How to Make it Through Calculus (Neil deGrasse Tyson)

Neil deGrasse Tyson talks about his personal struggles taking calculus and what it took for him to ultimately become successful at it.

[AA-yejd]

I remember when I did Calculus, the fog slowly started becoming radioactive fallout

[igornowicki]

"Too many people think that they have to be instantaneously understand something to be good at something."

[AR-fhqu]

The beauty of math is not that only smart people can do it, but that everyone can do it. Especially calculus, it will teach you the concept "Consistency is perfection"

[dperignyjr]

I think one of the biggest problems for kids learning and understanding any kind of mathematics is that nobody ever puts it into context. A fair example is trigonometry, to me, was completely incomprehensible until I went to welding school and actually applied it to something useful. Give kids context to whatever type of math and I believe they can run with it.

[abdulteen]

"Half the greek alphabet is in there" calculus summed up 😂😂😂

[karimselemani]

"But I need to know this because the universe speaks this language".

[someinconsequentialusernam]

I got a D my first semester in college Calc I, and I think the prof was being generous. I couldn’t move on to the next level until I got at least a C, so I had to take it a second time. Somewhere in between, I found Eli Pine’s “How to Enjoy Calculus.” He laid it out so simply that it was like, “Is that all it is? Why couldn’t my professor explain it like this? Geez!” The next time I took it, I got an A. And even now, 30+ years later, it still seems pretty straightforward to me: derivatives are slope finding; integrals are area finding. I don’t remember all of the conversions, but it wouldn’t scare me to try to solve a problem.

[Madam]

I failed trig and college algebra. I thought my dream of being an engineer was over since everyone in my degree was already so ahead. I applied myself and now I’m club president of the math club and never gotten anything lower than a A in any of my calculus classes . Nothing is truly hard just practice practice until it’s perfect.

[NeutronRob]

Calculus was like doing an intense workout and realizing how out of shape I was, but didn't realize it. It exposed my weaknesses in Algebra and Trigonometry, which I passed with good grades, but didn't really try hard to master those subjects. Calculus made me realize how out of shape I was with respect to those areas.

[mannymm]

Calculus best friend: Symbolab, Photomath, derivative calculator, integral calculator, Desmos, and the obvious Professor Leonard. When in doubt, check if professor Leonard went over it.

[guerrillaj]

"But I need to know this because the universe is speaking this language" thats probably the best motivation to push through day in and day out

[jennifers]

I'm taking my first calculus final right now. He was spot on when going from algebra to calculus was a huge jump. I'm in college, not high school. We have to learn the courses in 10 weeks. Not an entire high school year which makes it feel even more impossible. I've taken algebra, trig AND calculus in less than a year and my brain hurts.

[Sjb]

Can’t do calculus but I just love it. So I am starting all over from rock bottom in maths, like -2 + -3 sort of thing to get to a doctorate. I just can’t wait to get to that bit about ‘limits’ and f(x) cos that’s the door to my ambition. Thank you Neil you are an inspiration. And I am 75 yrs old so I had better get a move on.

[HarryJohnson]

Don’t feel bad guys if you’re bad at math. I’m a math major and got a C the first time I took calc 1. Retook it and got a B+. I just finished this semester with a B in linear algebra and a B+ in differential equations (I’ve never been an A student), just keep working hard and you’ll get through just fine guys.

[austencoogan]

Just finished my Calculus 3 final today. Proud to have finally made it here. Neil makes a good point; looking back, what got me through these three classes wasn’t any math skills. It was simply the time I spent studying. Sure, people who are naturally good at math will learn calculus quicker. And yes, having a good professor does helps. But no matter how smart you are, or how good your professor is, it still takes time. At the end of the day, time spent studying is what brings you success.

I now believe anyone can learn Calculus. You just have to be willing to put in the time. Trust me, I’m no math expert. If I can learn it, you can too 💪

[smokestrong]

I just took my first calculus test and before I was like I'm never going to pass this test and got a 94. Now I'm on the next chapter and I feel the same exact way. The pace is what kills me.

[cloudyOso]

Needed this after failing calculus 1 and intro to physics. Getting my associates in computer science..

[danc]

The calculus part of calculus isn't the hard part, its the algebra. I say this because I just took it after being out of college for 8 years and managed to pull an A grade. I understood the framework of how to find derivitives and integrals. I understood how to rebuild equations to meet my needs. Yeah the notations can look confusing at first but what they represent is trivial crap you've seen before. What fucked me the hardest were the little algabraic tricks you learn in high school. Brush up on algebra and you will get through it fine.

[WellToastedBagel]

Framing Calculus in such a mythological/representational context is kind of what I have needed, man. I've been on the fence about taking the first steps to becoming an engineer for quite some time now, and knowing Tyson was in a similar scenario for his field of science is quite inspiring. So again, ty for pulling this outa the guy man. His willingness to put in the work and the lack of fear to be a failure is probably the most inspiring and practical part of what he said. Hope I'll be on the same path soon enough

[krissullivan]

Very great words. I'm in calculus 1 right now. Came back to school in the fall of 2021 after losing everything in the pandemic and 25 years removed from the classroom. It's hard, but doable, just as he says. It really boils down to how bad you want it. I'm older and more mature, so I have an advantage in that regard. Very best of wishes to anyone currently studying in college or high school and feeling discouraged. It can be a very difficult process, but you can get through it!!