I wonder if that’s because you’re not trying to “understand” something, you’re just using it as part of a separate algorithm? You stop caring about what it means to find an eigenvalue, and just think about how to get what the number you need to solve the problem in front of you.
Also, oddly enough, when taking the math course that builds on something, you get a lot more practice at it than when you were taking the original course. In other words, you probably do a lot more algebra in calculus class than in algebra class.
I’m starting to wonder if, when first tackling a troublesome topic, I think of it as an enemy, but when given a different enemy I suddenly start treating it like a reluctant ally. The “falling into place” phenomenon also happens when the New Unspeakable Horror is a real-world issue I need to deal with, like a problem at work, or an exam.
I wonder if that’s because you’re not trying to “understand” something, you’re just using it as part of a separate algorithm? You stop caring about what it means to find an eigenvalue, and just think about how to get what the number you need to solve the problem in front of you.
Also, oddly enough, when taking the math course that builds on something, you get a lot more practice at it than when you were taking the original course. In other words, you probably do a lot more algebra in calculus class than in algebra class.
I’m starting to wonder if, when first tackling a troublesome topic, I think of it as an enemy, but when given a different enemy I suddenly start treating it like a reluctant ally. The “falling into place” phenomenon also happens when the New Unspeakable Horror is a real-world issue I need to deal with, like a problem at work, or an exam.