Re:How I use Anki to learn mathematics
by OJFord on Monday December 12, 2016 @02:15PM
(#13160898)
There are some things we must remember, of course. A child has no choice but to memorise the digits. Axioms, essentially.
When it comes to addition however, any attempt to learn addition by tabulation and memory would clearly be futile.
I certainly don't mean to suggest that one should study a theorem in a particular corner of mathematics from fundamentals up; rather understand it "one level down", to something previously interned in a similar manner (and since forgotten because one no longer had need of it) or to somemething axiomatic.
For example, say I come across an equation for the area of a right triangle for the first time. I've previously understood and accepted some other problem that I can reduce it to - area of a rectangle, say, or integration - so I can do so and actually understand why, and be able to reproduce it. Easier to learn, recall, and apply than rote memorisation in my opinion.
When it comes to addition however, any attempt to learn addition by tabulation and memory would clearly be futile.
I certainly don't mean to suggest that one should study a theorem in a particular corner of mathematics from fundamentals up; rather understand it "one level down", to something previously interned in a similar manner (and since forgotten because one no longer had need of it) or to somemething axiomatic.
For example, say I come across an equation for the area of a right triangle for the first time. I've previously understood and accepted some other problem that I can reduce it to - area of a rectangle, say, or integration - so I can do so and actually understand why, and be able to reproduce it. Easier to learn, recall, and apply than rote memorisation in my opinion.