Wrong method Memes

The mathematical equivalent of "well yes, but actually no." The first student confidently applies the power rule for derivatives (d/dx of x^n = nx^(n-1)) but skips the chain rule entirely. The correct approach would involve the chain rule since we're differentiating 7^2 with respect to 7. It's like watching someone get the right answer using completely wrong methods—the mathematical equivalent of failing successfully. That hesitant "you're not wrong but..." response is what every math tutor internally screams before launching into a 20-minute explanation about proper differentiation techniques.

When you cancel out the numerator and denominator by literally crossing them out instead of doing proper fraction simplification, but somehow still get the right answer. The mathematical equivalent of "I did absolutely nothing right but still passed the test." The smugness is well-earned though—why waste time with actual math when random scribbling gets you there faster? This is what happens when you're too lazy to remember the rules but too lucky to fail. Math teachers everywhere are simultaneously having aneurysms.

The calculus struggle is real! On the left, we have the proper derivative of x 1 worked out step-by-step with the power rule: d/dx(x) = 1·x 1-1 = 1·x 0 = 1·1 = 1. Meanwhile, on the right, labeled "MY DUMB MIND," is the shortcut version where the brain just crosses out the x's like they're canceling each other, magically arriving at the correct answer of 1 through completely wrong math. It's that beautiful moment when your terrible methodology somehow produces the right result and you're just standing there like "I'll take it!" The universe rewards the mathematically challenged sometimes.