How do you "read" an article like this? I would need to pull out some paper, run...

jahbrewski on Jan 3, 2025 | parent | context | favorite | on: A Puzzle about a Calculator

How do you "read" an article like this? I would need to pull out some paper, run calculations, etc. to understand this (but perhaps I'm not the intended audience, as a non-mathematician?) - Or is that how you all approach an article like this?