3Blue1Brown

3Blue1Brown: Where Math Finally Makes Sense (and Looks Good Doing It)

I’ll admit it. I used to zone out during math lectures. You know the feeling—chalk squeaking on the board, some professor muttering about eigenvectors like it’s a lullaby. But then, one day, a beautiful YouTube thumbnail appeared in my recommended feed: swirling lines, vibrant vectors, a title that said “The Essence of Linear Algebra.” I clicked. And just like that, math was art.

That was my introduction to 3Blue1Brown, the brainchild of Grant Sanderson. And wow—talk about a glow-up for mathematics.

Let’s talk about why this isn’t just another educational channel with a whiteboard and a well-meaning guy in a hoodie. This is math as a visual symphony, and it might just change how you see the universe.

The Man, The Myth, The Mathemagician: Grant Sanderson

Okay, so who is this wizard behind the digital curtain?

Grant Sanderson is a Stanford grad who used to work at Khan Academy. That alone gives him plenty of street cred in math-nerd circles. But what sets him apart is how he thinks about math. He doesn’t just want to teach it. He wants you to feel it.

Ever heard someone say, “I’m a visual learner”? Yeah, Grant took that idea, ran with it, and turned it into a digital masterpiece. His channel, 3Blue1Brown (named after the colors of his eye... no, really), is a place where vectors swirl, functions dance, and even neural networks seem kinda cute.

Linear Algebra: Finally Understand What the Heck a Matrix Is

Let’s start with a big one: linear algebra. Most people associate it with cryptic grids of numbers and a vague sense of existential dread. But 3Blue1Brown’s series “The Essence of Linear Algebra” flips that on its head.

And it’s not just good. It’s brilliantly visual.

You don’t just learn that multiplying a matrix by a vector rotates it—you see it happen. The screen becomes this living, breathing coordinate plane where everything transforms in real-time. Suddenly, “linear transformation” isn’t a phrase from a dusty textbook. It’s geometry. It’s animation. It’s actually kinda fun? (Wild, I know.)

Why This Series Works:

• Visual Intuition: Every concept is animated with custom visuals using Python’s Manim engine (more on that later).

• No Nonsense: Grant doesn’t waste time. He explains the why and how in under 15 minutes.

• Real World Hooks: You start seeing linear algebra in everything—graphics, physics, machine learning. You won’t look at 3D animation the same way again.

Calculus: From Doodles to Derivatives

Ugh. Calculus. The hill where many math dreams go to die.

But trust me—3Blue1Brown resurrects those dreams. His series on calculus is practically a TED Talk mixed with a Pixar short.

Instead of memorizing formulas like $f'(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h}$ (yawn), you watch how functions change and evolve. He literally draws the idea of a derivative right in front of you.

And integrals? He shows them as slicing and summing shapes—like building with LEGO blocks. I once showed this to my cousin who failed AP Calculus. He called me three days later to say, “Wait. Why didn’t anyone teach me this before?”

Key Takeaways:

• Derivatives become dynamic.

• Integrals are visualized as accumulations over time, not abstract symbols.

• And limits? Oh, he makes them feel like suspenseful zoom-ins on an answer that’s just out of reach.

Neural Networks: Machine Learning, But Make It Pretty

Now, if you're into AI (or pretending to be at parties), you’ve probably heard of neural networks. They sound futuristic. Confusing. Maybe a bit terrifying.

Grant makes them... digestible.

In his four-part series on neural networks, he shows how machines “learn” using math. But instead of getting lost in dense code, you watch neurons light up as they process input. The logic of training, loss functions, weights—he maps it all out visually. Like you’re inside the brain of a tiny, curious robot. Honestly? I learned more in those videos than in some of my CS classes (shhh).

Why 3Blue1Brown Works (and Why Most Math Classes Don’t)

Let’s get brutally honest. Most math education? Kinda sucks. You get dumped with formulas and homework and are somehow expected to intuit meaning from Greek letters. 🙄

3Blue1Brown flips that script by:

• Starting with intuition, not notation

• Animating concepts, so your brain builds actual mental models

• Letting ideas simmer, instead of rushing to the next thing

And here’s the kicker: the animations aren’t just eye candy. They’re pedagogical. That’s a fancy way of saying they actually help you learn better.

Oh, and for the tech nerds: he built his own animation engine—Manim. It’s open-source, wildly powerful, and very much a rabbit hole (don’t say I didn’t warn you).

Favorite Videos You Should Totally Watch

IMO, these are some must-watches:

1. The Essence of Linear Algebra (Full Series)
   Watch this if you’ve ever wondered what the heck a determinant really does.

2. Calculus: Visualizing Derivatives and Integrals
   Perfect for seeing motion, area, and rates come alive.

3. But what is a Neural Network?
   Even if you don’t care about AI, this is just slick and satisfying to watch.

4. How to Think About Exponentials
   This one genuinely changed how I understand growth and decay (also includes natural logs—yep, those weirdos).

TL;DR – Why You Should Watch 3Blue1Brown (Like, Right Now)

Let me put it like this: If traditional math instruction is cold oatmeal, 3Blue1Brown is a warm croissant with espresso and a side of visual clarity. 🍩

He makes abstract ideas tangible. He doesn’t dumb anything down, but he does lift you up to where the ideas live. And honestly? That’s a rare kind of teaching.

Final Thought (and Maybe a Shameless Plea)

So here’s my pitch: Whether you’re a math hater, a lifelong learner, or someone trying to impress your data science friends at brunch—go binge some 3Blue1Brown.

It’s free. It’s beautiful. And it might just change how you think about the world.

Also... if anyone from Netflix is listening, can we get Grant a show already? Just sayin’. :)