized area.)
I was all over the place for sure. It's really hard to place a number on it. I liked discrete math a lot, that probably takes the cake with near 100%. Abstract algebra (like you), geometry (300 level w/ axiomatic style proofs), calc 1 and calc 2, those were my stronger courses. I think for those I was 80%+. For Probability and statistics, Real Analysis, and number theory, I enjoyed those a lot, I'll say 50-60%. They were hard courses that I knew were hard and I enjoyed the challenge of them. For Linear Algebra, I'll put myself at a 15% maybe, lol. I haaaated working with matrices and doing matrix multiplication by hand. Never again. Calc 3 I probably could have done better but I took it over the summer and it was a 5 week grind of 3 hour classes 5 days a week. It sucked. But I was behind and had to do it. I'll probably put that one at 50% too, but it could have been much higher if it were taken over a longer timeframe.
I mentioned discrete math as my strongest class. Well my senior year of college I had to take a programming class. I realized hey I'm pretty good at this, and looked around the room and everyone else was so lost. It just came so easy for me. Four years after I graduated, I went back to school to study computer science for 2 years, earning a second degree. I needed to take discrete 1 and 2 again (IDK, don't ask me why!) and I crushed both of them. Both were easy A's for me. Then of course computer science is a natural extension of it, so everything in that program was probably 95%+.
Another thing I want to mention is that even if stuff didn't make sense at the time, you might realize looking back on it that the things that confused you then no longer confuse you now. Your brain kinda puts it in the back corner of your mind, but never forgets about it. It works the problem with you unaware, until one day you come across the concept again and realize "hey! This makes sense now!" Happens to me a lot.
yes yes yes for the last bit. this could be taken as yet another asterisk tacked on to IQ tests. they are entirely conscious. the problems you work on for years can be just as hard as the questions that nudge you towards a higher IQ, but you don't study iq tests, and you have time to process these questions subconsciously. However, it is a feat of psychology that a test has been designed to measure conscious processes in a way that is so hard to study for. Yet, anything can be hard to study for given that you go to class and understand a low percentage of what is said.
To me, writing *everything* that is taught in your notes is insanely diligent. I'm imagining either they speak slowly, you miss some or the work of doing that would mean you don't process the contents of the class in real time but rather when you get home and go over your notes.
I didn't study notes but I realised, at least for me, there were real tradeoffs between writing notes and actually being present and comprehending a lecture in real time.
I agree. I think you should write down big concepts in class, and perhaps the things the teacher says is important and then go home and fill in the holes in your knowledge from the book.
And what I mean by the important things is that some college professors, especially in lower level classes, will tell you “a problem like this will be on the test” or they’ll go into a topic more than the book does. So maybe it’s good to read the book before hand (not understand it all but enough so that you can catch where the teacher is putting more emphasis than the book did).
It can also be good to write down examples.
My complex analysis professor gave us her note taking philosophy after half the class bombed the first exam. She said she didn't want to see the tops of our heads when she turned around: write down Theorem statements, the first line of the proof, and the last line, then just pay attention. When you get home, go back and look at the theorems. If you can see how to get from the beginning to the end in your head, great; if you can't, try to work through it; if you have problems, check the textbook; and if you still need help after that, come into office hours. Best advice I ever got.
@@RangersGirlJackie99
Heh. Based
I love you man you're like a father figure.
I had a very similar experience too! I found abstract algebra and algebraic proofs to be my absolute strong suit. On the other hand, topology absolutely kicked me in the ass.
I love your views on this! Coming from a place where things are just imposed on you, listening to this is like a breath of fresh air.
As for me, it also depends on the teacher and a LOT on my anxiety levels which are very high most of the time im working on it in therapy. On a non-anxious day i can understand 80-90 percent of the stuff
On most days I could get 100% of the lectures. But I was always too bored and lazy to do the homework. As the lessons went on and as I started dealing with mental problems, sports, lack of sleep, and my lack of desire to pay attention that number went down to 0 ot 10% maybe after 6 weeks of the same subject. Then when it was time to focus on a new area of the same field of math I'd often catch on faster than almost all of the class. The teacher often put hints towards the next day's lesson in the last 3 or 4 problems of the homework so I fell behind every year. Dispite the near failing grade every quarter I clung onto the advanced math classes for dear life because I knew I could never stand the boredom of something lower level. As soon as I had the credits I needed I stopped taking math.
