Principles from Terence Tao, the prodigious mathematician
The Power of Numbers in Problem Solving
Estimated reading time (5 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
On Principles Friday, I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
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Principle of the Week
"There is a certain way in which mathematicians approach problems. We abstract them. We break them up into pieces. We make analogies. We try to find connections with other seemingly unrelated problems."— Terence Tao
Terence Tao isn't afraid of a challenge. He tackles the most mind-boggling equations mathematicians have thrown at him, emerging victorious. This has led to breakthroughs in mathematics, impacting fields as diverse as medicine. His expertise in number theory and quantum mechanics has cemented his status as a mathematical giant. But Tao's passion goes beyond personal accolades. He wants everyone to see the beauty and relevance of mathematics in our world.
Born in Adelaide, Australia, Tao's early love for math was nurtured by his mother, a high school math teacher. Stories abound of a two-year-old Tao attempting to teach older kids how to count. By seven, he was grappling with calculus. This prodigy has gone on to publish over a dozen books and countless research papers.
While his work on prime numbers is legendary among mathematicians, Tao's contributions extend far beyond theoretical puzzles. In the late 2000s, his collaboration with a statistician led to breakthroughs in image creation. This translates to shorter MRI scans and advancements in other data-driven fields.
Terence Tao started college-level math at the ripe old age of NINE. Yikes! Here's what he's learned since then, all translated into non-math speak:
#1 Forget About Being Famous, Just Do the Work
You never know how your ideas might impact the world. They could change things today, or maybe someone will be using them centuries later. The point is, don't get hung up on being a legend. Just dive in and start working on what interests you. That's the real win.
#2 Getting Stuck is Actually a Good Sign
Ever feel like your brain is fried trying to solve a problem? Terence says that's a good thing! It means you're pushing yourself to the limit. Remember, even tiny progress is still progress. Celebrate those small victories!
#3 It's Okay to Say "Uncle"
Sometimes you gotta know when to walk away. If you're obsessing over one problem while others pile up, it's okay to admit defeat. Terence says letting go is an important skill. We can't solve everything, and that's alright. Breathe, step back, and maybe come back to it later with fresh eyes.
#4 Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Math might seem like a solo act, but Terence says working with others is key. The best teams have a mix of people: optimists who overflow with ideas and realists who can spot the bad ones. Don't worry about splitting things perfectly evenly. Just play to everyone's strengths and watch the magic happen.
#5 Sharing is Caring
Solving problems with friends is way more fun than going it alone. Terence says being part of a team makes the whole process more enjoyable, not just because you get different perspectives, but because hey, misery loves company, right? (Except in this case, it's the opposite!)
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Question to Ponder
In your daily life or business challenges, how often do you take a step back to abstract the problem? Can you break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces? Are there past experiences or analogies that might shed light on the current situation? Could there be seemingly unrelated areas that hold the key to a solution?
Call to Action
Feeling overwhelmed by a life challenge? Terence Tao, a mathematical mastermind, offers a framework you can use to tackle any problem, not just equations! Let's break down his 8-step approach:
1. Pick Your Battles Wisely: Don't waste energy on problems that aren't interesting or just outside your comfort zone. Look for challenges that push you to learn and grow. Terence actively seeks problems that are "just barely outside the range of all his tools." He's not interested in problems that are too easy or too difficult, but rather those that challenge him to learn new techniques and push the boundaries of his knowledge.
2. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify: Strip away unnecessary details. What's the core issue you're facing? Focus on the essentials to avoid getting bogged down. When working on complex equations, Terence uses abstraction to represent key components with simple mathematical objects like numbers or shapes. This helps him isolate the core problem and identify the most important factors at play.
3. Find Your Analogy: Think of situations similar to your problem. How were they solved? Can you borrow strategies from other areas of your life? Terence compared the process of polling public opinion to testing ocean water for salt content. Both involve collecting data from multiple points to understand a larger whole. This analogy helped him develop new statistical techniques for analyzing public opinion polls.
4. Get Passionate: Invest yourself in the process. Frame the problem as a puzzle to solve or a challenge to overcome. This keeps you motivated when things get tough. Terence encourages thinking of problem-solving as a "search for clues" or a "battle against a wily enemy." This approach injects excitement and a sense of purpose into the process, making him more likely to persevere through difficulties.
5. Question Everything: Don't blindly follow the status quo. Challenge assumptions and explore alternative solutions. Even if you're wrong, you might spark new ideas. As a young student, Terence refused to use the quadratic formula recommended by his teacher to solve an equation. He spent an hour trying his own approach before resorting to the established method. This questioning spirit has allowed him to develop innovative approaches to solving complex mathematical problems.
6. Patience is Key: Cracking tough problems takes time. Don't expect instant results. Like a walnut, sometimes problems soften over time, making solutions clearer. Terence compares tackling a difficult problem to opening a walnut. It requires patience and a slow, methodical approach. He emphasizes the importance of quiet, persistent work rather than brute force to achieve breakthroughs.
7. Progress, Not Perfection: Celebrate small wins! Every step forward is valuable. Solving a problem is a journey, not a destination. Terence emphasizes that progress, not perfection, is the goal. He acknowledges that not every problem will be solved completely, but even small advancements contribute to the larger body of knowledge. Celebrate your milestones and keep pushing forward.
8. Eureka Moments are Rare: Big breakthroughs often come after long periods of quiet work. Trust that the pieces are falling into place, even if you don't see it yet. Terence highlights that the "Aha!" moments we associate with breakthroughs are usually preceded by long periods of unseen progress. He encourages trust in the process and the knowledge that solutions will emerge when the groundwork has been laid.
Video of the Week
Terence Tao is the greatest mathematician alive today!!!
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Introducing All in One Euro 2024 Predictor Game.
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