How to learn mathematics for the average Joe My question is simple, how does one learn mathematics while possessing modest intelectual abilities, like my own, and being able to successfully gain, at least to some extent, an overall sufficient understanding about concepts in a well enough manner to make him/her capable of solving moderately difficult problems in Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations and Statistics(basically, stuff required for doing Physics)? Or to put it this way - does the 10000 hour rule holds for mathematics.I am not particularly gifted and average at best, so, I decided to adress this very issue here. I am willing to put in the work, however, I don't want to embark such a jerney and end up disappointed later on.Is it doable? Will deliberate practice alone help me get good or there is more to it?
Thanks in Advance
 A: Well I truly started learning and memorizing mathematics when I started listening to how Fields medalists talk about their work. Basically these guys are doing mathematics which most of us are never going to be able to understand, but when they talk about it, it all makes sense and is it graspable what they are talking about. The point being is that behind most of mathematics there is a way to truly understand what is going on. You must not allow yourself to get bogged-down in formalism.
What works best for me is to make notes when I am stuck. If I find a proof which is not quite clear to me I try to isolate which part does not make sense, and then follow the steps until it starts to make sense. When it starts making sense I try to think where else would such a thing make sense. When I am swimming in clear waters again I try to isolate the point of the proof, and method it used. Lastly I write down all definitions and theorems in spaced-repetition system, because "repetitio est mater studiorum" as they used to say.
Lastly what I find useful to do is find a book and stick with it. I learned to not change literature often, because in every book there is going to be part where you are just hopelessly stuck. When you are stuck, come back here and ask for help. With these steps you should be well on your way.
