Shortcuts Memes

The lone figure walking diagonally across the courtyard is clearly taking the hypotenuse of the triangle while everyone else follows the two perpendicular paths! Classic Pythagoras flexing his own theorem in public. The hypotenuse is always the shortest distance between two points, and this mathematical rebel knows it. Meanwhile, the normies are stuck walking the adjacent and opposite sides like absolute right-angled peasants. That's peak mathematical efficiency right there—saving precious seconds while simultaneously triggering everyone who's too conventional to break the social norm of following established paths. Pythagoras didn't discover the most famous theorem in geometry just to wait in line like a commoner!

The pure joy of discovering derivative shortcuts is captured perfectly in this Toy Story meme! Before learning derivative rules, calculus students are stuck with that terrifying limit definition - manually calculating each derivative like some kind of mathematical torture. Then suddenly, power rule, chain rule, product rule enter the chat and it's "See ya never!" to that limit nightmare. Students literally toss that complicated formula aside like Woody dismissing a toy that's no longer needed. The mathematical glow-up is real - going from spending 20 minutes on one problem to knocking out derivatives in seconds. Freedom never felt so good!

The mathematical equivalent of sweeping dirt under the rug! Every math student has experienced that moment of existential dread when the professor skips 17 critical steps with "it is clear that" — leaving you questioning your entire academic career. Those four words are basically mathematical sleight of hand, concealing what's probably a 3-page proof that nobody wants to write on the board. The real unsolved problem? Finding the courage to raise your hand and admit nothing is clear to you whatsoever.