As the best measurements of fundamental constants are on the order of 20 or so decimal places, any more precision than that is (physically) insignifigant.
Math is not an easy subject. There's no one trick that will shed light on how to 'get good' at it. But first realize that this guy is solving a highly specialized problem (the 13th root of a number), for which there are many tricks (using number theory).
Most math isn't about tricks like this or calculations of imposing numbers, but rather more like logic puzzles.
If you want to get better at computing numbers try this. Every time you buy something try figuring out the sales tax ahead of time. When weighing vegetables - figure out the total cost - etc. If that's too hard just try to get it to the nearest dime, then later, cent. I like to have the change out ahead of time - hehe.
Computation is a matter of practice. If you don't use it alot you'll get rusty. If you do it alot you'll figure out shortcuts on your own - and those shortcuts are the first steps in number theory.
There's no easy way to learn math except through practice. Unless of course you are truely gifted. It's said that Carl Gauss (a famous 19th C. mathematician) added up the numbers from 1 to 100 in grade school 'in his head' in a few seconds. Anyone can do it, it just takes a little thought. If you have fun with that problem - pick up a number theory book and enjoy.
Also, Martin Gardner (do a search on amazon) has a few excellent books for the math lay-person, full of mathematical puzzles that will help you foster mathematical insight that I highly recommend. Good luck!
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As the best measurements of fundamental constants are on the order of 20 or so decimal places, any more precision than that is (physically) insignifigant.
Most math isn't about tricks like this or calculations of imposing numbers, but rather more like logic puzzles.
If you want to get better at computing numbers try this. Every time you buy something try figuring out the sales tax ahead of time. When weighing vegetables - figure out the total cost - etc. If that's too hard just try to get it to the nearest dime, then later, cent. I like to have the change out ahead of time - hehe.
Computation is a matter of practice. If you don't use it alot you'll get rusty. If you do it alot you'll figure out shortcuts on your own - and those shortcuts are the first steps in number theory.
There's no easy way to learn math except through practice. Unless of course you are truely gifted. It's said that Carl Gauss (a famous 19th C. mathematician) added up the numbers from 1 to 100 in grade school 'in his head' in a few seconds. Anyone can do it, it just takes a little thought. If you have fun with that problem - pick up a number theory book and enjoy.
Also, Martin Gardner (do a search on amazon) has a few excellent books for the math lay-person, full of mathematical puzzles that will help you foster mathematical insight that I highly recommend. Good luck!