When your mathematician insist on just approaching without actually touching.

Pic unrelated: The topic sounds like hover-hand insecurity? 

No, we're not talking why statistically, people who aspires to be mathematicians tend to be a virgin up until they graduate tertiary education.

We are talking about limit in mathematics.

Limit, the most arcane annoying part of elementary calculus, without which, differentiation have nothing to work upon. You'll hear your lecturer say "it's like you're there, but you're not actually there!". -_-" Can mathematics be anymore strange than that? You haven't seen it all just yet.

So, I'm not gonna repeat what your lecturer said in class. This blog is supposed to just supplement your classes informally.

Anyway, in my lecture, I felt like i was skipping here and there and writing mumbo-jumbo in the white board when demonstrating how to solve limit problems (and I believe there are some if not many lecturers out there that teach like me, especially those who are inexperienced, which, again, like me).

File: Limit Problem Answering Scheme

Here is an attachment that outlines how to properly present your solution to problems that asks "Find limit of f(x) as x approaches a". The writings in red denotes my comment which if you include in your exam answer script will make you look like a douche trying to be a smart ass. Those are just my comments to rationalize why mathematicians insist on students writing a certain way to answer this *cough*idontgiveadamn*cough* problem. Don't blame me.

Comment to self: Surely, I have just made my blog more lame.

This is a blog about math. Why are you even here?

Welcome to this blog.

Pic unrelated: even elves with magic can't make math anymore boring. 

Mathematics, you can't care less about it. You wonder why you have to mull over this oh so boring topic for at least 11 years of study. You wonder if that calculus will help you find wife. You wonder if that algebra will help you be popular. You wonder if that trigonometry will make you one penny richer (unless you're aspiring to become engineer/academician etc). You gonna be a doctor, a business administrator, a superstar etc etc... Why on earth would you care about any of those mathematics (apart from basic arithmetic and algebra)?

Pic unrelated: This is you in your first year degree.

I'm not gonna lie to you. I won't say "Oh, but mathematic is fun because of oh-so-fake-reason. It's so important because <insert phoney purpose here>." I can't force your emotion, I don't know how to lie to your heart. I can only share what I think and what I feel about math. Yet, it's up to you to find your way in finding your love for mathematics (did i just say 'love' with 'mathematics'? ewwwwwwww *barf*). It has to come from you. At times you might have to force your love, but perhaps, at some point of your life, you will find the beauty of mathematics (if there's any to begin with).

Pic unrelated: You sometimes wonder if every math lecturer has this face. 

So as the first rant of this blog I'm going to share you this:


What is mathematics?

Formally, "mathematics is a study of quantity, space, structure and change" (wikipedia). This definition is boring, dull and pedantic. I have my own definition.
Mathematics is a way of thinking. For me, mathematics is about accuracy, consistency and unambiguity. It's cold and ruthless, but at the same time, it's honest and direct. When I understand part of the mathematics that I'm studying, I don't find myself bridled with questions of subjectivity or opinion. It is as it is.

Mathematic is a way of thinking. It is not simply a tool for number crunching. It's a discipline that calls us to really think if our working or solution is really grounded or not. It is a training ground for us to develop our sense of logic. It is a foundation for us to check our reality. Much of our assurance in reality relies on mathematics.

Mathematic is a way of thinking.

What's your definition of mathematics?

Isn't mathematics fun? *fakes smile* meh....

P/S: i will try to make it a habit of posting something on weekly basis. wait... why should I care telling you that?
P/S: don't bother with my engrish. There are enough grammatical errors to kill every grammar nazi on earth. (But if you care, please do inform so that I can improve my engrish.)

Comment to self: I think I just reduced the number of people who are trying to get interested in mathematics. I'm a math cockblock.