I agree with the genticd plays a role to an extent I took a test for some help and at the math test I was told geez you are good at matg. I told my dad who retired as a controller for a company said that I inherited that from him. As lf this comment he is still alive. Also i think that it was passed down from my father father if that makes sense.
I don't understand why everyone can't draw. All you have to do is be able to draw a line to draw anything. I have no respect for IQ test. Sorry. I would suggest not taking a IQ test. I don't think there is anything to be gained from it. I also believe after someone has taken a test x amount of times that the person can no longer be tested accurately because the person has memorized what to say and do on the test. I don't like how schools divide children up based on IQ test, aptitude test, or those end of the year tests. They label the kids based on those tests. The y put kids labeled college bound in classes together, and kids they don't think will ever go to college in class together. I also think teachers judge kids based on whether they are labeled college bound or not. I believe teachers make no effort to teach kids that are not labeled college bound.
Great comment!!! Love your statement about drawing too! I cannot draw at all, I have tried and it is SUCH A STRUGGLE!!
@@TheMathSorcerer drawing takes a lot of my patience. It just occurred to me we use a graph in drawing that is sort like graphs one might use in math when they graph y and x coordinates Then we just fill in shapes of the thing we're drawing onto the graph I have been relating a lot of things to math since I've started studying it😆😆😆so now when someone tells me I'll never use math, I try to explain how I use a graph in drawing and the graph is kind of like a graph in math
One of the biggest failures of education is the groupings that you mention. By grouping all the so called 'gifted' kids together in one class, and all the so called 'remedial' in another, you are robbing both groups of valuable experience. The 'remedial' kids lose out on the opportunity to see something they can emulate. The 'gifted' kids lose out on the chance to help deepen their understanding by articulating their understanding of a subject to people who don't understand it as well. We need classrooms to foster a collaborative and supportive experience for all involved, and not use them as a way to categorize children into a predetermined life.
@@SSJ0016 I agree 100 percent
Very insightful. I was someone who understood 100% in high school, got to college, didn't take notes, flunked OUT. Felt like if I didn't understand something the first time, I didn't deserve to learn it, but here I am with a new mindset. It's ok to phase things out sometimes and revisit them later. Time has a domain that stretches to positive infinity as far as we know!
Question: how did you do in high school? Specifically on mathematics, if you could be so kind
Starting out, he was pretty weak.
In other videos, MS talks about his venture into Mathematics.
Constantly doing everything I can to improve in math. Reading math books, AI applications, TH-cam, and tutoring sessions. I have to be persistent to be good at math. Cannot wait until that day.
It’s a never ending process. You can always get better even if your the best in the world.
I am currently at University doing Bsc. I noticed this since high school that if I don't miss any of the lectures I usually understand 90 percent of the stuff. But eventually, I always end up missing a lot of lectures, because of sleep. Making notes during lecture has always felt like a sin lol.
We need Math Sorcerer merch!
What’s the oldest maths book in your collection? (As in date printed)
A Calculus (?) text from 1888 was the oldest book MS has shared.
Buff wizard
Hi I'm bryce and I'm 14 years old, is it okay to learn calculus at such young age?
Go for it!
A typical Calculus text starts wtih a Review Chapter containing Algebra, Analytic Geometry & Trigonometry.
The easy part of Calculus is that it's geometric and visual, so you can draw pictures for the fundamental concepts.
If u have the iq then y not ?
