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Ask HN: What are the best general math workbooks?

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Re: Ask HN: What are the best general math workbooks?

#31

Post by 2pEXgD0fZ5cF »

lostinparadise wrote: post #9

Variations of this exact question are asked so often. Have you tried searching about it? hn.algolia.com

I disagree, what is common are questions or discussions on math books in general which are typically dominated by higher math and material for people already in posession of a stem degree. However many, if not most, math books are not suited for self study. I don't often see discussions on fundamentals or other "unsexy" parts of mathematics.

I find OPs question refreshing in a way.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best general math workbooks?

#33

Post by kingkongjaffa »

eddsh wrote: post #17

I recently started a degree with Open University in Engineering (a distance learning course that's fully accredited in the UK but works for me as I move around while my wife works as a Postdoc, currently in Palo Alto). The book I've found that covers me from math basics (basically GCSE, so high school Maths) through to the more advanced topics I know I will need is Engineering Mathematics by K. A. Stroud. I'd highly…

Fellow Brit!

I used KA Stroud (eng maths and advanced eng maths) all the way through my BEng and MSc!

Re: Ask HN: What are the best general math workbooks?

#35

Post by ivansavz »

I know what you're asking for "sbornik" notebook with all problems to solve. The rough equivalent in the North America market is the Schaum's Outline series.

I have two books that satisfy criteria 1 through 4, but they are full textbooks with explanations not just exercises. Lots of exercises though (easy) and lots of problems too (hard). Links in my profile.

In the meantime I will share with you the concept maps from the two books, since they might be helpful to "situate" you on the journey towards all these topics: https://minireference.com/static/conceptmaps/math_and_physic... and https://minireference.com/static/conceptmaps/linear_algebra_...

Re: Ask HN: What are the best general math workbooks?

#36

Post by gmays »

Not a traditional paper workbook, but a better web-based alternative is Math Academy: https://mathacademy.com/#courses

A fellow hacker with a strong math education background spent most of the last decade building this and it's quite impressive (more exhaustive than anything I've seen). I don't know of a better way to learn math than this.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best general math workbooks?

#37

Post by kirkules »

jimhefferon wrote: post #10

My Linear Algebra https://hefferon.net/linearalgebra/index.html comes with lots of exercises in each section, from easy to (a few) pretty hard. There is a book of worked solutions that covers all exercises. It is free so if you download it (and the solutions) and you find that it doesn't suit then no harm done. There is no platform, no way of having the computer check your answers (if that is what you mean). For thin…

Your book has helped me understand determinants so much better than I had before. I really love its progression and depth, and I still have a lot more of it to get through. Thank you for making it easily available.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best general math workbooks?

#39

Post by jimhefferon »

kirkules wrote: post #37
jimhefferon wrote: post #10

My Linear Algebra https://hefferon.net/linearalgebra/index.html comes with lots of exercises in each section, from easy to (a few) pretty hard. There is a book of worked solutions that covers all exercises. It is free so if you download it (and the solutions) and you find that it doesn't suit then no harm done. There is no platform, no way of having the computer check your answers (if that is what you mean). For thin…

Your book has helped me understand determinants so much better than I had before. I really love its progression and depth, and I still have a lot more of it to get through. Thank you for making it easily available.

You are welcome. I am glad you find it useful.

Re: Ask HN: What are the best general math workbooks?

#40

Post by robaye »

lake_vincent wrote: post #32

The Art of Problem Solving!!! Cannot recommend highly enough. Comprehensive, rigorous, and well written. Amazing community around them too. Can take you all the way to the IMO, if you want.

Yes! The books if I remember correctly are designed around solving a lot of problems first and foremost.

Taken from the description of one of their books:

"The text is structured to inspire the reader to explore and develop new ideas. Each section starts with problems, giving the student a chance to solve them without help before proceeding. The text then includes solutions to these problems, through which algebraic techniques are taught. Important facts and powerful problem solving approaches are highlighted throughout the text. In addition to the instructional material, the book contains well over 1000 problems."

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