Different Brains, Same Pi

The eternal struggle of the calculus novice. Looking at the chain rule formula and mistaking those differential notations for simple fractions you can cancel out. The mathematical equivalent of thinking you can just delete the denominators because they look the same. Every calculus professor just felt a disturbance in the force.

Physicists looking at a simple hydrogen atom: "Too basic. Let's make it SPICY." *proceeds to create an equation that requires three dimensions, multiple quantum numbers, and enough Greek letters to make Pythagoras jealous* Spherical harmonics are what happens when mathematicians and physicists collaborate after too much caffeine. Sure, we could describe electron orbitals simply, but where's the fun in that? Let's turn a basic planetary model into an equation that makes calculus look like kindergarten arithmetic!

The mathematical trauma hierarchy is real, folks! While some students shed tears over calculus or linear algebra, others carry the psychological scars of multiplication tables drilled into them through parental intimidation tactics. The kitchen table—seemingly an innocent piece of furniture—transformed into an interrogation chamber where "3×7" became the password between emotional stability and complete breakdown. This perfectly captures that specific generational mathematics pedagogy where memorization through fear was somehow considered effective. The real equation here? Childhood anxiety + basic arithmetic = lifelong numerical PTSD.

The fastest way to get a math PhD? Just repeat "this is trivial" with absolute confidence! This parrot skipped all the grueling problem sets and went straight to graduation by mastering the one phrase mathematicians use to make everyone feel intellectually inferior. Next semester, it's teaching a seminar on "obvious" proofs and collecting research grants for cracker-based algorithms. Meanwhile, actual math students are sobbing into their 17th cup of coffee trying to understand why anything is "trivial."

Nothing triggers mathematical PTSD quite like these abominations. Let's break down this parade of horrors: • That natural log with the subscript e is redundant torture - it's like saying "ATM machine" but for people who actually passed calculus • The square root of 2 with that tiny 2 on top? Pure sadism. Is it the square root or not? Make up your mind! • Sin⁻¹(x) looking like a reciprocal when it's actually the inverse function. Thirty years teaching and I still have to remind students it's not 1/sin(x) • And that x² = x×x monstrosity... I've failed students for less. Probably why my course evaluations are terrible. No wonder mathematicians drink.

The mathematical equivalent of saying "I'm not lying" while your pants are literally on fire! This "proof" commits the cardinal sin of mathematical sleight-of-hand by claiming √1 = ±1, which is... not how square roots work in standard mathematics. The principal square root is always positive, so √1 = 1, not ±1. Then there's that magical moment where they conveniently pick + for one term and - for another. That's like ordering both diet and regular soda to cancel out the calories. The final "QED get rekt" is the mathematical equivalent of dropping the mic after proving absolutely nothing. This is what happens when you divide by zero in your personality development.