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Experienced Tutor for Math, Statistics, and Computer Science
Douglas Z.

5.0 (2,777 ratings)

13,275 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $135
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Response time: 1 hour

About Douglas

Bio

I was a graduate student in mathematics at Caltech and a postdoc at Columbia University. I left academia to work in industry, but I enjoy teaching. I have written dozens of articles and a book on applying mathematics for general audiences. I'm working on a parent's guide to algebra and book on applying economics to improve environmentalism. I've tutored mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, and programming since 2013 on other sites.

My goal is to make the material make...

I was a graduate student in mathematics at Caltech and a postdoc at Columbia University. I left academia to work in industry, but I enjoy teaching. I have written dozens of articles and a book on applying mathematics for general audiences. I'm working on a parent's guide to algebra and book on applying economics to improve environmentalism. I've tutored mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, and programming since 2013 on other sites.

My goal is to make the material make sense to you. Does it work? Sometimes. I had a 200:1 positive:negative review ratio. I'm constantly trying to improve.

As a graduate student and postdoc, I was a teaching assistant for and then taught calculus, linear algebra, combinatorics, probability, and multivariable calculus, among others. I also coached Caltech's Putnam team and I can help with contest mathematics. I usually tutor college students, but I have also tutored many high school students and a few graduate students.

I am available both for online and live lessons.

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Education

New College
Mathematics
Caltech
PhD

Policies

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

AMC (Competition math)

AMC (Competition math)

I participated in MathCounts, the AHSME, AIME, USAMO, and Putnam competitions. I coached Caltech's Putnam team to a 4th place finish against much larger schools. I created problems for math and programming competitions. I have worked with students preparing for MathCounts, AMC 8/10/12, AIME, USAMO, and Putnam.
Calculus

Calculus

I have taught several different levels of calculus. I have applied it in areas like economics and machine learning. Calculus might be the subject I have tutored the most in the last few years.
Data Science

Data Science

I have worked on neural networks since 2002, training neural networks for regression and anomaly detection. Since 2021 I have done research for a start-up on training deep neural networks and extracting more information from them.
Discrete Math

Discrete Math

Combinatorics was one of my favorite subjects in college and I enjoyed taking three courses on it in the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program. I wrote my senior thesis in combinatorial design theory. I took and was a TA for advanced combinatorics classes in graduate school. I have tutored students both for discrete math classes for computer science majors (covering things like Turing machines) and discrete mathematics classes which are alternatives to calculus (emphasizing things like proofs by induction and Euclid's algorithm).
Finite Math

Finite Math

I have tutored many students in finite mathematics over the past four years. I have also tutored subjects that use the ideas covered in finite mathematics courses. I can help whether your finite mathematics course focuses on logic and set theory, probability and statistics, or linear programming.
Linear Algebra

Linear Algebra

I used linear algebra throughout the core graduate classes in mathematics (abstract algebra, analysis, and topology/geometry). I apply linear algebra professionally within Machine Learning. I have tutored students both in calculation-based and proof-based linear algebra courses.
Machine Learning/ AI

Machine Learning/ AI

I do research on neural networks, such as on extracting information from trained neural networks. I have two patents pending related to this. I have helped many people with introductions to machine learning, introductions to AI, and more advanced courses such as on deep learning.
Poker

Poker

I used to play poker professionally, concentrating on Hold'em variants. I preferred to coach and coached many of the Sit-N-Go (SNG) players at the top of the Sharkscope leaderboards, including one player who went from not knowing whether a flush beat a straight to the dominant player on Full Tilt's medium stakes SNGs. I made dozens of instructional videos for StoxPoker (which merged with CardRunners) and PokerStrategy. I co-authored a book, The Math of Hold'em, aimed at poker players, covering mathematical aspects of poker strategy, analysis, and bankroll management. I wrote ICM Explorer, a program for investigating the Independent Chip Model of tournament equity.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I am writing a book on high school algebra, the main mathematics area covered by the SAT. I can help both with understanding the necessary math and test-taking strategies. Several of my students have earned perfect SAT Math scores, and I have former students who have gone to Harvard, MIT, and the University of Chicago.
ACT Math
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
Elementary Math
GED
Geometry
GRE
Prealgebra
Precalculus
Probability
Python
Statistics
Trigonometry

Examples of Expertise

Douglas has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 12 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Douglas ’s answers ›
Douglas Z.'s Photo

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Response time: 1 hour

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (2,777 ratings)
5 star
(2,744)
4 star
(17)
3 star
(9)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(6)

Reviews

Highly intelligent Teacher! A great human being!

Douglas is a wonderful and patient tutor, and very flexible to accommodate an emergency/last minute lesson! He explained me all Discrete Math concepts in detail.This has been invaluable for me and my studies. I strongly recommend him for math/CS related subjects. We will definitely be using Douglas for tutoring again. Thanks so much Douglas!

Chakuli, 97 lessons with Douglas

Very knowledgeable tutor on a variety of subjects

Douglas has helped me develop a true passion for learning math through his deep explanations, discovery based approach to learning and conversational style. Whenever I asked to cover any lesser known topic across a multitude of fields, Douglas had an answer for me and was able to connect it back to things I was already concrete in. His knowledge not only spans an array of subjects, but the way he approaches each problem and encourages you to probe it with different methods allows you to walk away having learnt something new every lesson. Would greatly recommend for anyone interested in any of the subjects he tutors, from any skill background.

Aleyx, 5 lessons with Douglas

Knowledgable and helpful tutor

He's really good for combinatorics and graphs, but he's also very expensive. Yet he is patient and takes student deliberation seriously, so I would advise to take his help on counting, graph theory, etc. if possible.

Arav, 2 lessons with Douglas

knowledgeable tutor

He is helping me with algorithm design and analysis and is very well versed with the topic. He is very patient and diligent. I highly recommend him

Arathi, 16 lessons with Douglas

Excellent tutor

Very knowledgeable, smart, and patient tutor. He came prepared and was able to help with some very difficult (for me) assignment problems. Will definitely be seeking his help again!

Arathi, 16 lessons with Douglas

Knowledgeable and Helpful

I have worked with Doug multiple times. Doug is s willing to accommodate on a short notice and was knowledgeable and helpful with math modeling. I highly recommend him.

Julian, 38 lessons with Douglas

Extremely helpful and knowledgable

I have done many tutoring sessions with Douglas and have never come across a problem or concept he cannot help me with. He has helped me with my introductory proofs, real analysis, and complex analysis courses. He is also really nice and patient!

Shoshi, 8 lessons with Douglas

Fantastic tutor

Douglas helped with linear algebra. He did an amazing job explaining what I needed to know to help me with my homework and upcoming quiz. He did a great job making me understand it

Andrea, 5 lessons with Douglas

Douglas is Awesome

Douglas is awesome. He can easily tackle any problem (given enough time and concentration if we were to go over them together, they cannot be rushed) - well most of the problems he and I went over were of medium difficulty math problems - he is extremely kind, knowledgeable and extremely smart. Would definitely recommend. But I would still need him to help me with some concepts:)

Jennifer, 10 lessons with Douglas

Extremely helpful.

Douglas was willing to adjust his teaching style to suit my learning style. The lesson was extremely thorough and comprehensive. Honestly would have failed without him.

Kindra , 4 lessons with Douglas
Hourly Rate: $135
Response time: 1 hour
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