I know what it is about to me, I was curious about what it was about to him. Now in terms of math I can only speak for myself but it would probably take me 10x

I know what it is about to me, I was curious about what it was about to him. Now in terms of math I can only speak for myself but it would probably take me 10x longer to learn what I have learnt, if it wasn't for being surrounded by professionals and a peer group where I can have my assumptions tested against. Now I'm not saying it's impossible to self teach yourself advanced mathematics, but without tutorials, office hours, students to talk to, professors to talk to, it's going to be a very difficult road and one I'm not sure I could do the self-taught method.