as we embark upon a journey through the realm of mathematics, it is imperative that we start over from the origin, diving into the most basic, precursory concepts that form the foundation of this vast field of knowledge. just as socrates would encourage us to question and examine our understanding, we must also be willing to renounce any prior misconceptions. however, while exploring these concepts, one must also inquire: what are the sneaky aspects of mathematics that educators purposely conceal to simplify its teaching?