Part II: Math Without Fear
If you’re someone who lights up at the thought of an experiment but feels your enthusiasm dim when math enters the room—this chapter is for you.
Mathematics is often taught as a gatekeeper subject, filled with rigid procedures, intimidating formulas, and the constant threat of doing something “wrong.” But science—real science—is driven by curiosity, not calculation. It begins with a question, followed by observations, patterns, comparisons, and only later—sometimes much later—comes the math.
The goal of this chapter is to de-mystify the mathematical side of doing science. We’re not here to teach math in the traditional way. Instead, we’ll show how to use math as a tool, just like a thermometer or a flashlight. And we’ll do it with the help of one of the most powerful new tools we have: AI.
With a smartphone in your hand and ChatGPT as your lab partner, you can graph data, explore patterns, and even generate fitting equations—without needing to memorize formulas or solve equations by hand. The emphasis is on understanding, not computation. You’ll learn to ask better questions, read graphs like stories, and use simple prompts to turn noisy data into clear insights.
Above all, this chapter is about building confidence. Math is not something to be feared or avoided—it’s something to be used, shaped, and explored. With the right tools and mindset, you’ll discover that math can become a powerful ally in your scientific journey, even if you never thought of yourself as a “math person.”
Let’s get started.