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Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

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Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#61

Post by threatofrain »

melenaboija wrote: post #56
threatofrain wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3B1B has stated that the series is mostly useful for summarizing or augmenting existing knowledge after taking the class; it's not for learning Linear Algebra fresh. If you sum all the minutes in the 3B1B videos it's basically the length of one video from a university course.

Agree, I said starting point assuming that he has some basic knowledge as he is struggling so he must know something. For more advanced linear algebra I would recommend the class from Prof. Gilbert at MIT. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DDD91010BC51F8 https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-06-linear-algebra... What is your recommendation?

I'm not sure about recommending video courses because... there are so few people who have taken up the burden of producing a full Linear Algebra video course. It's sad. But I would at least say that whether you're following Gilbert Strang or someone else, you should be following with a book as well.

There's another guy, Jim Hefferon of St Michael's College, who has written a full book for his own class and produced a full video course on Linear Algebra (all free).

https://hefferon.net/linearalgebra/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnTa9XtvmfI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ6YwBN7Ya8

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#62

Post by gaoshan »

I'm the same. Self taught, brain is not mathematically oriented and it feels like a gap in my abilities.

People will often say something like, "You don't really need math" for programming but that is missing the point, in my opinion. The point is that it feels to me (after many years of experience and working with many great programmers) that people with a mathematically oriented mind tend to find certain common programming realms easier to grasp. It makes them faster and more productive as they almost intuitively "get" things that are oriented in the same manner as their brain already works.

For others (me) I have much more trouble in these areas and have to really pound my head on the problem to even get close to understanding it as fluently as they do. They probably do not realize this but it's a real struggle (I've had a few occasions where the other person seemed genuinely confused that I was not really "getting it").

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#63

Post by ur-whale »

IMO "I suck at subject X ..." simply means the amount of work/time you're going to need to invest to master subject X is larger (sometimes much larger) than folks who have a knack for it.

It rarely means you're completely incapable of mastering subject X.

The real question is: is the investment worth it? If it takes you 5 years to master basic linear algebra because your brain truly isn't wired for it, how much is the 5 years you are going to spend going to pay back in the long run?

Oh, and: actually enjoying doing X is usually a tremendous help towards mastering it.

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#64

Post by melenaboija »

threatofrain wrote: post #61
melenaboija wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agree, I said starting point assuming that he has some basic knowledge as he is struggling so he must know something. For more advanced linear algebra I would recommend the class from Prof. Gilbert at MIT. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DDD91010BC51F8 https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-06-linear-algebra... What is your recommendation?

I'm not sure about recommending video courses because... there are so few people who have taken up the burden of producing a full Linear Algebra video course. It's sad. But I would at least say that whether you're following Gilbert Strang or someone else, you should be following with a book as well. There's another guy, Jim Hefferon of St Michael's College, who has written a full book for his own class and produced a…

I totally agree with you and that is why I have also added to the post the link to the open course MIT site.

I also believe that is quite naive thinking that you can learn math in some depth just watching videos (at least with my capacity). For me it is a way to keep some pace and order when learning and, as you say, to find some bibliography and material that is being used by the professor.

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#65

Post by Kye »

badactor wrote: post #41
upofadown wrote: post #7

Chances are you actually suck at algebra. I went through this issue when I started electrical engineering as part of an overly elaborate midlife crisis. I got the book in the bookstore that was supposed to bring you up to high school level and just did all of the exercises. Then I did a whole lot of exercises for the introductory university math courses. Basically it is something you have to grind at. Once you do eno…

The problem for me is identifying where exactly in my mathematical fundamentals things fall apart (like with prime numbers, some basic arithmetic, geometry) that makes higher-level math a struggle conceptually. It's always felt like there were holes in my fundamentals. I suspect the only way to figure this out is to go back and do everything again either through Khan Academy or books. Does anyone else have this issue…

https://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Outline-Elementary-Mathematic...

Schaum's Outlines are like that "Learn X in Y Minutes" site for school subjects. They give the clearest, most bare bones explanation so you can quickly identify gaps. I had the college algebra book for the required math class in technical school. Between that and YouTube, I was able to pass the class.

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#66

Post by secretsatan »

I wouldn't say I'm great at math, I scraped an A-Level in it over twenty years ago, didn't use it much for years, but then I got interested in graphics again and there are some severe gaps in my knowledge.

I remember at the time, I just did not understand matrices, I now use them a hell of a lot and I still suck at them. Linear algebra is another one.

Most other stuff day to day stuff I can reasonably understand, or at least sit down with pen and paper and work out what I need to do but the above 2 frequently get my head stuck in knots, I often think about maybe doing a course on these 2

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#67

Post by ur-whale »

motohagiography wrote: post #55

Out of curiosity, what does it look like to not-suck at math? Do you wake up in the morning and are reminded of constants and theorems in everyday things and laugh empathetically with donuts as you recognize your shared absurd topological homology, or go to the office and automatically recognize what's possible and not from its implied complexity class in office conversations? Are you checking Bayesian priors in your…

> Out of curiosity, what does it look like to not-suck at math?

The speed at which you an understand, internalize and can put to use a new concept when it is presented to you.

This is usually combined with the practice of the trade providing you with actual pleasure, which is, of course, a self-reinforcing loop.

Some folks can take a single semester of linear algebra and absorb the majority of the thing, including learning far more than the course required because they truly liked it.

Others can take the first half of their career to finally understand the ideas and apply them properly.

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#68

Post by corysama »

upofadown wrote: post #7

Chances are you actually suck at algebra. I went through this issue when I started electrical engineering as part of an overly elaborate midlife crisis. I got the book in the bookstore that was supposed to bring you up to high school level and just did all of the exercises. Then I did a whole lot of exercises for the introductory university math courses. Basically it is something you have to grind at. Once you do eno…

Anyone who sucks at algebra and has a low grind tolerance should try https://dragonbox.com/products/algebra-12 It’s very well made. And, it’s designed for 12 year olds. So, adults can usually manage to keep up.

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#69

Post by ur-whale »

josefrichter wrote: post #19

It also helps not to tell yourself "I suck at math", that's a very common self-fulfilling prophecy.

> It also helps not to tell yourself "I suck at math", that's a very common self-fulfilling prophecy.

Wholeheartedly agree, and this applies much more broadly than math.

Once you've built the mental fence, breaking it down is a giant PITA.

Re: Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?

#70

Post by pthread_t »

badactor wrote: post #41
upofadown wrote: post #7

Chances are you actually suck at algebra. I went through this issue when I started electrical engineering as part of an overly elaborate midlife crisis. I got the book in the bookstore that was supposed to bring you up to high school level and just did all of the exercises. Then I did a whole lot of exercises for the introductory university math courses. Basically it is something you have to grind at. Once you do eno…

The problem for me is identifying where exactly in my mathematical fundamentals things fall apart (like with prime numbers, some basic arithmetic, geometry) that makes higher-level math a struggle conceptually. It's always felt like there were holes in my fundamentals. I suspect the only way to figure this out is to go back and do everything again either through Khan Academy or books. Does anyone else have this issue…

Try Khan Academy. The exercises (especially with how they focus on mastery), coupled with the videos will help you root out your weak points and even master them. Do not be ashamed in starting with the kindergarten math topics and moving upwards from there. If you are able to power through it, good on you. If you get stuck on something, even better -- now is your chance to master it.

KA helped me go from hating math in high school to double majoring in Math & CS in college, and graduating with honors. I donate to KA now.

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