I was always envy of people who could easily comprehend Math. Unfortunately, I am finding myself in the third category, where I can understand almost nothing. Ok, not nothing but the bare minimum. I couldn't understand the necessity and how to apply all these formulas and theories in the practice. I don't know... I have a more artistic nature I guess! I have to notice though that I don't like many people who are good at Math because I think they are like ''cold machines''. They think always in Math, and numbers seem to rule their lives. I hate these people actually because they don't see you like human being but as a 80 kg piece of mass that is breathing 75 liter of air in 67 seconds, or something like that. Numbers, numbers, always numbers. All of their thoughts are revolving around numbers. ps: You seem a nice guy though, so don't take everything I say by grain!!! : p
I think your perception of people who like mathematics is gravely flawed. I love mathematics and I would say I have a talent for it and I am just as artistic and passionate as the average person (that’s a lie actually I’m more artistic and passionate). Look at Einstein… arguably one of the greatest scientists of all time and he played violin like a wizard. He said if he hadn’t been a physicist he would have been a musician. I believe if you are interested in mathematics you are likely to be artistic too. Look at Leonardo da Vinci.
Had to learn statistics really fast for my science degree- i am only good at maths if I can use it to find out something otherwise I just cant 😊 This is more like a councelling session . I remember 80% of the stats i learnt because I use it but some the stuff on circles and triangles from highschool 10% - i only ren some formulaes 😮
I think I might be on the opposite end of the spectrum, All the classes I took in my under graduate computer science course, I understood 95-100% all the time, (maybe because i looked up cs related stuff occasionally cause i was interested in it). However this led to me being overconfident and i never used to study for any of the exams and managed to get passing grades mostly. if i did study a day or 2 before, i would generally get As.
I, however did suffer when trying to learn subjects that weren't related to computer science like signal processing, I think having an interest in the subject makes all the difference. I did hear advice similar to yours from Andrew Huberman. He basically said that it doesnt matter hwo smart or gifted you are if you are not going it use it , it will be a waste, and i guess i learnt it the hard way after failing a a few subjects (though i cleared them later) . But now i work hard and make sure to not to be overconfident in my future studies as I'm planning to pursue a master's and maybe learn the joy of getting straight A's
I've got a very high spatial intelligence that makes math probably a lot easier for me than most people. I can visualize the equations in my mind and work them out without having to write things down. I skipped over algebra 1&2 and went straight to statistics and calculus. I'm pretty dumb in other ways though such as spelling. I've got to work hard on my spelling.
I think, going into a lecture blind I would understand about 60-70%. But what I do Is often read up on the subject before hand so I've already made the conceptual links to understand the subject better leading me to understand about 80-90%
i have experienced something like this, for calculus i understoon something like 90%, but for algebra it was something like 30%
This isn't something I can answer with certainty because I really don't know. I've never thought to measure how quickly I learn in this way. I'm pretty confident that I am able to understand at least half of the material I read(percentage could be, and probably is higher, I don't know). There have been plenty of times where I can fly through an entire section of say an online site like khan academy, or a book and understand everything without issue. But then there are also gray areas where I stop myself to understand a concept really well. I should probably just move on, although that's much easier said than done as the stubborn side of me just won't allow it.
If I had to guess, I would assume I'm about in the same range as you described. Although I don't know for sure, I might be lower, I might be higher(I doubt this though). Good video... :)
Is there a way to increase intelligence ?
Maybe study and learn long enough to get that processes or ways of thinking(?)
Nope
Maybe you took more challenging classes. If I didn't understand 95% every day, I was crazed about it. I had a full minor, so: calculus, adv. calc, diff eq, etc., and my most advanced class was . . . Abstract Algebra.
Heh...I wasn't able to write quickly enough to follow what my lecturers were showing us. I would go back to the text book [Stewart's Calculus - Early Transcendentals] and try to slog through the assigned homework problems while trying to find those parts of the book that fit what was covered in our lectures.
I've always loved science though I struggle with mathematics [with the exception of calculation of medication dosage]
Your that super smart kid in the class ,now you have muscles and im still slow but I'm trying new method ,Like the guitar ,I do some math or take lesson on YT for 20 Min. I'm still slow but I'm actually learning little things I learned guitar I',m gonna learn math the same way I know it works
I think this is solid but also take into account if you have a good teacher. I am an artist. I don't work professionally for reasons but for the longest time as a kid I thought I couldn't paint at all. Every time I had to paint in class or even the one time I went to a painting class as a child I SUCKED HARD. I don't think I have any talent in art besides my creativity. I got really good at art on my own because of how I was thinking about art compared to how it's usually taught to think. It wasn't something whimsical to me, there was a sort of science to it and I figured that science out in my head and as new concepts were explained to me it was extremely easy to de-mystify the concepts in my head when I applied less of an artistic approach but an analytical approach. Once I understood it analytically then i added my own artist spin.
