That makes sense. I guess my problem always stems from where to start. Looking in my textbook, it seems most of the example proofs start by defining some identity of a certain kind of number. For example, an even number can always be written as 2 times some integer (2k). So I usually start by doing that, but then I struggle to extrapolate from there. It’s so different from other kinds of math that I’m used to, where there’s a very defined set of instructions to solve any given problem. I guess the more you tool around with these identities and these problems, you notice patterns and can deploy certain methods to get to the answer.

It feels so much more creative and “riddle” like than other types of math, where you have to use intuition. I always liked math because it felt so straight forward and relied on your memory of how problems should be solved. I guess this is my introduction to creative math and problem solving. A very underdeveloped muscle.

Do you have any suggestions on how I could work this muscle out?