Chapter - 87 - Learning Maths

Tang Li took the math book, first glancing at the table of contents to get an overview of its contents.

She found that junior high school mathematics, whether algebra or geometry, had a relatively simple foundation—basic calculations and an understanding of real number functions.

Compared to high school mathematics, it seemed almost childish.

As she looked through the table of contents, Tang Li formulated a plan for her upcoming teaching session. However, she needed to assess Yi Minghuan's current knowledge level before starting the lesson. She hoped that Yi Minghuan, despite his tall and handsome appearance, wasn't entirely inept at math.

Teaching someone with no mathematical foundation could be quite challenging!

"Do you still remember what negative numbers are and how they work? What is 1 minus 6?" Tang Li asked him.

"Negative 5, I know that," Yi Minghuan replied promptly.

"Very Good!" Tang Li nodded in satisfaction. She proceeded to ask him about various mathematical concepts, including fractions, integers, linear and quadratic functions, inverse proportional functions, linear equations in one variable, and quadratic equations in one variable and so on.

It was clear that Yi Minghuan was familiar with some concepts but not others and needed to be explained in detail.

Having assessed his situation, Tang Li provided him with a few addition and subtraction problems and one-dimensional equations that he still remembered. She wanted to gauge his problem-solving skills and his current level.

Yi Minghuan took the paper with over a dozen questions and went to a nearby table. Lacking a proper chair, he bent over and awkwardly began working on the problems. He half-stretched and awkwardly lied on the table to solve the questions.

He was earnest and focused on explaining his solutions. However, as Tang Li watched him, she couldn't suppress her drowsiness.

With each yawn, her eyes welled up with tears. She was fighting off sleep but was finding it increasingly challenging.

'Hold on!'

'Maintain the appearance of a strict teacher!'

Tang Li straightened her back, but after waiting for about 5 minutes, she yawned again and her eyelids started to droop. Seeing that Yi Minghuan was still working on the problem, she couldn't hold back and began to urge:

"Have you finished solving the problems? It's normal to forget. Come here, and I'll demonstrate the solutions and explain the procedures to you. Don't waste your time trying to solve them on your own."

"Wait, I'm almost done," Yi Minghuan frowned and continued to work on the questions.

After a brief moment, he straightened up, handed the paper to Tang Li, and returned to the table. He fetched a kerosene lamp and brought it over to illuminate her. Standing tall and looking serious, he awaited her feedback, much like a diligent student waiting for approval on his homework.

Tang Li took a quick glance at him. He was both tall and handsome, yet he had an innocent and earnest expression that added an extra layer of charm. She was tempted to pinch his cheek and compliment him, but she refrained.

Turning her attention to the solved problems, Tang Li noted that Yi Minghuan had correctly answered all ten questions she had prepared, which ranged from simple to more complex. She was genuinely impressed by his performance.

In solving the last two equations later, it involved a lot of work because of the fractions involved, but he got it right in the end! 

"Great! Full marks! You did even better than I expected. While working on the questions, were there any specific areas where you had doubts?" Tang Li praised him with a smile.

Yi Minghuan then shared the difficulties he had faced during the problem-solving process. Tang Li addressed each of his concerns, providing clarification and summarizing key calculation rules on the paper. 

Finally, he wrote them in the blank space of the paper for him, which can be regarded as important notes. 

"Let's tackle another dozen questions," Yi Minghuan looked at the summarization of rules for a few moments after which his eyes lit up and looked at Tang Li with a hopeful look.

Tang Li, who was growing increasingly tired and longing for sleep, agreed, thinking to herself that even if he's cute, she really wanted to rest!