I was going to respond to the post and then I saw yours and decided . . . a better point could not have been made.
2+2=4 only if you use the appropriate number system, Don't ask me which one or ones work. I usually use the 10 count. Normally fingers.
Unfortunately, the OP probably never had trading in mind when he created this thread because such a deep thought can never be translated into trading. Why do so many of you indulge in Socratic bullshit? If you want to succeed as a trader, don't think too much!
So true. I've often thought that if I were to teach trading, we'd use for text, "Trading 100"... and we'd spend a LOT of time on Chaper 1. (You know, that chapter everyone is in a hurry to skip over so they can "get to the good stuff".) K.I.S.S.
What I meant was stick to trading and don't fool yourself by thinking that obtaining higher knowledge will somehow make you a better trader. However, by no means am I disparaging the need for "deep thoughts". No doubt, it's important but it's totally irrelevant in trading. Why waste valuable energy when you would be better off thinking about price action?
20% of the knowledge would cover 80% of the trades. But what 20%? Which 80% of the trades? O yea, forgot about "when". Small detail.
The problem is that 80% of the traders, or possibly more, suffer from attention-deficit syndrome. They go off the tangent and become preoccupied with something totally unrelated to trading, much like our federal government. You do not need to utilize 100% of your brain capacity to become a successful trader. You need only a fraction. But the damn problem is the lack of focus.
======================= I like the'' more power''-ful answer of 5; agree with it[number 5], but its 2X 2.5 =5. All the money in the room does not change multiplication tables.Compounding interest & sprouting seeds coud prove your math example right, even understated..................................... 2 orange trees added to 2 orange trees coud produce 5 or more orange trees & much more. I like your number 5, & I am not saying that's the only way to get to 5, its not.