About

Math by First Principles is a free, self-study math site covering middle- and high-school mathematics. There is no account, no fee, and no advertising.

Why proofs

Most courses hand you a formula and ask you to practice it. This one shows you where the formula comes from, because knowing why a rule works is what lets you use it in a situation you have not seen before. A rule you have only memorized stops being useful the moment the problem changes shape. A rule you have watched being built does not.

So every result is proved rather than asserted, and the proof is the lesson rather than an appendix to it.

Who maintains it

Math by First Principles is written, reviewed, and maintained by Shyam Mishra with the help of AI. I am a technology enthusiast and the father of two students, one in high school and one in middle school, with a passion for making math easier to understand and more enjoyable to learn.

I would love to hear what is working well and what could be improved. Your feedback will help shape the site, and I will continue refining it based on suggestions from students, parents, and educators.

If you find the site useful, please share it with others. Most importantly, send your feedback. It is one of the best ways you can support this project.

Errors

Mathematical errors do get through. If you find one, please report it, and name the lesson and the step that looks wrong. Corrections are genuinely welcome and they are the fastest way this site gets better.

Privacy

The site has no accounts and sets no cookies. Page views are counted anonymously, and what you do on the site stays in your own browser. The privacy page says exactly what that means, and what a page view does send.