Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#11

Post by jedi_stannis » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:26 PM UTC

I haven't picked it up yet, but I remember reading about "The Princeton Companion to Mathematics" on here a while ago. It looks like a pretty complete guide to all of modern mathematics and sounded like it was easy enough for a beginner to get through while still being able to teach math experts some new things.

Thanks for reminding me about it - I think I'm going to order my self a copy!

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#12

Post by springcoil » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:28 PM UTC

I second the OCW reference. Some of the Calculus for Dummies, type books are good. Its good to remember that Calculus and Linear Algebra don't have to be that complicated. I also recommend scan the books before you buy them, I wasted far too much money at college on txtbooks that I ended up despising

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#13

Post by kingkawn » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:30 PM UTC

Honestly I think Schaum's is pretty good because it does a bit of explanation, but you primarily learn through doing two dozen pages of problems per chapter.

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#14

Post by rickdangerous1 » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:31 PM UTC

I'm in the similar situation as you (OP). My high school education was interrupted quite badly and 13 years after graduating I lack confidence in my comp sci endeavors because my maths sucks so bad. I'd be interested to hear of any hackers who have missed education milestones (like high school maths) but gone and successfully filled in the gaps. The reason I'm asking is because I'm kind feeling that things like maths knowledge is layered on year after year and if you lack the foundation its really a huge amount of work to repair each successive layer.

Passing on some wisdoms to the young hackers around here... I wish someone had grabbed me by the face in highschool and told how important all these layers of skills/knowledge would be for getting the kind of jobs I want now.

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#15

Post by kenshi » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:40 PM UTC

I find the Khan Academy videos to be pretty helpful. They start with the absolute basics and go on up. http://www.khanacademy.org/

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#16

Post by babyboy808 » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:42 PM UTC

mahmud wrote: post #3

"An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning" by Peter J Eccels. Teaches the vocabulary of mathematics, just the basics you need to think like a mathematician, not a mathematics user like most science texts. "How To Solve It" George Polya. Heurists and problem solving skills, by a great mathematician. Do a google search, specially in the sci.math newsgroup. Again, read books by mathematicians for mathematicians; they'r…

Fantastic reply, thank you.

An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning loks good, just going to read some reviews on Amazon first.

Would 'How To Solve It' be aimed at someone like myself?

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#17

Post by brown9-2 » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:43 PM UTC

I know this doesn't answer your question since you asked about math in general, but in case anyone ever starts a "Best Physics books for complete noobie?" thread I'd like to go ahead and suggest Brian Greene's "Fabric of the Cosmos": http://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Cosmos-Space-Texture-Reality/dp...

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#18

Post by babyboy808 » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:45 PM UTC

rickdangerous1 wrote: post #14

I'm in the similar situation as you (OP). My high school education was interrupted quite badly and 13 years after graduating I lack confidence in my comp sci endeavors because my maths sucks so bad. I'd be interested to hear of any hackers who have missed education milestones (like high school maths) but gone and successfully filled in the gaps. The reason I'm asking is because I'm kind feeling that things like maths…

"The reason I'm asking is because I'm kind feeling that things like maths knowledge is layered on year after year and if you lack the foundation its really a huge amount of work to repair each successive layer."

Absolutely, the layers you mention is exactly why I want to start from scratch

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#19

Post by babyboy808 » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:46 PM UTC

kenshi wrote: post #15

I find the Khan Academy videos to be pretty helpful. They start with the absolute basics and go on up. http://www.khanacademy.org/

Thank you

Re: Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?

#20

Post by mattyb » Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 1:54 PM UTC

mahmud wrote: post #3

"An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning" by Peter J Eccels. Teaches the vocabulary of mathematics, just the basics you need to think like a mathematician, not a mathematics user like most science texts. "How To Solve It" George Polya. Heurists and problem solving skills, by a great mathematician. Do a google search, specially in the sci.math newsgroup. Again, read books by mathematicians for mathematicians; they'r…

I second the Eccles recommendation. It's a really great introduction to formal mathematics.