Those who find higher mathematics difficult to grasp are often stymied by its “abstraction”—the fact that its symbols and concepts exist in an unearthly realm of the mind. But abstract thinking has powerful applications in the real world. It allows us to distill problems down to their essential elements, solving them from the foundation up. This approach, in almost any sphere of human activity, can save you a great deal of time, money, and trouble.Abstracting in TheoryWhen approaching a problem, focus first on what actually matters. What are the main drivers? What will cause success? What are the biggest impact factors? How can we most optimally address those components?Ideally, your solution will address the parts of the problem in order of importance.