Thorfinn - Mathematics tutor - Edinburgh

1^st lesson free

Thorfinn

5 (2 reviews)

Rate $53
Response 1h

5 (2 reviews)

$53/h

1^st lesson free

Mathematics
Algebra
Physics
Geometry
Quantitative physics

Nomadic physics and maths tutor specialising in deep understanding and overarching frameworks. Through a first-principled and geometric approach, I provide a thorough route to comprehension.

Mathematics
Algebra
Physics
Geometry
Quantitative physics

Lesson location

- online

About Thorfinn

At heart, I’m an adventurer. My strong yearning to venture off the beaten track has led me to both a nomadic lifestyle, and an unusual academic pathway.

I studied physics and maths in school receiving an A and an A* in Scottish Highers, respectively. But my study of physics really kicked off with a bikepacking trip from Scotland to Senegal, when strapped to my pannier bags were the The Feynman Lectures on Physics, a textbook series based on the undergraduate degree Richard Feynman taught at Caltech. I became captivated by the lectures, bringing them out whenever I could; over lunch in a café, on the side of a dirt track, or in an old wooden pirogue as I waited for a passage to Cape Verde. All those formulae that I’d learnt at school, suddenly began taking to life; F=ma, t^'=t/√(1-v^2/c^2 ), integration, trigonometry, E=mc^2… And there was so much more, a whole universe to explore! At night, when my eyes began closing to the well-worn pages, I slipped my textbook under my head and dreamt about equations. My curiosity had become an obsession.

Since then, I have focussed on the construction of theories, formulae, geometries, and conceptual frameworks, rather than the use of them. I picked my core textbooks and resources accordingly, which have included, Euclid’s The Elements, Einstein’s Princeton lectures (The Meaning of Relativity), and Dirac’s The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, amongst much else.

I have also completed a physics internship at ISTA (Institute of Science and Technology Austria) on an acoustic levitation project, where my tasks included making microparticles, analysing data, and designing an optical imaging system. I will be an author on the acoustic levitation project's upcoming paper. Additionally, I have an independently written maths paper under review at the Edinburgh Mathematical Society entitled "A Spectral Proof of the Platonic [Solid] Classification", following another interest of mine.

Alongside tutoring, I continue to pursue independent research in both mathematics and physics. Wherever I am, Tajikistan to Timbuctoo, I’ve always got a riddle on my mind and a pencil behind my ear.

About the lesson

I realised that my unique education has equipped me with powerful tools for tutoring. My background allows me to break material down into a first-principled framework, an approach which encourages engagement; brings overarching frameworks to house knowledge; and enables you to tackle unfamiliar problems and grasp new ideas more readily.

Moreover, my sessions will train participants in their own reasoning, ingenuity, and problem-solving ability. Through riddles, puzzles and conversation, sessions become a sort of mental playground where we discuss, think, draw, question and ponder. You may try one way; then another; then a third. You may get stuck, only, after some thought, to land on a Eurika moment! Besides being fun, this playful environment primes minds, through neuroplasticity, for the comprehension and retention of challenging material.

To these ends, I employ geometry as a principle means. Since you, I, and the universe live in spacetime, geometry is inseparable from physics and comes naturally to us. In a strange way, the abstract world of mathematics is also a geometric one. While formulae, laws, inputs, outputs, and processes can all be expressed in purely algebraic form, geometry is often the best way to develop precise conceptual frameworks. It’s quite remarkable how much of physics and mathematics can be understood through drawing lines on paper.

While geometry is the master of conceptual understanding, algebra is the master of stepwise reasoning. Algebra allows us to abstract our ideas, manipulate them in a logically sound manner, and arrive at new architecture. So, whether you are studying physics or mathematics, algebra is indispensable. But don’t worry, this isn’t the dry, dead subject it all too often comes across as. Rather, it is an algebra full of meaning and life.

The first-principled and geometric foundations of my understanding are perfect for conveying complex ideas in an accessible way, so that’s what I do. Through a marriage of imagination and logic, I teach my students about the endlessly fascinating abstract and physical worlds. Above all, my tutoring is driven by a wish to share the spirit of adventure, and to witness my students’ solving problems with their own minds.

So, whether studying for exams or simply out of interest, no matter what level, my methodology will go above and beyond to deliver a deep level of understanding to subject matter.

If all this sounds appealing, come join!

Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

Maricel

Thorfinn is a genuine and inspiring person. His passion for maths and physics is contagious and he makes for a truly fantastic tutor! To be honest, I previously hated mathematics, yet, somehow, he managed to spark real curiosity about the subject in me, which, in my eyes, demonstrates an impressive ability to teach and be engaging!

Please don't hesitate to choose him!
Read more

M
Maricel
Thorfinn is a genuine and inspiring person. His passion for maths and physics is contagious and he makes for a truly fantastic tutor! To be honest, I previously hated mathematics, yet, somehow, he managed to spark real curiosity about the subject in me, which, in my eyes, demonstrates an impressive ability to teach and be engaging!

Please don't hesitate to choose him!
Blair

Thorfinn is a patient, kind hearted teacher who has an infectious enthusiasm for his subject. If you are looking for a tutor with a genuine passion for their subject then Thorfinn is an excellent choice. He is highly organised, punctual and all of his lessons are carefully planned.
Read more

B
Blair
Thorfinn is a patient, kind hearted teacher who has an infectious enthusiasm for his subject. If you are looking for a tutor with a genuine passion for their subject then Thorfinn is an excellent choice. He is highly organised, punctual and all of his lessons are carefully planned.
View more recommendations

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5h: $265
10h: $530

free lessons

This first lesson offered with Thorfinn will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

online

$53/h

Nomadic physics and maths tutor specialising in deep understanding and overarching frameworks. Through a first-principled and geometric approach, I provide a thorough route to comprehension.

Lesson location

Recommended

About Thorfinn

About the lesson

Recommendations

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Pack rates

free lessons

online

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Nomadic physics and maths tutor specialising in deep understanding and overarching frameworks. Through a first-principled and geometric approach, I provide a thorough route to comprehension.

Lesson location

Recommended

About Thorfinn

About the lesson

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

free lessons

online

Other tutors in Mathematics

Davayne

Sofia

Reza

Jose

Josiah

Lyle

Philip

Drew

Joe

Fadil

Boris

Natalie

Seren

Bryan

Matias Ignacio

Yannik

Jody

Sevan

Haider

Cynthia

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