/sci/ - Science & Math

>>12764164

>>12644643
I am >>12642094, a fellow high-school dropout and NEET, now in early 30s who is now very motivated to learn mathematics. My suggestions are:

1. Forget the PDFs, get an actual physical book, and STICK TO IT. Don't switch between different books and fields; you will make progress in none of them.

2. Start from the beginning, and try and get out of the thinking that this basic material is for kids. This attitude will make you skip a lot of important fundamentals that will help you think for yourself. THIS IS WHAT HAS HINDERED ME THE MOST. I used to think 'well yeah obviously I know the product of two negative numbers is a positive number', but I didn't ever bother thinking about why that is the case.

3. Try and prove things based on what information you have been given. Recognize when later theorems have been built on theorems you have previously proved

4. Try and think about different ways of saying the same thing. For example, the number 123 is a positive integer, but also a polynomial

As for motivation? For me I just find it fun to be using my brain. Others seems to recommend thinking of it as a game where you level up. At the most basic level, you will realize that math isn't that hard, and that taking the time to learn it properly will put you above 90 % of your peers who can't be bothered to think in a logical, mathematical manner. And it will be a start to applying yourself and getting a better job (if that's what you want).