BUT I couldn't understand how people made such clean painting and even when it was a bit more abstract it all felt so intentional. I purposefully gave up on painting until i graduated highschool. I can work in crayon, color pastel oil or chalk, marker. I already knew it was because painting doesn't allow for the same control over the material like most dry media and even markers. The marks are extremely predictable and fixed. With painting it was really demanding me to actually turn on my artist brain first and its a bit magical. Painting really is the mark of an artist imo. It is the proofs of math. Really really test how you are able to break down the world visually and mechanically(chemically in terms of the types of paint you use and depending on how they are made determines how they mix with other types of paints and the spectrum of color that is allowed. This even applies digitally because RGB is not the only digital color specturm you can use.) Pushes every concept of art to the max sometimes in an annoying way. Color theory is literally magic becaus eit makes sense but the more you understand it the more you realize nah it dont make sense this shouldn't make sense.
BUT NOT A SINGLE TEACHER could explain to me how what i see of masters wasn't even simply a learned control it simply was a different mindset and control compared to anything else. A control that requires serious outside of the box thinking or creativity and serious patience and insane mental clairvoyance that I already thought I had a strong grasp on alone. When you get a grasp on all that you can bring in an analytical approach easier once you understand the magic of freedom essentially. I could paint as a kid if I had a lot more patience and didn't treat painting like something else other than painting but no one would teach us the spirit of what painting really is and how it's literally different from any other media in application, thought, methodology everything. To the very basics of LINE it obscures what a line can be visually.
When it comes to new concepts it is integral it is taught that you can get it on the spot or at least get it down the line(ie. when you later on read over your notes compared to understanding things on the fly as you write them down and listen). I say this because getting it and applying the information is two different things imo. If something is taught poorly you don't actually have an accurate understanding of how well you get this subject in terms of if you actually suck at it or you weren't given the right mental framework to get it in the first place.
one thing i think, is people never try to get smarter via foundations, memory and recall practice, logic reason and problem solving practice, cognitive function practice... they always try to get better at learning a subject, never learning in and of itself. this i believe is the key to unlock your true potential... for example intermittent fasting, eat cognitive enhancing minerals, foundational brain training, i would say start there. then when youve mastered your mind, dive into what intrigues you most. y'all should watch the tedx talks on memory and brain training, the statistics will blow your mind how much they improve your learning abilities.
i really cant find out what my talents are, i dont think i have any
edit: i usually understand 50% of the things in my math class currently, unlike earlier in my life where i understood maybe 20%, for example i couldn't get passed my 6 times table in 3rd grade when the rest of my class could, but now in high school i am slightly above average. a little note is that i have ADHD
When I was in elementary, I did well in math because my teacher was strict and wanted to insult us. When I went to high school I did bad because my teacher was encouraging. I guess I just respond differently.
You are such a great human. Please, don't stop what you're doing. You bring me joy,
For me, the problem was not whether I understood what was being said/written, but was whether or not I believed the statements were true. In many classes, I had to carefully re-read notes or find other sources until I could accept the lecture.
This video really hit at the right time! I'm trying to get into building things/learning engineering on my own (I'm a psychology student but want to make things as a hobby), and I get discouraged seeing how easy it is for other people. I'm naturally somewhat impaired in visual-spatial skills and that makes things more difficult for me (hence why I have difficulty with math starting from geometry onward). But I also am very gifted in terms of things like vocabulary and logic (I'm very good with the algebraic side of math), and so that's a big strength academically. I often think I'm not "smart enough" when really I am just bad at some things and good at other things.
I have a hard time understanding when someone only verbally explains something. I'm very hands on and have to jump in to really understand.
