I forget where I’ve seen this, but I like using a squiggly arrow to represent a function that returns a probability.

(n,) vs. (n, 1)

Algebraic manipulation is always a fun way to make something profound seem like mere trickery.

1 or 2 # returns 1, not True
(1 or 1) == True # returns False

Running plt.show() causes all sorts of issues on macOS. To fix them, switch your matplotlib backend to something besides MacOSX. I used Qt5Agg.

From I Want to be a Mathematician, Paul Halmos’s autobiography.

Understanding the fundamentals in chapter 5, especially over and underfitting, really pays off. This chapter is really easy to read if you can even half-remember those earlier sections.

I’m glad I read this early on, because it’s kept me going ever since.

This is a topic near to my heart, in the same way that an old bullet stuck in your chest is.

Why do we care about true statements?

Why are we privileging truth over falsity? There’s nothing inherently better about inconsistent models.

Started shallow, going deep.

I’ll be assuming that you know what these terms mean:

Finding the rank of a matrix (a.k.a a linear function) can be done in polynomial time (\(O(n^3)\)).

It is very difficult to enjoy or appreciate mathematics in a purely passive way—in mathematics there is no real analogy of the role of the spectator, audience, or viewer.

In Hindi and English, question words both have repetitive structure.

In December 2014, I stopped using soap and shampoo. 2 and a half years later, I can confirm that it was a good decision, as my skin has cleared up, my hair is much shinier, and I don’t feel oily at all. Plus, it’s one less thing to pack.