Learning Math – It’s Never Too Late

When I was in my thirties, I still couldn’t do long division. But I was a professional magician, overseas, doing corporate shows in a foreign language, and I was successful at it. So I was not exactly stupid (well, depending on who you asked…)

While reading a magic book from a local public library, I found a trick about math. It seemed simple enough, so after practicing and rehearsing it, I tried it out in a show.

BOOM! It was a huge hit. People came up to me afterwards and said things like,
“You must be a genius,” “We loved your magic, but how on earth did you do that math ?”

That flabbergasted me. I hadn’t realized how much “juice” you could get out of math. So, deep into my thirties, finally convinced that I could learn this stuff, I decided to learn more.

Now I have this blog, which is devoted to all people who are fed up with the baloney that schools feed you about how you need to learn on their schedule, because they need to “cover material.”

When the material is more important than the students, there’s a bad disconnect with reality.

I couldn’t do long division when I was in my thirties. Since then, I’ve managed to learn and do it mentally faster than most students can do it with paper.

You can definitely learn until you decide that you can’t. Don’t let anyone else decide that for you.

If you are “beyond school age” (which of course, you never are, because of adult ed. and more and more colleges accepting adult students) you may be in luck. You can learn math at your own pace, and from better sources than most schools offer.

Some of the greatest mathematicians of our day, and the past, have written books for self-learners. Here is a partial list:

“The Realm of Numbers“, by Isaac Asimov – A half-century after it was written, this is still one of the most readable and clear introductions to math, what it means, and how to learn it that ever was written. It is out of print, but you can get it on inter-library loan, and you can still find used copies.

“Mathematics for the Million“, by Lancelot Hogben – Ditto, but more advanced, and it’s still in print. It’s in most good bookstores in paperback.

“Playing with Infinity“, by Rozsa Peter – Ms. Peter takes you on a clear journey through numbers math. She is an excellent guide

All of these books were written over 50 years ago, during the first boom in American “self-help” book genre. Hogben’s book was one of the books that started the craze. They were written clearly, and without talking down to you. They still rock!

I mentioned libraries. I’ve said this dozens of times on this blog and elsewhere:

Libraries may be the most important buildings in any community, and librarians are the wonderful and mostly under-utilized guardians and sharers of knowledge.

Support your public and school libraries, and get acquainted with staff. It may be the most valuable educational connection you ever make.

And, as Tom Robbins said, in Still Life with Woodpecker (1980):

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.”

’nuff said!

Professor Homunculus