How do I learn Mathematics?

Your success in mathematics is largely determined by your inspiration for studying it. If your motivation is only to pass an exam or get good grades then it will always remain “cold” and “pointless” for you. The transformation of Maryam Mirzakhani, from a student who never enjoyed maths to the first woman to be awarded the highest honor in mathematics-The fields medal, shows that it takes only a moment of flowing inspiration and enchanting motivation to be smitten by the beauty and love of maths. Once you are inspired by the possibilities in mathematics, your desire, commitment, internal conviction and belief in your ability to succeed are automatically aligned to meet your goals. And then math becomes as effortless and as enjoyable as an amazing movie or a delectable meal. Once you figure out your inspiration for studying, the next step is to learn to live with mathematics. William Paul Thurston often said, “Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations or algorithms; it is about clarity and understanding”. Once you learn to live with the subject, the concepts and problems stay with you beyond the confinement of a classroom or a textbook and you can experience mathematics happening around you at all times. I have had more breakthroughs through contemplation than reading a textbook and I have solved far more problems while riding a bike than sitting in a classroom. Accumulating knowledge or gathering information in a classroom isn’t learning. As Krishnamurthy said, “Learning happens from moment to moment; it is living, moving; it has no beginning and no end.” And when you learn to live with mathematics, you are often rewarded by many things, including the beauty of an ingenious solution or a better understanding of the constraints when no solution can be found. Albert Einstein once remarked, “Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater”. The journey through the freedom and abstraction of mathematics is full of challenges and to begin with, another critical value to have is perseverance. It took John Napier almost 20 years to work out his log table so that multiplication becomes easy for everyone else. Don’t look for ready made solutions, and shortcut methods; Stay with a problem long enough and the solution will reveal itself to you in full glory. As Maryam rightly said, “The beauty of mathematics, only shows itself to more patient followers.” Euler immersed in his mathematical research when told his wife is taking her last breath, said: “Ask her to wait I am almost done.” Inspiration, living with the subject and perseverance will not make the destination closer but they will certainly make the journey more enjoyable and rewarding, as they did for the king of mathematics himself.