If you are interested in mathematics, you've come to the right place! The Tenebre.xyz mathematics pages are still under construction, but will eventually house a virtual online textbook of everything math! From the basics, to trigonometry, analytic geometry, and calculus—it will all be right here in one place.




I used to say I hated math because it was hard. Now I say I love math because it is hard. I love a challenge!


For many, math is one of the hardest, most confusing subjects. But this is primarily due to poorly written textbooks and a broken educational system. It's not the fault of the student. I, for one, used to be horrible at math, until one day when I just got it. Mathematics, as I learned, is simply a language, and once you understand the nuances of the language (there are all those weird symbols and variations of syntax) and have a reasonable grasp of the rules of mathematics, then it becomes a bit easier.


It's interesting the way our brains work. If you ask me what 4x9 is, it will take me a few seconds to do the math. But if you ask me what 9x4 is, I will simply say the answer is 36. It's basially the same problem, so why would one be harder than the other? I can answer the second question faster, because I know the rule of 9's. Similarly, if you ask me what 4x12 is, it will take longer than if you ask what 12x4 is, because our brains tend to focus on the first number. The problem 12+12+12+12 is much easier than 4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4, so we can develop an answer that much faster. Most people are taught that 6x8 is 48, and since it rhymes, it's easy to remember. But what about 8x6? Again, simply restate the question in your mind and the answer is easy! Little tricks like these can really help speed up and improve our math skills.


The problem is that most of the education system runs on rote memorization, and not so much on the actual processes involved. And they completely forget about the psychology of learning, especially where math is concerned. How our brains function is important if we want to learn. How our brains work and the chemistry involved in the process of learning are very important. For instance, if you are tired or have a headache, don't try to learn anything; it simply won't work. Similarly, if you are confused about something, stop until you can clarify it. Focusing on a confused fact can (and will) build permanent brain structures enforcing the confusion, leading to permanent errors in the thought process. One of the reasons for this, is that confusion often leads to frustration, which is a form of anger, and it releases chemicals in our brains such as adenaline—which happens to aid the process of building brain strucures. This is why we tend to remember certain moments in our lives easier than others. If you have adrenaline in your system, you have a much higher chance of retaining memories. This is why I listen to high-energy dance music (without words) while I study.


Anyway I, hope you enjoy these math pages. If you can get one thing out of them, then I have done my job.