How seemingly 'unrelated' concepts can be helpful when solving complex problems [Math Monday]
Notice how similiar this is to programming
Hello my amazing reader,
I hope you’re enjoying the new color scheme on the website. I still haven’t gotten fully used to it, but the bolded text and highlights are much clearer. Also to all my American readers, happy 4th of July!! I hope y’all have some sick plans for America Day.
I know we’ve been covering some pretty heavy subjects recently. I thought I’d make this one relatively fun, just to give y’all a break. For today’s video, I want you to watch the linked video by the fantastic 3Blue1Brown. It is pretty long and mathy, but it is a perfect representation of why Math is beautiful (and often challenging). You will notice a lot of parallels between Math and Software Engineering + problem solving for Coding Interviews. As you watch the following video I want you to notice the following details:
The solution combines ideas from multiple domains- We reach the solution by evaluating our progress and chaining multiple different sub-domains of Math together. Notice that this is exactly what you have to do when you approach problem-solving in Software Engineering (and in your Leetcode-style problems). This is should give you an idea about why some Math training will be crucial in helping you improve.
To move a mountain, pick up rocks- The problem starts off very intimidating. The last point already shows you how many concepts you’d have to be familiar with to even approach the solution. Similar is true for the problem-solving techniques used in the solution. Like your coding interview-style questions, this problem required the combination of multiple individual techniques to finally solve.
Math and Interviews have the same techniques- Another thing to notice is the techniques used are very similar to the ones I share in this newsletter. We use small test cases to find a pattern, develop edge cases, analyze our functions and expected returns, and reduce the problem to previously solved cases. These are all techniques discussed extensively in the newsletter, in the context of coding interview Leetcode-style problems. Working on one will have natural carry over to the other. As long as you follow the plans given for different topics on Math Monday, you will find your problem-solving skills shoot up.
Now get to watching this beautiful video. Grant is pretty good at only focusing on the most important math details so you won’t feel lost as long as you take your time to get through each step. For more traditional Math Monday posts, check out this post on functions, or this one of our amazing Graph Spotting framework
Before proceeding, if you have enjoyed this post so far, please make sure you like it (the little heart button in the email/post). I also have a special request for you.
***Special Request***
This newsletter has received a lot of love. If you haven’t already, I would really appreciate it if you could take 5 seconds to let Substack know that they should feature this publication on their pages. This will allow more people to see the newsletter.
There is a simple form in Substack that you can fill up for it. Here it is. Thank you.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScs-yyToUvWUXIUuIfxz17dmZfzpNp5g7Gw7JUgzbFEhSxsvw/viewform
To get your Substack URL, follow the following steps-
Open - https://substack.com/
If you haven’t already, log in with your email.
In the top right corner, you will see your icon. Click on it. You will see the drop-down. Click on your name/profile. That will show you the link.
You will be redirected to your URL. Please put that in to the survey. Appreciate your help.
In the comments below, share what topic you want to focus on. I’d be interested in learning and will cover them. To learn more about the newsletter, check our detailed About Page + FAQs
If you liked this post, make sure you fill out this survey. It’s anonymous and will take 2 minutes of your time. It will help me understand you better, allowing for better content.
https://forms.gle/XfTXSjnC8W2wR9qT9
I see you living the dream.
Go kill all and Stay Woke,
Devansh <3
To make sure you get the most out of Math Mondays, make sure you’re checking in the rest of the days as well. Leverage all the techniques I have discovered through my successful tutoring to easily succeed in your interviews and save your time and energy by joining the premium subscribers down below. Get a discount (for a whole year) using the button below
Reach out to me on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iseethings404/
Message me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Machine01776819
My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devansh-devansh-516004168/
My content:
Read my articles: https://rb.gy/zn1aiu
My YouTube: https://rb.gy/88iwdd
Get a free stock on Robinhood. No risk to you, so not using the link is losing free money: https://join.robinhood.com/fnud75