Pavel Durov: “The most important skill for building companies and leading projects is math.”

[ed]

That’s Durov’s advice to new university students — focus on math.

“Math teaches you to rely relentlessly on your own mind, to think logically, break down problems, and solve them step by step in the right order,” said the founder of Telegram and VKontakte.

Funny enough, Durov himself graduated with a degree in philology from St. Petersburg State University.
But by 12, he was already creating web games with vector animation and sound.
At 13, he was teaching Pascal to kids at programming camps.
Today, he’s still Telegram’s sole product manager.

🧠 He’s not alone. Bill Gates is a big math believer too.

In one of his essays, Gates cited research showing that students who complete algebra by 9th grade are far more likely to earn a college degree and land high-paying careers — regardless of their chosen field.

According to Gates, the issue isn’t that math is too hard for kids.

“It’s not that students are falling behind math — it’s that math is falling behind them.”

His take:

Education should be personalized

Schools should encourage students to collaborate, discuss problem-solving methods, and learn from each other

Math skills should apply to real-world problems, not just abstract concepts

In the age of calculators, computers, and AI bots, it’s easy to ask: “Why do I need to know how to divide by hand or calculate the area of a trapezoid?”

But here’s the truth: math isn’t just numbers — it’s a mindset.

It’s how you spot patterns, build systems, and solve the kind of problems no app can solve for you.

Whether you're launching a startup, exploring crypto, building a protocol, or just trying to understand how the world really works — math is your edge.

Durov and Gates aren’t saying it for nothing.
#Durov #Telegram #Gates #Windows

[EmTeam]

Really love this perspective. Math goes far beyond formulas—it trains your brain to think critically and approach any challenge step by step. Whether you end up in tech, business, or creative fields, having that logical foundation is a massive advantage

[Blobby]

Durov makes a great point here. Even in a world full of AI and automation, the ability to break down problems logically is irreplaceable. It’s not about memorizing equations—it’s about developing a mindset that helps you tackle complexity with confidence.

[alex65]

Couldn’t agree more. Math isn’t just about numbers—it’s mental training for everything else you’ll do. Funny how so many of the most creative innovators started out by mastering the basics of logic and problem solving