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Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

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Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#71

Post by WalterBright »

ska wrote: post #39
beagle3 wrote: post #19

When I was studying physics, I found Feynman’s books in the library, read them all, and had the feeling I understand everything! But then I tried to solve some final exams from previous years, and realized the feeling is false. These books gave me great intuition - but they made all the math look deceivingly simple, and as a result it is hard to develop the actual problem solving skills and intuition. I know my exper…

Physics is a bit like that anyway though, you can't learn it by reading or listening to anyone, you have to solve things yourself from scratch, usually multiple times. Reading good books/having good lecturers certainly helps, but there is no way to replace the work.

> Reading good books/having good lecturers certainly helps, but there is no way to replace the work.

I watch with wry amusement how schools constantly try to take the work out of learning. It never works. It's like putting labor-saving machinery in the gym - you'll never get stronger. You gotta put in the sweat.

Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#72

Post by wbl »

AlexCoventry wrote: post #63
vymague wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't that true for any physics or math texts? You need to do problems. That's why there were exercise books to accompany Feynman's lecture.

I didn't know about the companion exercises. That's great.

Sadly there are not that many availible AFAIK.

Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#73

Post by hdrujvw-4579 »

ArtWomb wrote: post #35
anton_tarasenko wrote: post #26

In terms of depth and breadth, the Princeton companions get close to Feynman.[1][2] A more formal approach appears in handbooks.[3][4] [1] Gowers et al., The Princeton Companion to Mathematics. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691118802/th... [2] Higham and Dennis, The Princeton Companion to Applied Mathematics. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691150390/th... [3] Zwillinger, CRC Standar…

Good list! I'd also add Mary Boas' Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences . A standard textbook for incoming students across disciplines and very accessible

We used that book for a course and I found it among my less favourite ones. its been a few years since I used it, but I remember it shallow and uninspiring. not trying to start an argument here, maybe just an outlier opinion since this seems a standard textbook.

Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#74

Post by Beldin »

I would recommend "The Number Devil" [1] for children (from 11 on) and adults alike.

It's a zany story, but in that respect it provides a refreshing intro into some math concepts.

In that vein, I also recommend "mathematical mindsets" [2]. A colleague developed a course inspired by this book. Though I only witnessed a tidbit, it radiated with the "new perspective/ new insights / gained understanding" that you'd get from the Feynman lectures.

Sidenote: neither is "now you know how all of maths work", but neither is Feynman thaf (foot physics). More importantly, all of them help you gain a new perspective on things.

[1] eg. https://www.bol.com/nl/p/the-number-devil-a-mathematical-adv...

[2] eg. https://books.google.nl/books/about/Mathematical_Mindsets.ht...

Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#75

Post by DrPhish »

I'm currently reading "Mathematics: From the Birth of Numbers by Jan Gullberg" with my 3 sons (16, 12 and 10), and by taking it slow (one minor number per day) with lots of work together its helping build things up for them from first principles.

I read it myself years ago and it was a great and entertaining way to fill in the gaps from my meager math education.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/383087.Mathematics

Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#76

Post by AlexCoventry »

wbl wrote: post #72
AlexCoventry wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't know about the companion exercises. That's great.

Sadly there are not that many availible AFAIK.

It seems as though there are approximately 300 pages' worth. https://www.amazon.com/Exercises-Feynman-Lectures-Physics-Ri...

Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#77

Post by adrianmonk »

oarabbus_ wrote: post #50
bjornsing wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But is really breadth and depth what makes Feynman’s approach to physics unique? To me the unique aspect is more the uncompromising intuitionistic approach with little consideration/adaptation for “shallow/correlative thinkers”...

This. I think everyone in this topic is missing the point of what makes the Feynman Lectures unique.

I'd use 3 words to describe Feynman's style: clarity, accessibility, and fascination.

Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#79

Post by ska »

WalterBright wrote: post #71
ska wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Physics is a bit like that anyway though, you can't learn it by reading or listening to anyone, you have to solve things yourself from scratch, usually multiple times. Reading good books/having good lecturers certainly helps, but there is no way to replace the work.

> Reading good books/having good lecturers certainly helps, but there is no way to replace the work. I watch with wry amusement how schools constantly try to take the work out of learning. It never works. It's like putting labor-saving machinery in the gym - you'll never get stronger. You gotta put in the sweat.

This is the real weakness of most MOOCs. Most people are not disciplined enough to do nearly enough of the real work themselves without some sort of outside incentive. At least not until they have several years of practice.

Re: Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?

#80

Post by UncleSlacky »

hdrujvw-4579 wrote: post #73
ArtWomb wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good list! I'd also add Mary Boas' Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences . A standard textbook for incoming students across disciplines and very accessible

We used that book for a course and I found it among my less favourite ones. its been a few years since I used it, but I remember it shallow and uninspiring. not trying to start an argument here, maybe just an outlier opinion since this seems a standard textbook.

It was one of my course books as well, but I think it's aimed at the American market and style of learning/presentation. I much preferred Stroud's "Engineering Mathematics" which was a course book for engineers at my university (I studied physics).
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