Mathematics for the Adventurous Self-Learner (neilwithdata.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's six-year journey of self-studying mathematics, sharing their recommended books and resources for learning mathematics. The author emphasizes the importance of picking the right books with exercises and solutions, and also mentions the value of online courses and podcasts. The article provides a list of recommended books and resources for different topics in mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, and proofs. The author also shares their personal experience and tips for staying motivated and overcoming challenges in self-studying mathematics.

Main themes

• self-studying mathematics
• math resources and textbooks
• online learning platforms
• community and feedback
• learning strategies and motivation
• measurement and units
• math fundamentals and intuition

What commenters say

• Self-learners in math often struggle to get critical feedback on their work, which is essential for learning and improvement.
• Some people find that working through famous math textbooks with available solutions online can be helpful, while others prefer interactive proving and formal proof tools.
• The community aspect of some online learning platforms can be toxic and discouraging, while others find the courses and exercises helpful for building intuition and fundamentals.
• Drilling fundamentals with easy exercises in moments of low-quality time and periodic repetition over the long term can be an effective way to learn math, even with a busy schedule.
• Some resources, such as Khan Academy and OpenStax, are well-suited for self-study and provide a comprehensive introduction to various math topics.
• Others recommend finding a set of textbooks specifically written for self-study, such as those published by the Open University, which can provide a thorough and rigorous introduction to math.
• The suitability of certain units of measurement for everyday tasks, such as measuring the width of a desk, can be a matter of debate and depend on the context and purpose of the measurement.