Any INFJs that are good at maths?

John K said:
You bet!

Did you ever come across the paradox I posted a couple of years ago? It's quite a familiar one in maths circles but looks really weird the first time you come across it.

https://www.infjs.com/threads/write-what-you-think-part-9.34750/page-142#post-1122531
Click to expand...

Let x = a
then x+x = x+a
i.e. 2x = x+a
so 2x-a = x
i.e. 2x-a-a = x-a
2x-2a = x-a
or 2(x-a) = (x-a)
Divide both sides by (x-a) -
ie 2(x-a)/(x-a) = (x-a)/(x-a)

Cancelling top and bottom .......
So 2 = 1

It is very, very, very, very wrong to divide by zero!
 
A lot of the issues with Math stem from some instability in the foundational understanding, which carries over as the difficulty is increased. I noticed this often in teaching students. If they had no concept of the idea of base 10, then they couldn't comprehend multiplication as repeated addition and borrowing in place value. So, the gaps in their foundation only served to further complicate their understanding. There are rules, but once you know them, then there is a correct answer. Numbers are nice that way. I think it feels daunting to some because maybe they aren't aware of where those gaps are in their foundational understanding. Once, you get past that, into trigonometry and calculus, it is similar. You must know one component before moving to the next, or you will lack a fundamental understanding and will struggle until you work to fill in those gaps.
 
I used to be really good in school times. Many other subjects, like geography and history I studied only enough to reach the points, to be approved.
First year in high school I literally got maximum score in all maths related subjects. Today I really don't know if I could do the same.
Being good in math involve constant practice.
 
o2b said:
It is very, very, very, very wrong to divide by zero!
Click to expand...
There is a whole branch of mathematics devoted to just this. You get "relative infinities" which can give you real values. On the other hand, if you ever tried to work out a Bessel function by hand, your brain would squirt out like a zit.

Well, mine did. I'm still looking for it.
 
Quarkmaster said:
There is a whole branch of mathematics devoted to just this. You get "relative infinities" which can give you real values. On the other hand, if you ever tried to work out a Bessel function by hand, your brain would squirt out like a zit.

Well, mine did. I'm still looking for it.
Click to expand...
To be honest it isn’t much fun working out ordinary trig functions by hand either.

Strange isn’t it that the great power of most physics maths is based on nearly, but not quite dividing by zero. It’s like the Hitchhikers Guide way of learning to fly - by throwing yourself at the ground and missing lol. There’s something weird about calculus.
 
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