IF I took a IQ test I would probably get depressed and just give up on everything haha seriously if take a low rate
I’ve understood sixty to seventy percent of what you’re saying.
After my classes i usually recall almost 90% of the lecture and the concept but after a few days it fades out i forget it
Is that real that people who like maths struggle with languages?
Formal education, for me, is a dim and distant memory. To give a percentage of retention would be pure guesswork. I've stayed interested, though. Through a rollercoaster of a life, I've kept the noodle stimulated.
Same. The last time I took a course was in 2003, before that 2000, before that 1992, and then in 1991 when I graduated high schoold :D
Math sorcerer has learned gravity magic and is lifting weights
I'm dumb as shit.
Thanks for te video ❤
Hold on ser .I Wana ask u question:Should a mathematician be familiar with various sciences such as physics, computer science, etc., or should he focus on only one thing so that he can be creative in it?
I'd say it's good to have a well-rounded base. Creativity requires us to make connections with ideas that can come from anywhere.
my type is very unusual I think . Dyslexia here
I also did understand 6-7% in class :3
i love his talks
he is ripped and smart
brains and brawn
I got like 15% down in class back in hs
Personally, I don't believe anyone is born a "genius". Rather, they are shaped by their experiences, and many fall in love with their crafts earlier than most average people. While typical children were playing in the playground, these kids found that boring and preferred Mathematics, Physics, or other subjects. They got a head start in the marathon by hours, but you can still grab that Gatorade and catch up! Many have done it!
I think the molecular-level and physiological changes that happen day-to-day and over longer time periods are too detailed and complex to be characterized accurately with any justifiable degree of precision. It is internally subjective for an individual, and difficult to impossible for one person to evaluate another. Grades? That's a black hole subject.
Mathematics, as many abstract topics, has too many inter-relations and connections to be amenable to comparison, and what, or who, is the answer key? At what point, or over what period, is considered? Too much abstract esoterica to communicate anything substantive.
Damn... I've been told I'm inferior by a 26yrs-student who are in 1yr-Master's degree of Biochemistry with 130's IQ in average, because mine was 110 in average and I'm on the 2yrs-stage of Computer Science in 4yr-BA in my 31yrs old.
And he said inferiors who are not able to understand sth highly-complexed must follow commands from the superiors.
And he said Japan is the ideal perfect society.
I don't know why I was told like this...
Im probably a 30-40% on a good day. Learning 9-18% on an average day. Around -50% on a bad day (yes I lose memory and intelligence when stuff get a bit too hard. Struggling in physics rn.
Thankyou Sir . Your videos are very helpful
in getting inspired to study Science subjects. Please continue uploading.
Till the age of 14 i used to understand almost 90 % of the subjects in the school class itself.... especially Physics which was my most favourite sub then. Maths n Chemistry were also easy n very interesting.
But after that a great disaster fell upon me... i was victimized to blackmagic n other crookedness of my envious elder brother n his guru . i became ill n was forced to take harmful allopathy medicines which has caused some brain damage.
Nevertheless, by God's grace i continued my education till Post Graduation in Vedantha from Govt University ... where i got second rank in State.
And now iam interested in Spirituality. My life's ambition now is to make Spiritual Progress.. get closer to God... as much as possible in this life.
i hope that such a time would come when Spirituality and the modern Scientists in their pursuit of Truth...will converge together and move forward hand in hand... making this world more peaceful.
🙏
stats I keep seeing pop up are: You recall 25% of what you hear, 50% of what you see, and 75% of what you see and hear. So the 60-70% is close to the 75%, b/c the teacher is both talking and writing on the board, so you can see it.
I have a problem. I'm writing my exams for the Graduation in the spring. This is comparable to A-Level. So at the moment I'm still going to school. In our class, I understand almost all the concepts in class, but the level is not yet as high as real mathematics and different. How do I find out how good I am and can become at math? I know I'm not very good at mental arithmetic, but I like math so much that I read books about it in my free time and I would like to do math.
If I made any mistakes while writing, I'm sorry. I am not a native English speaker.
