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How Einstein Learned Physics
Wanting to understand how Einstein learned physics may, at first, seem as pointless as trying to fly by watching birds and flapping your arms really hard. How do you emulate someone who is synonymous with genius?However, I think the investigation can still bear fruits, even if you or I might not have the intellectual gifts to revolutionize physics. Whatever Einstein did to learn, he clearly did something right, so there’s merit in trying to figure out what that was.
How Smart Was Einstein? (Did He Really Fail Elementary Mathematics?)
One of the most common stories about Einstein is that he failed grade school math. I think this is one of those ideas that sounds so good it has to get repeated, regardless of whether it is true or not.Unfortunately, it’s not true. Einstein was a strong math student from a very young age. He himself admits:
While the story about Einstein being an early dullard is certainly false, it’s not the case that he was universally regarded as a genius, either.“I never failed in mathematics. Before I was fifteen I had mastered differential and integral calculus.”
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How Einstein Learned Physics
Einstein was a student long before he became a celebrity. There is a lot to glean from his education and unique approach to learning.