and i don't say that to brag like i'm some math genius (i am, in fact, not). true mastery of an equation or formula means true understanding of the governing concept. i would define an equation as a mathematical model of a specific phemomenon, or structure. it's a summary and an algorithm in one line that both contains and yields all the necessary information and properties. it's a brilliant and efficient synthesis. and that is exactly why it makes math easy. it reduces the amount of memorization due to the fundamental understanding of the concept. you don't have to memorize the gravitational force of every object. you just have to know how newton's second law of motion works. that's infinite data plugged into one line. and this is the very same reason why the humanities and social sciences are much, much harder than the natural and physical sciences. there is no mathematical modelling of the society or of human behavior. there's far too many factors involved in the play to make one coherent equation. it doesn't help that some of these factors are not easily quantifiable. discernment and deep understanding is necessary in these subjects. i'm so grateful i'm in engineering. i wouldn't survive a day without drooling if i have more than one humanities class probably.