One Man's Mission to Unveil Math's Beauty

"Students haven't been taught that math is discovery," says Richard Rusczyk, founder of Art of Problem Solving. "Math is a creative discipline—you're creating castles in the sky." Rusczyk has a vision for bringing “joyous, beautiful math” — and problem-solving — to classrooms everywhere.

[theeviljames]

Absoutely agree that pre-uni maths, at least when I was educated, lacked all of the fascination of "real" maths. A pair of comp-sci lectures, proving Dijkstra's algorithm, really opened my eyes; I started teaching myself the parts not covered in my degree soon after.

Thanks, David Weir (Sussex Uni)

[kam]

I love this, especially the focus on coming back and trying again when you get something wrong. I believe that one of the most important traits we can encourage for success in a discipline like science, maths, engineering, philosophy, etc. is perseverance. So often, the stories behind some of the most incredible discoveries in history are stories of 'almost defeat' – had they given up, a golden nugget of knowledge would not have been uncovered.

[ZyroZoro]

I was in the math club in high school, and we had a copy of the original "Art of Problem Solving" book, and I absolutely loved it. It's my one of my most favorite books of all time. It goes through, step-by-step, how and why something is true instead of blindly showing you formulas and algorithms to memorize.

[stevenjames]

I almost failed geometry in 9th grade. Now I'm majoring in math!

[NaSquirrel]

almost had it when he said uncomfortable is learning. actually had a dear friend and tutor for my son teach me something profound, at least to me it has been.
You can't learn without failing. it's the only thing that is required and universal. Today we are taught failure is horrible when actually it's quite the opposite. giving up is horrible. Which is what we do so we don't fail again.

[themore-you-know]

A whole class in early high school should be focused on just:
- exploring what can be done with math. No formula nor exam. Just pure exploration, supported with "what types of math could be/were used to achieve X".

[joseville]

This is such a powerful lesson! Being uncomfortable is where learning happens and struggling is fine.

As someone who used to derive most of my value from being intelligent, it was really uncomfortable when I struggled with an intellectual exercise to. I would feel frustrated and bad about myself. Changing that mindset to a mindset that it's ok to struggle was such a relieve!

[guybonberry]

I feel so old, over the hill watching this. Mathematics always stressed me, I hated failing and others found Mathematics so easy. I understand very little. I still feel I'd always fail. However, my curiosity in memory is pointing me so directly to potential solutions. Recent discoveries in maths and physics I speculate hold key positions on how we can unravel how the brain truly works . I want to be able to understand how a memory is stored etc in order to treat trauma. Mathematics is truly beautiful and I know so little of its marvels. Encouragement like this video shows is vital for those that come after us.

[alexanderfreeman]

My goodness! When I listen to Richard Rusczyk, it's as if I'm hearing my own thoughts out loud! I had this exact same revelation about math soon after graduating from college!

[madi]

This is so true, math is a tool for the advanced Problem solving. A tool that is so elegant and beautiful that when applied properly can blow other people's mind away

[danielwang]

As a recent high school graduate, and now a freshman in college, I can strongly agree with this video. It took me a long time until I really appreciated the beauty of science and math, but I found so many of my peers unenthusiastic about such subjects. Great work, I know this will positively impact the lives of many students.

[rude_prover]

It feels so wonderful to know that Richard, like many others great visionaries, were not a Math Prodigy but he made his way through all the hurdles he faced and imo, so far the teachers i have seen on YouTube he is the an unparalled Maths teacher when it comes to teach students the "Art of problem solving" ! Really a delight to see Quanta interviewing him.

[hullinstruments]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for leaving the last 20 seconds or so of the video blank and quiet. I find that a lot of very impactful pieces like this... Always end with an add read or call to action.

Which totally ruins the thought process.
I have no doubt you could have gained subscribers and more attention if you had a call to action at the end of this video. So I really do appreciate that conscious effort.

[hullinstruments]

The most important thing is learning how to figure out what questions to ask.

Learning how to solve a problem is so much more important than the solution. All of my friends who went to really expensive private schools... That's what they learned there. Sometimes a problem is so newer complex you don't even know what questions to ask to begin the process. Teaching people to teach themselves. And that big first step is learning that it's a process... And what steps to take in what order.

And super complex stuff... We might not even know what questions to ask. But if you recognize that then you have a starting point and the rest is history. The journey truly is 95% of the satisfaction. And once you reach a goal and answer... You'll just want to do it all over again. It gives people something to hold onto, helps them figure out how to solve issues... And in such a difficult world that is priceless. Truly the best gift

[christsciple]

This is so simply and yet brilliant! I was homeschooled my whole life until I went off to college. My parents didn't believe it was important to have an education beyond the 8th grade. I knew better and did everything I could to teach myself. After I failed my first two whole years of engineering school I realized I was well behind everyone not because I was dumb, but because I was missing the proper prerequisites i.e. high school.
I had to learn how to learn - how to take notes, how to read a text book, how to think logically through problems and it was incredibly difficult to do.
Later, I found it frustrating to do something just to do it, as opposed to understanding why we solve a problem the way we do. That is where the real fulfillment for me comes from.

After I "learned how to learn" I fell in love with it. Ended up spending 10 years in college learning everything I could regardless of whether I was interested in the subject or not. Spread across three different universities I obtained multiple degrees, advanced through every undergrad math, physics, and statistics courses offered, as well as a handful of graduate level courses.

Throughout the process I learned so much more about people and life beyond the classroom. We all want to learn but many of us don't have the opportunity or that opportunity is crushed because of a bad teacher; sometimes it's one bad experience that ends up ruining the entire adventure.

Richard here, has really tapped into something - teaching problem solving i.e. how to think and approach problems. Using visual cues and I'm sure other methods, those students will have tools they can use in life, not just in the classroom.

In my mid thirties, and still obsessed with learning, specifically areas of math. The critical thinking skills I learned from some truly wonderful professors and other folks has helped me in so many ways.

Great work Richard!

[crackyflipside]

When I started thinking of mathematics as developing methods for solving abstract number puzzles, and how the classic learning process of geometry provides a spark into how these abstract puzzle solving methods apply to other situations, I learned to appreciate how developing a mathematical mindset can improve your approach to problem solving in the rest of your life.

[emarekica]

World needs more of this man's mentality.

[dontwannabefound]

Richard helped me so much when I was young - my only regret is I wasn't competent enough to take what he was giving so freely. All the best to your efforts Richard.

[VSN]

AOPS is literally my favourite math website! And EVERYTHING that he said resonates with me!

[DiwasTimilsina]

We need more people like him. I had the same exact realization when I got to college. Thank you for all the work you are doing!