OT: Math

by **deimos** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:38 pm

I'm looking for a couple book recommendations for conceptual/nonrigorous/philosophical discussion of low-to-medium level math topics (multivariable calculus, vector analysis, complex analysis, differential equations, etc.), to help develop a stronger mathematical intuition to go along with the procedural instruction I'm receiving. I'm betting a few of you nerds have read math books for pleasure. Gimme what you got.

by **Jediluke** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 9:19 pm

Drak....Lothar??

by **melvin** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 9:41 pm

Chicka Chicka 1 2 3 is one i liked

by **Drakona** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 10:37 pm

Light reading for 200-400 level analysis . . . I can't think of anything right off. The light reading math stuff I can think of is all much more basic than that. Sorry.

That's pretty core stuff. Just take it head on.

I don't actually have a lot of exposure to math books for non-mathematicians. The math books I read for fun (or at least, I used to, it's been a while, nowadays I play brutal DCL matches for fun) are textbooks with proofs on fun topics, and are most definitely not what you're looking for.

by **deimos** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:17 am

"Just be smarter" is Drak's answer.

by **Drakona** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 2:28 am

Well, I mean... that's like a year's worth of core classes for an undergrad math major. They're core classes because the ideas are difficult and important and forever change how you think. I'm sure attempts have been made, but there's only so easy it's going to get. The textbooks try to make it easy and there's clearly only so much they can do. Teachers put a lot of effort into making math as easy as possible, and it's still very hard, and no one apologizes for that. That's why it's worthwhile.

But um, basically, yeah. I've never looked for or read a light philosophical introduction to complex analysis because I know math isn't like that. You take the dang class and struggle really hard and spend the sixteen weeks getting smarter every day until you are master of concepts you can't explain to anyone who hasn't also mastered them. That's math. That's how it works.

If there were a companion to the textbook that would make the process easier, everyone would require the students to read it. I doubt there is. I doubt there can be. There might be picture and trivia books intended to entertain people who don't really need to understand, but I have no idea how you'd go about writing cliff notes for a serious math class.

... you taking all that at once?

by **deimos** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 1:27 pm

I get it; I appreciate your comments. It'll come as I work through it.

No, I only have calc 4 right now, math-wise. My EE requirements leave only differential equations and linear algebra, which I'll be taking over the next two quarters. Thing is, I like the math even though it's difficult and doesn't really come naturally to me, and I don't want to be done with it after just these three remaining classes. The whole reason I started taking classes again was that I didn't want to be a grown man who didn't know calculus, and one thing led to another. I might take more even though they're not on the program list, or, I dunno, switch majors. But I don't really think I'm cut out for a math major either.

Anyway, thanks for the perspective. I wasn't looking for a book to do it for me, just something to explain implications and make connections that I might not have the holistic vision to make on my own.

by **Drakona** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 1:58 pm

Man, that's awesome! Double E! Cool!

Linear is just plain mind blowing, but it isn't actually difficult. Most fun thing on your list IMO, but I really don't think there's a conceptual shortcut.

Diff EQ is kind of the exact opposite. At least for engineering, it's more like "techniques for puzzle solving" than it is conceptually difficult. Kind of like the day to day homework of integral calculus. A little harder, but not incredibly much so.

You'll be fine.

by **LotharBot** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 2:35 pm

My favorite Linear book is by Gilbert Strang. You can get the slightly-older 3rd edition, shipped, for 10 bucks used on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... dition=all ). He does a pretty good job of talking conceptually instead of just algorithms for modifying matrices.

by **deimos** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 6:25 pm

Cool, thanks Lothar; I'll check it out when I'm actually in linear next quarter.

Thanks for the encouragement, Drak.