People don't enjoy what is difficult to them. Subconsciously, when something is difficult there's a natural tendency to want to avoid it. This explains why a lot of people avoid math. They find it difficult and avoid it....The advice is to keep at it to try to understand more and more...it gets easier and therefore more enjoyable. It's getting over that initial uncomfortable part and telling themselves confusion is a good thing....
Man it really depends. On average its about 60-70%. At my best and worst it can range from 30%-100%. When I took intro to logic it was 0% for almost the entire semester but the professor was willing to work with us twice a week after school.
Good point MathSorcerer, but my take on the matter is that understanding is one thing, and applying is another thing. Sure, someone can understand 60-70% of the things in class, but might not good at applying whatever he is taught even if he understood the concepts. Knowledge without correct application is useless IMO. So basically for me, another way someone could measure how smart he is, is by checking or seeing his performance in STEM classes, if he is getting good grades after giving a lot of effort, (getting B and A in classes / even the hardest classes), then that is a good indication that he is smart or has good intellect. If he's putting 100% effort and failing over and over again a class, or barely passing by( getting bottom C or something), then it is an indication perhaps to switch major and see what other field he could excel at. Because at the end of the day, it sucks giving something 100% effort and your all and barely passing the class or classes everytime. So better go with something you're getting great results at after giving significant effort to it :D
I've decided to take advanced mathematics course rather than the shorter one in this year December. Currenly in highschool, and 60-70% also for me. Been still average in math, but working on it.
The further I went up the chain of courses from elementary to advanced (and it was only up to differential equations) the less I understood from just paying attention in class. Once I realized how much I was struggling in DiffEQ, I realized I didn't have the drive to keep going in math/physics and switched to Computer Science. It worked out that was a great decision as I loved programming and have had a great career in software development.
My parents moved around a lot when I was young, so I missed a lot of the fundamental Maths that all the rest is built on. Consequently, I didn't have a clue what was going on in class and used to feel like watching the Maths teacher do a sum on the board was like watching a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Later, at university, I decided to make up for my lack of knowledge in this area, by attending a course for adult beginners. I would say that my comprehension rate of that material was around 70-80% at that time. Low, considering the course was specifically made for people like me. Anyway, I came to appreciate, and even like, a subject that, until then, had only meant torture and failure to me. I remember picking up a book on Geometry by Euclid in a second hand bookshop and sighing with happiness at my find.
I understand everything I write down 100% and also start applying it to problems outside the lesson during writing things down.
My problem is that I run out of energy VERY quickly.
I can understand perfectly and completely, but my mental energy only lets me do about one lesson a day before I have to recharge.
If I do more than one lesson a day I need a days break.
Every gift come with a curse to keep us in line it seems.
Why I don't apply this gift to mathematics all the time is that I see the solutions to much larger problems that humanity is facing.
The problem is, that in order to participate in applying the solutions I know are right, I need to learn the language that is used to apply them, which is mathematics.
And then the energy situation crops up again...
It's like having the library of god in your head, but you can only turn on the lights for a short period of time.
To be honest with you, i feel that i start very good in almost every new field i open up for myself (sorry for the big generalisation there). I understand up to 80% or 90% of the new material.
However, the further we progress goes in any topic, the worse i understand and grasp concepts which are being described. In about half a year (one year max) i understand very very small amount of material. From 5% up to 20% maximum.
I have a very bad memory and i always struggle to find patterns the more complex the subject becomes.
However, if we are speaking about basics at the start, i feel pretty comfortable with it right at the beginning.
A small and easy example i can give is when starting a new game (let's say a board game) not completely based on random, i tend to win a lot. However, the more i play with the same people, the more i lose, ending that i lose almost every time.
I cannot build those assosiations and patterns in my brain as easily as others can. So, i tend to process the information almost at the same capacity as right at the beginning, while others do it faster, better and more efficient, basing their current level on all the information they have already got earlier.
Basically, i show some impressive results at the begginning and often people think i am smart, while at the same time in half a year i am doing lots of heavy memorizing and stressful practicing in order to remain just a bit below avarage at best.
