The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for STEM Majors — A Formula Guide for STEM Majors

Based on the supplied transcript. Punctuation and paragraph breaks have been added, with repeated fillers and false starts reduced for readability. Obvious transcription errors have been corrected. Personal opinions, allegations, and recollections remain attributed to the speaker.

Okay, kids. In this video, I want to talk about my Ultimate Cheat Sheet. It’s the second in this—here, let me show you these ones. These are my handmade ones.

My handmade one is called the Formula Guide, but if you order it, it’s called The Ultimate Cheat Sheet. It’s really a formula guide.

I don’t sell these handmade ones anymore. I could, but I’m focusing on the Math Monthly journal going forward. I use a third party for printing now so that you get the hardcover.

The formula guide is the second half of this book. It starts with the How to Study guide, which explains how to write solutions on exams and homework, and the things you need to do to check off what you need on your résumé by senior year.

It’s very compelling. Hundreds, probably thousands, have read it and come back to say, “Thank you.” Someone emailed the other day and said, “I want to personally thank you.”

The primary argument I’m trying to convince you of is that what you’re doing needs to set you apart from the competition when you apply for a job. The way you’re treating college means you aren’t competition.

You need to stand out. There might be a thousand applicants for the same job. Do you think you’re that special? Some applicants have decades of experience.

Employers weigh whether to hire someone who’s 50 or someone who’s 22. The 50-year-old may be a rock star but will retire. The 22-year-old won’t know much but could be there a long time. They weigh those options.

Everything I’m trying to do with the research program is to help you understand that and develop skills so you stand out.

The How to Study guide starts the formula book. It’s about 400-plus pages or so in here.

It took me about a decade to write this book—not because writing it takes that long, but because I spent those years tutoring and going through the courses.

What’s in here is essentially every formula from algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, Calculus One, Calculus Two, and Calculus Three.

There aren’t really formulas for linear algebra and differential equations in the same way, but I go through the important things people misunderstand: rank, how to do things, and so on. It clarifies things.

It’s a collection of what you’re supposed to have in your head by junior year.

After tutoring for 15 years, I thought somebody needed to put this together because students don’t realize they’ll struggle junior year without knowing it.

It’s designed to read leisurely and also to keep right next to you, likely as a PDF on your computer.

I used it all the time while tutoring. I’d have it right there and think, “What was that trinomial factoring formula?” Then I’d look and say, “Oh, yeah. That’s what it was.”

I put a lot into it. There are tips and tricks throughout the different courses. I point out things people confuse: “Some people think this means that, but it actually means this.”

A couple of students from another country emailed and said, “There’s nothing like this out there. It cleared everything up for me.” That’s the general consensus.

It makes sense because I spent 15 years tutoring. Some of you aren’t convinced of my skill. I was a top-rated, top-paid tutor for a decade on Wyzant.

Yes, I got banned because I asked a student out. I did it on purpose because I wanted them to ban me. They were treating me like a slave. I was with them from the beginning and built their company.

They used my face in Google ads. The CEO emailed and said I was in the top 1% of tutors—not just math and physics.

I was number one in math and physics. If you searched for a tutor, I was the first to appear. I had thousands of five-star ratings. I was top dog.

Then the pandemic came, and they turned into a company that took people’s exams for them, and I stopped doing it.

They changed the algorithm to prevent people from getting too many students. They became a horrifying company with no respect for the educational system.

They should be banned because it’s against the rules to use a private tutor in college. Every syllabus I’ve read says you can only use the textbook, lecture notes, and the professor’s guidance. You can’t even work with classmates.

You say, “That’s ridiculous. What are you talking about?” I say, “Have you read the [inaudible] syllabus, you stupid-ass idiot? Quit arguing. Read the syllabus.”

You want to argue more. “Read the syllabus.” You keep arguing because you know you’re wrong.

That’s what pathetic, worthless worms do. They refuse to acknowledge they’re wrong, keep denying and arguing, and respond to questions with questions. There’s no room for someone like you in this field. You need to leave.

This book collects equations from algebra through linear algebra, differential equations, and basic physics.

Physics is different. You have to read the physics book. If you can’t read it, you have to leave this field. Get with the program.

Census Bureau data points to anyone using Khan Academy, AI, a private tutor, or a solution manual in a math, physics, or engineering degree failing.

You say, “That isn’t true.” What are you doing in college? Do you understand research?

I can’t read your comments anymore because you’re all idiots. You want to answer questions with questions, argue, and pretend you’re smart.

There’s nothing cool about being a mathematician, physicist, or engineer. You work 12 hours a day. Nobody wants to talk to you because they feel inferior. You just work all day.

Why do you want to do that? You watch movies and think about Iron Man, Einstein, and Oppenheimer. You’re dazzled by cinema and don’t know what you’re getting into.

That’s why half fail calculus. Those who cheat through linear algebra fail junior year—the other half. Essentially 33%—you’ll hear professors say, “Look left. Look right. Within two months, only one of you will be there.”

It happens because you don’t read textbooks and answer questions with questions. You don’t read the syllabus.

When you answer a question with a question, leave science. Go into politics with the rest of the idiots.

You aren’t listening. You’re still arguing. I can hear it in your head. You’re a narcissist. Do you even know the definition?

You probably think insanity means doing the same thing repeatedly. You probably think one times zero is apples and oranges. You’re in the wrong place. Do yourself a favor. This isn’t for you.

Arguing like a child and harassing people online means you’ll end up in prison because you’re a lawbreaker. Pirating means you’re a felon.

I address all of that first in the book: that you’re a criminal, a harasser, a lawbreaker, delusional, and need help.

For the rest of you who have integrity, it’s a useful tool. A lot of time and work went into it.

Children shouldn’t have internet access or be able to put fake ratings on my work. Ratings shouldn’t exist. The ratings you see online aren’t real.

If you’re a scientist reading reviews and ratings and thinking they’re real, or reading something on a dot-com site, you’re in the wrong place. You aren’t a PLEM major.

You know why? The L is part of PLEM. You spent 18 years writing essays and citing legitimate sources, yet you’re reading dot-com articles. My God.

That’s how it starts. There’s your lecture for the day. Have a nice day. The links are in the description. Merry Christmas.

Author Jonathan David introduces The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for STEM Majors as a formula guide and study reference developed from his tutoring experience. He explains its opening study material, subject coverage, and intended use alongside a student’s coursework.

Opening Study Guidance

The book begins with guidance on studying, presenting homework and exam solutions, and developing skills for later coursework and employment. Jonathan connects this material with his broader emphasis on clear communication and professional preparation.

Formulas, Notation & Clarifications

The described coverage includes algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, Calculus One through Three, linear algebra, differential equations, and basic physics. Beyond formulas, the guide includes explanations of concepts and notation that Jonathan repeatedly saw students misunderstand.

A Nearby Reference

Jonathan recommends both reading through the collection and keeping it nearby for reference, particularly as a PDF. He describes using it during tutoring to recall formulas and review details quickly.

Development Through Tutoring

The guide is described as the result of years spent observing recurring student difficulties across multiple subjects. Jonathan also shares personal recollections of his tutoring career and reader feedback.

Textbooks & Course Instructions

A recurring message is to read the assigned textbook, syllabus, and code of conduct carefully. Jonathan expresses strong objections to students relying on outside resources instead of developing their own familiarity with course material.

Print Format & Current Focus

Jonathan shows an earlier handmade version labeled as a formula guide and explains that the product is sold as The Ultimate Cheat Sheet. He describes using third-party hardcover printing while focusing his handmade production work on the Math Monthly journal.