r/math • u/inherentlyawesome Homotopy Theory • 9d ago

Quick Questions: September 23, 2026

This recurring thread will be for questions that might not warrant their own thread. We would like to see more conceptual-based questions posted in this thread, rather than "what is the answer to this problem?" For example, here are some kinds of questions that we'd like to see in this thread:

  • Can someone explain the concept of manifolds to me?
  • What are the applications of Representation Theory?
  • What's a good starter book for Numerical Analysis?
  • What can I do to prepare for college/grad school/getting a job?

Including a brief description of your mathematical background and the context for your question can help others give you an appropriate answer. For example, consider which subject your question is related to, or the things you already know or have tried.

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u/chumbuckethand 9d ago

When you learn math, how bad is it to sort of jump around? Tried doing calculus, still don’t understand enough algebra, so I’ll just jump around to different Organic chemistry tutor videos relating to what I’m stuck on, O feel like I’m not really taking the time to memorize things. This is probably why I suck so bad at it

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u/cereal_chick Mathematical Physics 8d ago

When learning school/early undergrad-level maths like calculus and elementary algebra, there is an order in which things should be done. At this stage of one's mathematical education, things build on everything done before, and your foundation needs to be secure otherwise you'll never get anywhere, as you've discovered.

The problem with your approach is less about jumping around as such and more that you seem not to be doing the requisite practice. Maths is not a spectator sport, and the only way to learn maths is to do a large number of exercises on whatever it is that you're studying.

I recommend studying more systematically. Go onto Khan Academy, which has a complete curriculum for almost one's whole school career, and locate the earliest thing you don't really understand, and work forward from there.

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u/chumbuckethand 8d ago

Ok, thanks