So yeah, not everyone is smart, i am afraid. Unfortunately, i am not the one either.
Im currently taking a topology course. The course two parts: point set topology and algebraic topology. We are still in the point set topology part and i feel like everything have been kind of okay so i would say 85%. But im a bit scared of the algebraic topology part. Also at the same time im taking measure theory. I gotta be honest, 50% - 60% on the recent lectures but 100% on the earlier ones. Any first and second year math course like calc 1,2,3 linear algebra and first abstract algebra i think i can safely say i got 85% to 95%. This of course increases my average but now that i am entering grad school, shit is getting real! I think at the end i will average like you, 60% to 70% (i would be lucky xD).
I remember watching one of your videos years ago on the difference between undergraduate and graduate level math courses. You could not have been more right about the difficulty level. Thank you for that heads up!
I have finished psychology 5 year program. Many psychologists dislike how IQ tests are presented. The common one with pictures and multiplce choice is Raven's matrix and it doesnt show anything. Interestingly, Ravens Matrixes give european/american students way higher scores than in the rest of the world because they are based on our understanding of geometry/math
I think there are many ways to measure something and I feel like consistency matters a lot, I had best results at what I struggled the most at the beginning, because I happened to get support and consistent schedule, whereas in stuff I was good at I was just above peers and didnt have anyone to compete with
Haven't gone into college because, well simply because I'm 18 and at the moment, I'm slouching about until I figure out what I want to do in life. I only have highschool to go off of, but on average I can confidently say I've understood anywhere from 50ish to 60ish% of what was taught. I was also made a habit of sleeping in class and was absent for just shy of half the school year for every grade onward since entering middle school. I managed to get into advanced classes in middle school and had honors in high and few ap classes but those weren't for me. Besides I never and still don't see myself as some secret genius, just figured I got lucky and ended in those classes so that they could be filled, though those around would probably say otherwise.
I have a question for you: I always read a chapter ahead in my maths courses. So, for example, if we're going over Chapter 1.2 in class on Wednesday, I would read, take notes, and probably do all the exercises for that section on Tuesday. I'm guessing this significantly affects your measurement of what percentage of the lecture you understand on a given day?
Thanks.
Any video on the applications of mathematics; e.g. Fourier, laplaCe, matrices?
meanwhile, me understanding 100% in classes that I like and -100% in classes that I dont:
60 to 70% with really fat tails (max in abstract algebra and graph theory, min in stats and probability) is where I'd put my 'cognizance number' (the name I've come up with for your method) for my maths courses. Highly varies for other subjects. It's something like 80-90% for most CS course I took (except networks - I'd say maybe I'd understand 50-60% of the lectures? That's quite a skew). With Chemistry (bless GE) it was like 50% throughout... lol
Btw I do think that if there even is something like 'natural talent' (and not just another lurking variable, such as interest in learning something leading to more experience with it), its impact on what you can learn is minimal. I've got straight As in all my classes, regardless of the cognizance number.
I feel like I understand things fast but have horrible memory so will forget everything if I don't do it on an almost daily basis, like my HardDrive is too small and as to delete everything that is "irrelevant"😂
I really like the fact that you are thinking and talking about things like this: e.g., how to judge Intelligence, mental normalcy, math ability, etc. I was a physics major but took almost enough math classes to be a math major. (Took extra math as an insurance policy for physics). I would say that depending on the lecture, I came close to understanding half to three quarters of the math lectures. (But it varied a lot and I didn't do well in diffy q). But like you, I wrote everything down and was a careful note taker. One thing that occurs to me is that in order to take notes, you can't focus your full attention on the content of the lecture because of the act of writing. (Constantly looking up then down, writing and checking for accuracy.) If a student could hire a professional note taker and focus entirely on the lecture, I think comprehension would be quite a bit higher. Thank you for your thoughts. No question in my mind that IQ is not that accurate in gauging intelligence or future achievement.
THE Steve Van Zandt ?
Nope@@rosiecesareo8092
Theres a sort of emptiness i think i see in this guy's eyes. Maybe its just me, buh , been observing him for quite a while now and its the same observation..