5 Mathematicians who conquered their fear of math and become trailblazers

Mathematics can be a daunting subject for many people, but these five mathematicians conquered their fear of math and went on to make significant contributions to the field.

Here are five of the best mathematicians who overcame their fear of math and shined across the globe.

1. Albert Einstein:

Albert Einstein is perhaps the most well-known scientist of the 20th century. He is famous for his theory of relativity and for his equation E=mc². However, Einstein did not have an easy time with math. In fact, he failed his entrance exam to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich twice before finally being admitted. Einstein is a perfect example of how perseverance can pay off even when you struggle with a subject.

2. Ada Lovelace:

Ada Lovelace is known as the first computer programmer. She was a mathematician who worked with Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine, which was a mechanical computer. Lovelace was able to see the potential of the machine beyond just number crunching and wrote the first algorithm that could be processed by the machine. Lovelace is an inspiration to anyone who thinks that math is just about numbers and formulas.

3. Katherine Johnson:

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who worked at NASA during the 1960s. She was responsible for calculating the trajectories of the first American manned space flights. Johnson had to overcome many obstacles as a black woman working in a field dominated by men. She is a reminder that anyone can succeed in math if they are willing to work hard and persevere.

4. Terence Tao:

Terence Tao is a mathematician who has made significant contributions to several areas of mathematics, including number theory and harmonic analysis. He is a recipient of the Fields Medal, which is considered the most prestigious award in mathematics. However, Tao struggled with math as a child and was not considered a prodigy like many of his peers. He has said that he had to work hard to develop his mathematical abilities and that anyone can do the same with enough effort.

5. Maryam Mirzakhani:

Maryam Mirzakhani was a mathematician who was awarded the Fields Medal in 2014. She was the first woman and the first Iranian to receive the medal. Mirzakhani was known for her work on the geometry of surfaces and for developing new techniques to study them. She was also a role model for women in mathematics and showed that anyone can succeed in math regardless of their background or gender.

In conclusion, these five mathematicians are just a few examples of people who overcame their fear of math and went on to make significant contributions to the field. Their stories show that anyone can succeed in math if they are willing to work hard and persevere.