/sci/ - Science & Math

[Anonymous No.12333774]

I want to learn math. Where to start, what books to read? I am completely newbie.

[Anonymous No.12333793]

Alegbra for dummies + Algebra Workbook for dummies
Algebra2 for dummies +algebra2 workbook for dummies

Practice decimals, fractions and long division if you still struggle with basic arithmetic.
When i got into Algebra2 for dummies id often find wrong answers were a matter of not checking for negative signs or moving a decimal place incorrectly.

Im not memeing the 1+2 algebra for dummies books are great refreshers but you MUST do it in tandem with the workbook,
Author is MARY SMITH i believe

[Anonymous No.12333850]

>>12333793
Thanks a lot for the advice.

[Anonymous No.12333889]

>>12333774
Openstax is free and just as good

[Anonymous No.12333938]

>>12333774
basic mathematics by lang -> stewarts calc -> spivak's calc

[Anonymous No.12333951]

>>12333774
Godspeed, anon. Do you have any preferences of topics that you want to eventually learn?

[Anonymous No.12334024]

>>12333951
> Godspeed, anon
Thank you
> Do you have any preferences of topics that you want to eventually learn?
In general, I wanted to study mathematics in order to study programming with this knowledge. This is the main reason for which I need it, but still I would like to study all sections of mathematics, at least superficially, in order to have some idea about them. But first, of course, I need to start with the basics.

[Anonymous No.12334030]

>>12334024
>for programming
You may want to write this down for when you finish introductory work. A book on discrete math/introductory abstract algebra will help you greatly with basic computer problem solving. You will need to know algebra first, though.

[Anonymous No.12334033]

is this book good for a beginner?

[Anonymous No.12334041]

>>12334033
Depends, do you mean "beginner" as in "30 year old man who finished high school and properly learned math but forgot most of it"? If so, yes, otherwise no.

[Anonymous No.12334048]

>>12334030
Ok, i got it. I think the books from the thread will be enough for me for a long time. thanks again

[Anonymous No.12334134]

>>12334041
lol u can't just forget math if u "properly learned it"

[Anonymous No.12334343]

>>12334134
It's possible after 10-15 yers totally without math

[Anonymous No.12334350]

>>12333102

[Anonymous No.12334441]

The /sci/ wiki linked in the sticky used to be a great resource with a list of good books, but some absolute fucktard (probably a janny fuck) had to go and fuck everything up and is going to burn in hell.
Anyway, start with Precaculus by Stitz and Zeager. It is available for free online. This will cover algebra, trigonometry, and geometry.
After this, move onto general calculus. You can go the standard approach (consider Calculus, volumes 1 and 2, by Apostol) or the infinitesimal approach by Keisler.
Once you're through all of that you'll have a real solid foundation as long as you really spent time on it and understood it.
Some people will cry about the precalculus book I recommended because
>omfg over a thousand pages just of precalculus!!!
but the book is objectively superior to the alternatives. If your goal is to pass a test at school, maybe it's not necessary. But if your goal is to actually understand math, START WITH PRECALCULUS BY STITZ AND ZEAGER

[Anonymous No.12334505]

>>12334441
> Anyway, start with Precaculus by Stitz and Zeager
I wanted to use this list and start with Gelfand. So much advice, I don't now what pick
> But if your goal is to actually understand math
Hm, it's my goal.
> START WITH PRECALCULUS BY STITZ AND ZEAGER
Ok, If this book is really that good, then I will read it.

[Anonymous No.12334528]

Khan Academy's mathematics progression tree is pretty good. Lots of videos and exercises to practice on.

[Anonymous No.12335764]

>>12334528
I second this

It's better than textbooks and you don't have to pay anything

[Anonymous No.12335775]

>>12335764
For linear algebra and calculus 3, only use it as an intro to the textbook. I would not recommend as a replacement.

[Anonymous No.12336102]

>>12334441
do you believe in God anon?

[Anonymous No.12336720]

>>12335764
> and you don't have to pay anything
I live in Russia. Anyway I do not pay for things like this. If I buying all games, books, etc in internet I would starve to death

[Anonymous No.12336793]

Not OP, but how do anons here "read" math textbooks? Do you take notes? Skim through once and then take notes? Just read and do exercises? I've always had trouble absorbing information in math lectures (usually just writing down whatever the professor said without comprehending), and I'm hardly any better when I try to self-study. Is it normal to feel like I don't really *get* it, even after doing the exercises successfully?

[Anonymous No.12336810]

>>12333774
Fuck books. You need to work your way up to books. Khan academy is more your speed. Look through a typical middle through highschool math curriculum and work through it on khan. Then you can start looking at books

[Anonymous No.12336900]

>>12336793
> Is it normal to feel like I don't really *get* it, even after doing the exercises successfully?
No. Do what helps you understand the topic.. If these are notes, take them. If this is a chapter reread, then reread. There is no universal advice, look for what will be best for you

[Anonymous No.12336936]

>>12333774
I started with Khan Academy. Literally with lecture one, preschool level math. I did this to make sure I filled in any holes in my knowedge. I just proceded through the lectures up through Algebra 1, and then I switched to the Great Courses lecture series from there up through Calc 3, which is where I currently am. Once I've finished all of their lecture series on all the other shit I've yet to finish (discrete math, number theory, linear algebra, and differential equations), I'll start more thoroughly investigating all of these matters via books to further refine my knowledge and gain more depth. I'll be sure to look into real and complex analysis as well. It worked/is working for me, so it can work for you. It's just a matter of studying and practicing a lot.

[Anonymous No.12338167]

>>12336102
I do.

[Anonymous No.12338185]

>>12336793
Read it and type notes. Not do many of the exercises, just focus on understanding the principles. Later on, will go back and do the exercises.
I think your problem is you do things the way the education system has brainwashed you to do things: Memorize methods to pass tests and get passing grades, as opposed to really understanding the material. Don't worry about memorizing stuff. You don't need to memorize formulas and equations. What you DO need is to understand the underlying ideas of what's going on and why.
If a formula is so important you need to memorize it, you'll be using it often enough that you'll memorize it without even trying to. For the rest, you can just reference a formula sheet whenever you need it.
Dive into offshoots and things like that. As in, if you're reading some proof and something intrigues you and isn't covered thoroughly enough, think about it. Ponder it. Move around numbers to see how exactly it works. Look it up online. Delve into stuff.
>>12336810
>speed
Don't worry about speed, focus on understanding the stuff. It's pointless to go the fast route. The fast route will teach you how to pass tests in school. It will NOT teach you how and why the math actually works. And if you want to UNDERSTAND math, you need to understand how and why it works.

[Anonymous No.12338197]

>>12336793
And to add on to my last reply,
>Is it normal to feel like I don't really *get* it, even after doing the exercises successfully?
Yes, it is normal to feel like that if you are just doing things the way they do it in school. Fuck memorization. Understanding>>>>>>>>memorizing

[Anonymous No.12338219]

>>12336936
>Literally with lecture one, preschool level math. I did this to make sure I filled in any holes in my knowledge.
High energy autism.

[Anonymous No.12338265]

>>12336936
Starting with pre-algebra should be enough and the best for anyone adult that happens to lack basic education. At least if made well like on openstax

[Anonymous No.12338422]

Good Thread. I'm also wanting to revise my maths as I'm planning on doing a foundation year for CS.

Very fascinated by the philosophical aspect of math and general history as well. Any specific resources for CS, Maths, Science, Philosophy, and Linguistics would be appreciated.

[Anonymous No.12338604]

I loved discovering and experimenting through exercises and applets

[Anonymous No.12338610]

>>12338604
*I also