Notes on Spaced Repetition and Mathematics
Short Reflections On Michael Nielsen's essay
These are the notes/stuff I learned on Michael A. Nielsen's 2019 essay titled "Using spaced repetition systems to see through a piece of mathematics". [1]
To see through a piece of mathematics, you must dissect it and familiarise yourself with its individual parts. You must tear it apart and analyse as if you were trying to solve a literal puzzle.
Construct questions, and answer them, from different perspectives and leave pieces blank in questions. The more variation (redundancy) you have, the clearer the proof/theorem/piece of mathematics will be.
Put effort in both specialized and generalised statements. It may be very time-intensive but it is worth it, for it will make you a bit sure about that concept. Things will seem very clear and thorough.
This can be done in Anki to improve the cognitive process and remember the individual & broader concepts for a longer duration. Use Cloze Deletions, Reverses, etc. (cf. 20 Rules of Formulating Knowledge)
There will be a time when the answers will become a part of yourself that then you'll recognise the "truth" of that particular piece of mathematics.
Summary
- Redundancy
- Looking from Different Angles
- Anki and Spaced Repetition
- Truth.
Works Cited
- Michael A. Nielsen, “Using spaced repetition systems to see through a piece of mathematics” http://cognitivemedium.com/srs-mathematics, 2019.
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