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Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

courses.csail.mit.edu

11–20 of 161 posts

Re: Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

#11
post #6

Is this a good start for Math required for Machine Learning ?

From what starting position are you asking from; what is your current math background?

I am familiar with Linear algebra and at most average understanding of graph theory. I know there is lot more math to cover for ML but I find it overwhelming to start

Re: Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

#12
post #10

Is this a good start for Math required for Machine Learning ?

No, this is for a general introduction to the mathematics of computer science. This looks like a basic (and good!) text any MIT freshman should be able to master. Perhaps it's for what 6.001 has morphed into? If you understand this stuff, you really need linear algebra for today's "deep learning", which perhaps is 18.03 (I can no longer remember).

This class is 6.042 and is not required for CS majors. 6.001 morphed into 6.01, which is something to do with python.

18.06 is linear algebra. 18.03 is differential equations, which you don't really need for machine learning.

Re: Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

#13
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From what starting position are you asking from; what is your current math background?

I am familiar with Linear algebra and at most average understanding of graph theory. I know there is lot more math to cover for ML but I find it overwhelming to start

All you need for introductory machine learning is multivariable calculus (for some simple optimization stuff), linear algebra, and probability. If you don't know probability, here's a good course: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-compu....

Once you feel comfortable with those, you'll be more than ready to tackle 6.867: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-compu....

Re: Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

#14
I printed off the 2015 version (yes, the whole thing) and it has served as a very valuable reference. I wish there was a way to purchase a nice printed edition to support the authors. If they read this - thanks! Also, is a 2017 version of the course coming to OCW? I imagine that's why they'd release the updated PDF.

Re: Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

#16
post #12
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, this is for a general introduction to the mathematics of computer science. This looks like a basic (and good!) text any MIT freshman should be able to master. Perhaps it's for what 6.001 has morphed into? If you understand this stuff, you really need linear algebra for today's "deep learning", which perhaps is 18.03 (I can no longer remember).

This class is 6.042 and is not required for CS majors. 6.001 morphed into 6.01, which is something to do with python. 18.06 is linear algebra. 18.03 is differential equations, which you don't really need for machine learning.

> 18.06 is linear algebra

Is Gilbert Strang still teaching linear algebra at MIT? His intro materials to all things applied math are incredibly accessible.

Re: Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

#17
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This class is 6.042 and is not required for CS majors. 6.001 morphed into 6.01, which is something to do with python. 18.06 is linear algebra. 18.03 is differential equations, which you don't really need for machine learning.

> 18.06 is linear algebra Is Gilbert Strang still teaching linear algebra at MIT? His intro materials to all things applied math are incredibly accessible.

No idea. He's definitely getting up there in years, so if he is still teaching now, I don't know how much longer it will be for.

Strang doesn't teach 18.06 every semester anyway.

Re: Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

#19
post #9

Is this a good start for Math required for Machine Learning ?

Needs more: Linear Algebra: http://joshua.smcvt.edu/linearalgebra/ Calculus: https://cnx.org/contents/i4nRcikn@2.48:H2TLb2-S@2/Introducti... https://cnx.org/contents/HTmjSAcf@2.40:rrzms6rP@2/Introducti... https://cnx.org/contents/oxzXkyFi@2.49:72YaCFgv@2/Introducti...

I can't thank you enough for this comment

Re: Mathematics for Computer Science [pdf]

#20
This fall I will be teaching the required "Discrete Math for CS course" to about fifty students at the University of South Carolina. Previously I used Epp's book [1] which in my opinion is an outstanding book but regrettably is $280.44. Many of our students are working minimum wage jobs to make ends meet, and I don't want to make them pay so much if I can at all help it.

Lucky I saw this!!

I do have one reservation though -- many of our students come in with a weaker mathematical background than MIT students; for example we spent several weeks doing proofs by induction (and no other kinds of proofs) and this text doesn't seem to feature a couple of weeks worth of examples.

I think I'll probably go with this and supplement as needed. Really it looks quite wonderful. (And hell, the book seems to be open source which would mean that I could potentially write supplmentary material directly into the book and make my version available publicly as well.)

This thread seems like a particularly good place to solicit advice: experiences with this book or others, what you wished you'd learned in your own undergraduate course on this subject, etc. I've taught this course once before -- I feel I did quite well but I still have room to improve. Thanks!

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Discrete-Mathematics-Applications-Sus...

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