He was educated at home until he was eight years old and by the time he entered school in 1897 he had read his father's mathematics books, learning how to extract cube roots. (How many mathematicians today know how to extract cube roots?) He was fascinated by mathematical models and calculating, learning arithmetical methods from his mother.
Siya ay aral sa bahay hanggang siya ay walong taong gulang at sa pamamagitan ng oras siya ipinasok paaralan sa 1897 niya basahin ang kanyang ama sa matematika ng mga libro, pag-aaral kung paano sa kunin kubo Pinagmulan. (Ilang mga mathematicians ngayon kung paano sa kunin kubo Pinagmulan?) Siya ay nabighani sa pamamagitan ng matematika at modelo ng pagkalkula, arithmetical pamamaraan sa pag-aaral mula sa kanyang ina.