Can Genius solve any of exercises of textbook

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether a genius can solve all exercises in a textbook without encountering problems, exploring the implications of genius in relation to problem-solving in mathematics and physics. The conversation touches on the nature of genius, the purpose of textbook exercises, and the relationship between intelligence and hard work.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the clarity and meaningfulness of the original question regarding genius and textbook exercises.
  • Several participants assert that a genius could solve all exercises, but it may take a significant amount of time, with some exercises being extraordinarily difficult.
  • There is a suggestion that being a good student is sufficient to solve textbook problems, rather than being a genius.
  • Some participants emphasize that hard work is crucial, with references to quotes about genius and effort, suggesting that persistence is more important than innate intelligence.
  • One participant expresses that genius is subjective and that effort distinguishes a genius from others.
  • Another participant shares a specific exercise from a physics book, indicating a preference for challenging problems that evoke the experiences of historical figures in science.
  • Some participants express personal views on their own intelligence and problem-solving abilities, with varying degrees of self-assessment regarding genius.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the meaningfulness of the original question and the implications of genius in solving textbook exercises. There are competing views on whether genius is necessary to solve such problems and the role of hard work versus innate ability.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the purpose of exercises is to provide students with opportunities to apply concepts, and there are discussions about the time constraints students face when solving these problems.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students, educators, and individuals exploring the concepts of intelligence, problem-solving, and the nature of genius in academic contexts.

Nanas
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I know my question is not clear.All I want to say if genius ones can solve any exercise of textbook without any problem I mean without having a problem at one of the sub exercise.
 
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Yes, it is not clear at all. What the hell are you talking about?
 
My dog is a genius at fetching balls.
 
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In the modern textbooks of mathematics, on every section there are many exercises, is one who is a genius can solve all the exercises of the textbook without having any mistakes or problems.I assumed that this genius is reading the section and then solve exercises is that clear now ?
 
My English is bad I know.I want to know from you only if my question is clear now or not ?
 
Your question is clear enough, but actually meaningless.
 
The answer is yes: a genius will be able to solve all exercises of a textbook. But it may take some time.
 
micromass said:
The answer is yes: a genius will be able to solve all exercises of a textbook. But it may take some time.

What do you mean by some time ?
 
Nanas, your question is not really meaningful or useful. What is your purpose in asking it?

The POINT of exercises in books is to give students an opportunity to apply the concepts in the book. What difference does it make if a particularly smart person can figure them all out?

ANYBODY can figure them all out given enough time.
 
  • #10
Nanas said:
What do you mean by some time ?

A day, a month, a year, ...
Some textbooks exercises are extra-ordinary hard. It could take a genius over a year to solve all of them. It happens.
 
  • #11
micromass said:
A day, a month, a year, ...
Some textbooks exercises are extra-ordinary hard. It could take a genius over a year to solve all of them. It happens.
I think of that also he can solve all exercises and remain 4 or 5 Extra-ordinary hard questions which he will take a lot of time to solve.But must anyone try to solve all exercises
 
  • #12
Nanas said:
I think of that also he can solve all exercises and remain 4 or 5 Extra-ordinary hard questions which he will take a lot of time to solve.But must anyone try to solve all exercises

:confused:

Nanas, could you please tell us why you are asking all these questions? Why do you need to know this?? It'll be easier for us to help you if you tell us some more.

Did somebody tell you that you MUST solve all questions in a textbook in order to be smart?? Is this why you are asking this?
 
  • #13
phinds said:
Nanas, your question is not really meaningful or useful. What is your purpose in asking it?

The POINT of exercises in books is to give students an opportunity to apply the concepts in the book. What difference does it make if a particularly smart person can figure them all out?

ANYBODY can figure them all out given enough time.

But the time students have to solve them (I think) very Short.
 
  • #14
Nanas said:
But the time students have to solve them (I think) very Short.
If it is a school textbook assigned for your course, then you don't need to be a genius in order to solve them. You just need to be a good student.
 
  • #15
Evo said:
If it is a school textbook assigned for your course, then you don't need to be a genius in order to solve them. You just need to be a good student.

I'm sorry Evo, but it's obvious that you never read Rudin before :biggrin: I doubt that there are much students out there that can solve all of his exercises... I still have nightmares from that book :-p
 
  • #16
micromass said:
:confused:

Nanas, could you please tell us why you are asking all these questions? Why do you need to know this?? It'll be easier for us to help you if you tell us some more.

Did somebody tell you that you MUST solve all questions in a textbook in order to be smart?? Is this why you are asking this?

yes!
 
  • #17
Nanas said:
yes!
Then they were wrong.
 
  • #18
Nanas said:
yes!

Indeed, they were wrong. Being a genius has little to do with being able to solve textbook problems quickly.

A good scientist is (for me) somebody who can work hard and really embed himself in the problem. It may take years to reach a solution (and some never reach a solution), but a scientist must persist.

Remember what Einstein said: genius is 1% intelligence and 99% hard work. I believe that.
 
  • #19
A genius could solve all the exercises, but not everyone who solves them is a genius.
 
  • #20
Out of curiosity, is there a specific textbook you are using?
 
  • #21
micromass said:
Remember what Einstein said: genius is 1% intelligence and 99% hard work.
Are you referring to this Thomas Edison quote?

Thomas Edison said:
Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison"
 
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  • #22
Jimmy Snyder said:
Are you referring to this Thomas Edison quote?



http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison"

Aaah! I have a poster in which Einstein says it :frown: Apparently it is Edison.

Hmm, I liked the quote better when I thought that Einstein said it.
 
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  • #23
micromass said:
Aaah! I have a poster in which Einstein says it :frown: Apparently it is Edison.

Hmm, I liked the quote better when I thought that Einstein said it.

There is staggering amount of things attributed to Einstein that actually weren't his. The one I hate the most is that stupid riddle about fish and stuff.:(
 
  • #24
malty said:
There is staggering amount of things attributed to Einstein that actually weren't his. The one I hate the most is that stupid riddle about fish and stuff.:(
I haven't been able to verify this one.
A. Einstein said:
I'm no Einstein, but ...
 
  • #25
micromass said:
Remember what Einstein said: genius is 1% intelligence and 99% hard work. I believe that.

I Believe that also.
 
  • #26
In Fact this question wasn't for me but it was my friend's question!

I didn't know his aim for this question.It is not actually a question.He said to me "a genius can solve all of exercises rapidly,Right " I told him that I didn't Know.
 
  • #27
I got this from the book Gauge Fields, Knots and Gravity by John Baez and Javier P. Muniain. Page 449, Exercise 53:

Construct a theory of physics reconciling gravity and quantum theory. (Hint: you may have to develop new mathematical tools.) Design and conduct experiments to test the theory.
 
  • #28
I consider myself a genius, but i have a very hard time solving the simplest of problems.
 
  • #29
I don't Consider my self a genius.
 
  • #30
Jimmy Snyder said:
I got this from the book Gauge Fields, Knots and Gravity by John Baez and Javier P. Muniain. Page 449, Exercise 53:

I love this kind of Exercises,although I don't study Physics.But this Question make you fell what Albert Einestien , Isaac Newton,...etc had felt when they began their discoveries.
 

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