by Clarissa Chua
I haven’t read a book for almost three weeks now. That is unless you count my Calculus book by Ron Larson and Bruce Edwards… Okay, maybe I’ll count that as one and that is why we’re here!
And while this might just be one of the nerdiest posts, if not the most, you’ll ever read here, don’t let this intimidate you. Because I’m delighted to report that we’re not going to take about lessons on numbers here, but lessons practical to our everyday lives.
1. Sometimes, explanations are not enough. You just have to show it.
For a book about numbers, this book has a lot of wordy explanations on solving problems. But really, the only way its readers—or students—will learn is by showing them examples. Show them, don’t just tell them, amirite?
2. You have to learn the hard way before everything becomes easier.
Oh, isn’t this just applicable to, um, everything. But as for this book, it has taught me to solve the most number of problems to survive. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger, as they say.
3. If you don’t get it now, try harder; you’ll eventually get it.
I almost failed my second exam while the rest of my block mates got high scores. I could have given up then (I mean, what good is calculus, anyway?? JK), but I didn’t and I saw it instead as an opportunity to work harder.
4. It doesn’t work on the Cartesian plane? Try the Polar plane.
When it comes to double integrals (this is getting real, people!), there are times when the given works better on the Polar plane than on the Cartesian plane. Same goes with life, as we know. We try out different things to solve whatever comes our way.
5. Infinity may not be a definite number, but you can make your way towards infinity.
Just like how forever may not exist (#hugot), but we can make use of the nows, collect them to build the road to the future we want.
6. Numbers do not define everything.
And words don’t either. Because without action, nothing means anything. Numbers without values are nothing. Words without action are just confusing signals.
***
And that is what’s amazing. I went into my calculus book, thinking it was only for school, but look, here I am now, pondering on deeper things in life. Just goes to show how powerful the mind can be when it reads.
☁️
BOOKBED 
Anything to share? :)