Chapter 1: The Myth of Einstein's Academic Struggles

In popular culture, there exists a widespread notion that Albert Einstein was not particularly adept at mathematics during his school years. Phrases like, “Einstein failed math in school, and look where he ended up…” have been comfortingly repeated by countless parents reviewing their children's grades. But how accurate is this assertion? Let’s delve deeper into the facts.

A look into Einstein's personal calculations and analyses, including his Zurich notebook (linked at the end), reveals that he had a strong command of mathematics as an adult.

A page from Einstein’s Zurich notebook

It’s hardly surprising that someone who formulated the theory of relativity would excel in mathematics. However, how did he perform in the sciences during his school years? Was it possible for him to struggle academically only to excel later in university?

An examination of accounts from Einstein's peers during his youth suggests otherwise. His former classmates noted his strong abilities in the sciences. Evidence from his school certificate supports this view:

Albert Einstein’s school certificate

In Switzerland, the highest possible grade was 6. Einstein earned top marks in algebra, geometry, descriptive geometry, and physics, with a 5 in chemistry and natural sciences. The only subject where he consistently struggled was French.

Moreover, according to family accounts, young Albert took the initiative to study geometry on his own. He discovered proofs for various classical theorems, including the Pythagorean theorem, well before it was taught in school. By the age of 16, he had already grasped concepts in mathematical analysis, which was beyond the school syllabus.

Albert Einstein at the age of 14. Source: wikipedia.org

Thus, it appears that Einstein did not encounter difficulties with mathematics in school. However, he was average in humanities subjects.

Where does the narrative of Einstein's alleged mathematical ineptitude stem from?

In my view, this myth can be traced back to several sources. For one, Einstein exhibited delayed speech development. While most children begin speaking around 12 to 15 months, he spoke his first words at the age of 4, causing his parents to worry about his intellectual capabilities. However, by the time he started school, he communicated just as well as his peers.

The second, and only partially accurate, source of this myth is that Einstein did indeed fail the entrance exams for the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School (ETH), one of Europe’s esteemed technical institutions. These exams encompassed subjects like physics, mathematics, geography, history, German, and biology. Einstein excelled in physics and mathematics but did not perform well in the humanities.

Hermann Minkowski, Einstein’s university mathematics professor

While at university, Einstein thought that mathematics was not essential for physics and believed his existing knowledge was adequate. Consequently, he missed lectures by the noted mathematician Hermann Minkowski. Nevertheless, he managed to pass his exams successfully. Minkowski remarked on Einstein's academic journey, saying:

“To me, it was a great surprise because, during his student years, Einstein was a ‘lazy dog.’”

Lastly, a key reason for the confusion lies in the different grading systems. In 19th-century Germany, a six-point scale was used where 1 was the highest grade and 6 the lowest. Conversely, in Switzerland, the grading system was reversed: 6 was the highest and 1 the lowest.

Until he was 16, Einstein studied in Munich, Germany, before relocating with his family to northern Italy. He attempted to enter ETH without completing his education and failed due to weaknesses in the humanities. Afterward, he spent an additional year studying in Switzerland, which is adjacent to Italy.

This explains why Einstein’s grades give the impression that he dramatically improved from failing to excelling. Those unaware of the grading disparities between Germany and Switzerland might mistakenly conclude that Einstein was initially poor in mathematics but experienced a sudden turnaround in his final school year.

Sources:

Einstein’s Zurich notebook

Walter Isaacson. Einstein: His Life and Universe (in Russian)

Sherman K. Stein. Strength in Numbers: Discovering the Joy and Power of Mathematics in Everyday Life

Chapter 2: The Reality of Einstein’s Academic Performance

The first video, "The Einstein myth: Why the cult of personality is bad for science" by Michelle Thaller on Big Think, addresses how the myth surrounding Einstein's intellectual abilities can detract from genuine scientific understanding.

The second video, "JRE: Einstein's UNFINISHED Theory!" explores the complexities and nuances of Einstein's theories, offering insights that challenge common misconceptions.