Start here

So, you’ve decided you want to be a mathematician?

Welcome to the dark side. Here, have a cookie.

This page will point you at what I think are the most useful posts to help you develop the skills, knowledge and mindset that will help you along your path.

You might do well to get yourself a copy of AS- and A-Level Maths For Dummies – it’s aimed at the old A-level spec, but the maths in it is absolutely solid¹

I suggest using one of the posts below as a jumping-off point. See how you get on!

Skills and knowledge

• How to sketch in 3D
• How can I be neater?
• On not reading carefully
• A curve-sketching masterclass
• Completing the square
• Why the factor and remainder theorem work

Mindset

• When maths gets difficult
• How do I stretch my students?
• What I learnt from a STEP speedrun
• How do I keep my head up?
• The stuckness of Andrew Wiles
• I keep forgetting stuff!
• Should I interrupt?
• Am I smart enough?
• Dealing with panic
• Cambridge!
• The egoless mathematician
• Putting your problems right

Footnotes:

1. and the technical editing is second to none.