Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
1–10 of 180 posts
I have started re-learning college level Physics and am thoroughly enjoying Feynman's Lecture on Physics. Are there similar books available for Mathematics (& Chemistry) - books that are fundamental and easy to read?
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#2Calculus by Michael Spivak
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#3Prelude to Mathematics by W.W. Sawyer was written to give students an overview of modern math concepts beyond algebra. Topics include non-euclidian geometry, linear algebra, projective geometry and group theory. Again, for someone with an understanding of algebra. I enjoyed it and think it's in the spirit of what you're looking for.
Edit: Introduction to Graph Theory by Trudeau is another that I really liked. Very little was applicable to graphs as programmers think of them. Pure math that is easy to grasp and enjoy.
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#4Mary Boas wrote one of my fav books targeting folks in the physical sciences: https://www.amazon.com/Mathematical-Methods-Physical-Science...
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#5I know you asked for books, but I have to mention the videos of Grant Sanderson (3Blue1Brown) [1].
His explanations of mathematics are the only ones I can think of that have given me the same sort of piercing clarity and insight that one gets from reading Feynman on physics.
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#6I liked Steven Strogatz's books Sync and Infinite Powers.
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#7Feynman was a unique teacher of course, and pure math isn't quite as easy to teach intuitively.
Something that might be close would be the survey _Mathematics: Its Contents, Methods and Meaning_ by Aleksandrov, Kolmogorov et al. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/405880.Mathematics
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#8Calculus by Michael Spivak
seconded. this book is fantastic!
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#9I bought Prelude to Mathematics when I was 12, it was the first maths book I bought. That was a very long time ago! I thought it was very good, I don't know of another book quite like it. He produced some other good books as well.
Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?
#10Rudin