Explanations for everyone.
I want to share hard-won “a ha!” moments in clear and simple language. Even math shortcuts can be fun, I promise.
Math & Numbers
- Intro: Mental math shortcuts, adding 1-100, how to learn math, understanding averages
- Numbers: number systems, visual arithmetic, different bases, Prime numbers
- Statistics: Combinations & permutations, Birthday Paradox, Bayes’ Theorem,
- Geometry: Pythagorean uses, Pythagorean distance, degrees vs radians
- Exponents & Logs: Intuitive exponents, natural log
- Complex numbers: visual introduction, intuitive arithmetic
- Calculus: a gentle introduction, discovering pi
- Vector Calculus: Gradient, Flux, Divergence, Curl & Circulation
Programming & Web Development
- Site tweaks: Faster Javascript load time (examples), HTTP caching, gzip compression
- Ruby on Rails: Starting Ruby on Rails, Understanding MVC
- Tools: version control, distributed VCS
- Web Development: Debugging with Firefox, Javascript Reference, load XML/JSON data, gmail XSRF attack, GUIDs, making bookmarklets
- Low-level Programming: binary files, byte order, unicode, XOR variable swap, Fast 1/sqrt, gdb debugging, symbol tables
Business, Writing & Communication
- Writing: wordpress tips, how to blog
- Business: Rule of 72, pareto principle, marketing lessons, stock market, accounting 101, interest rates
- Thoughts: know thyself, simplicity vs. complexity, japanese innovation, notes on happiness
Recent Articles (See all)
Why Do We Need Limits and Infinitesimals?
So many math courses jump into limits, infinitesimals and Very Small Numbers ™ without any context. But why do we care?
Math helps us model the world. We can break a complex idea (a wiggly curve) into simpler parts (rectangles):
