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Relearning math as an adult

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Re: Relearning math as an adult

#21

Post by mech422 »

redcobra762 wrote: post #12
hintymad wrote: post #10

It looks how do do proofs is at university level in the US. I wonder why other countries start to teach kids how to do proofs from grade 7. They start with rigorous proofs in Euclidean geometry, the move to solid geometry, then to proofs in elementary functions, sets, number theories, and etc, then to polynomials and simple discrete maths and analytic geometry. By the time a kid graduates high school. using things li…

We did proofs in 7th grade as part of geometry, in a semi-rural United States middle school.

Can't say I remember 7th grade ... but we were doing proofs in Geometry in High School. I also lived in a semi-rural US neighborhood.

Re: Relearning math as an adult

#23

Post by KallDrexx »

AlchemistCamp wrote: post #18
6d6b73 wrote: post #5

$49/student/month? That's excessive.

Compared to what? They have a track-record of students not even old enough to be in high school yet passing AP Calculus BC exams. Here in Taiwan, where I live, it's not that uncommon for people to pay 5x that price per month on supplementary math courses for their kids. https://twitter.com/_MathAcademy_/status/1708542077695574292

Compared to Kahn Academy, which also has a proven track record, is free, and has been around for a long while.

Re: Relearning math as an adult

#24

Post by bsdpufferfish »

fiforpg wrote: post #15

> but I needed a good reason that would justify the time investment It should be understood though that there are cases when math(-like) language is abused, leading to overcomplication and obscurantism [1]. In mathematics, there is always the temptation of formalizing for formalization's sake. Indeed, 99% of pure math is non-constructive ("there exists a group such that", "the algorithm converges in O(N) steps"), as…

> leading to overcomplication and obscurantism

Mathematicians attempt to express ideas in the most readable and clear way possible.

It's actually code that must be obfuscated by the constraints of the language and computer. Mathematicians have no constraints preventing them from presenting something in the way that makes the most sense.

The part that can be called "Obscurantism" is when they use a high-level abstraction you are unfamiliar with. This is mostly driven by the audience.

> Indeed, 99% of pure math is non-constructive

Citation needed?

> the algorithm converges in O(N) steps

That doesn't sound non-constructive. Even the group example is usually done by constructing such a group.

Also the best part about math is you can use it to approach the problems you want with constraints you want. Knuth uses math to solve real CS problems.

Re: Relearning math as an adult

#25

Post by maroonblazer »

>> The ‘Foundation Series‘ is what I’m starting with. It’s for adults to help streamline learning (it skips the stuff that kids need, but adults don’t) and work back up through college-level math relatively quickly (emphasis on relatively ).

I'm curious to know what 'stuff' he's referring to. And what about it makes it such that kids need it but adults don't. And if that's true, are we SURE kids need it?

I had horrible math teachers growing up and always thought "I just don't have the 'math gene'." I eventually disabused myself of that thought and set out on my own (re)learning journey. Could it have been less arduous had I skipped the stuff I didn't need to know because I was an adult?

Re: Relearning math as an adult

#28

Post by jorgesborges »

I’m a thirty-something with an arts degree who decided to learn math. Basically I was tired of reading popular science and being fed metaphors to understand concepts. I wanted to “see” it for myself. I spent time online at Khan Academy and friends for a year or so on and off. It was fine but meandering?

So I enrolled in community college! It’s great. I have a clearer path, immediate feedback, teachers, and an obligation to do work that keeps me on it.

Ultimately my plan is to get enough transfer credits for university and spend this decade slowly working toward a bachelor of science in physics.

Re: Relearning math as an adult

#29

Post by mhss »

AlchemistCamp wrote: post #18
6d6b73 wrote: post #5

$49/student/month? That's excessive.

Compared to what? They have a track-record of students not even old enough to be in high school yet passing AP Calculus BC exams. Here in Taiwan, where I live, it's not that uncommon for people to pay 5x that price per month on supplementary math courses for their kids. https://twitter.com/_MathAcademy_/status/1708542077695574292

The tool might be good but there’s also strong selection bias due to its price.
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