Hacker News Reader

Comment by TYPE_FASTER | Hacker News Reader

I was lucky to have a high school math teacher who derived calculus with us. Understanding calculus made understanding physics so much easier. Being able to solve some physics problems using calculus seemed like magic.

Of course, I've never had to use any of that knowledge since, but I'm glad I went through the process to acquire it.

View on HN

I was lucky enough to have several teachers that were able to undo a lot of the damage bad math teachers imposed on me (on a lag) and continue on from Calculus to the foundations of mathematical systems (Abstract Algebra).

I've also used that knowledge quite a lot since, both in reasoning about problems and its also been beneficial in the confidence of accuracy in the methods of problem solving.

Bad malicious teachers nearly tortured math out of me. Without a substitute teacher who retired due to malicious politicking of his pears; but who had a phd in Mathematics Education, and was able to narrow in on exactly what I was taught that was incorrect (3 classes prior to the one being taken); and the patience and technique he used to destructively correct the false teachings while alleviating the operant conditioned anxiety; I wouldn't be where I am today.

There's quite a lot of malevolence in the world based in blindness, fortunately there are also some good souls out there helping elevate others.

I think its nuts anyone even bothers to teach physics without calculus.

I'd rather they be exposed to physics without calculus than never be exposed to it at all.

Calculus is an elective course in most schools.

Calculus should be taught to 10 year olds and it should be mandatory. I can't believe how much people in US are afraid of math.

Exactly. There’s nothing about the basics that can’t be grasped early. Sure you won’t be solving weird indefinite integrals or differential equations, but the concepts should be delivered early.

With sites like Math Academy, anyone who can afford the monthly fee will be able to learn not just calculus, but linear algebra and discrete math and probability as well at whatever age they want so long as they're willing to put in the work.

I'm extremely optimistic about the future of mathematical literacy beyond the requirements for high school graduation.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com