A core cord within me has always asked the question, what is reality made of and the madding question of what is time? These questions has existed for as far back as I remember. My first memory of the questions was when I was about three or four years of age as I watched a hand launched glider was sent flying into some hedges by my paternal grandfather; it was so exciting to see it fly.
The imposing question that is asked almost everyday is, what exactly is space and what exactly is time?
Between the age of thirteen and fourteen years of age, when I was in the 8th grade I discovered the book Solid Analytics Geometry written by John M. H. Olmsted, professor emeritus of Southern Illinois. The book was discovered among the college text books of my youngest aunt.
In those early years of my life that book fascinated me. It was my perception at the time, that the particular book was a rigorous exposition in mathematics that offered a glimpse of the paths which would of allowed my questions to be answered. As a result of my fascination with the book I diligently studied it throughout the 8th grade completing a few chapters contained within it by time it was for me to enter the ninth grade; high school.
I probably would have read the entire book completing as many problems as I could that summer if my aunt had not requested her book returned; I had taken it without her permission.
Throughout the summer break before the 9th grade I found several college level texts on the subject Algebra and Trigonometry in the public library. Reading and working through the problems in those books annoyed me. Many of them, to my taste, were too verbose and lacking rigor.
In an effort to find something more rigorous and succinct I found Thomas’ (Finney may also been coauthor) two volume set on the subject of Calculus and Analytic Geometry, in Englewood public library. I remember being excited, about the fact that within the first two chapters of the Thomas books he was describing what I was taking several hundred pages within many of the books on the subjects of Algebra and Trigonometry.
During the latter part of my sophomore year in high school, while working my way through the Thomas Calculus and Analytic Geometry book there were several references to the book Advance Calculus by John Olmsted. Already being appreciative of Olmsted writing style and not satisfied with the theoretical presentation found in the Thomas book Calculus and Analytic Geometry I managed to get my father to buy me a copy of Advance Calculus by Olmsted. From about age fifteen to the present I am a student of John Olmsted even if he died never knowing who I was. He created a work of art that allowed me to easily read and understand most works in the sciences.
At about age seventeen, still in high school, a curious thing happen when I was in Prentice Hall show room in Englewood Cliffs; I found the book Advance Calculus for Applications second edition by Francis B. Hildebrand. The book met my needs in how I care to have mathematical ideas presented to me; succinctly as possible. What this all meant by the time I got to Michigan Technological University (MTU) I was able to take a graduate level course on Partial Differential Equations.
At the time MTU mathematic department was very encouraging to undergraduates who wanted progress at a pace different from the average undergraduate student provided that student could find a professor to sponsor the endeavor. I did manage a get a sponsor but he required that I get another student to participate; which I did. Our studies were base only on the theoretical aspect of Olmsted Advance Calculus and references to R. C. Buck’s Advance Calculus. I had gotten what I wanted for the first and only time in my “FORMAL EDUCATION” and in one semester we covered the first seven chapters of both book. The final exam was a grueling but enjoyable eight hour exam. The exam was all proofs of problems taken for each chapter of the books. I will always remember Doctor Byers (if that is how you spell his name) for allowing me the freedom in getting credit for something I felt deeply about.
My studies of mathematics would be place on hold for time since while at MTU became enamored and had a great deal of access to a computer; the UNIVAC 1110; a big deal in the 1976, 1977, 1978 years. I had to leave MTU primarily for monetary reasons. Reflecting back I think it was for the best since I was never interested in being well rounded student. If it was not mathematics, or core Electrical Engineering courses or something having me programming or playing with the computer I was not interested. Worst yet MTU had a fantastic university library in which I was finding books more interesting than what my instructors were using to teach the EE courses. In retrospect I think a highly self motivated student like me will always be problematic to any educational institution. With that one exception at MTU I don’t believe they have the resources or the motivation to handle people like me much less keep us in the confines of there limited approach to education. Luckily for me I always find a way to learn what I desire to learn in an effective and efficient manner. After leaving MTU I found books on various area of mathematics such as Linear Algebra, Group Theory, Tensors, Forms, and Vector Analysis, Probability and Statistical Theory, Number Theory, Combinatorics etc. all of which holds interest to me for learning for the stated reason. Although my presentation, tutorials and instructions to be found on my Mathematics web pages are primarily for the people who have a similar education character to mine, others may find my presentations useful. Some advice; never be afraid to fail, Never be afraid of roadblocks. Studying your failures will always allow you to learn much more had you been right the first time. Studying your roadblocks will allow you to obtain new insights in how to tackle a problem; thinking outside the box should always be a goal and you really only learn how to do by not being afraid to fail and try and try and keep on trying until you get a break through…
I have to make an honorable mention of Ronald Gautreau of NJIT who never discorage me in my autodidact tendencies
