(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best elemetary mathematics books

this book

I have taught precalc for years and this book is absolutely the best I've seen. Yeah, the comments on Amazon complain about the price and also about the never changing content between editions, but the content is the best pedagogical design in a Mathematics text available (IMO) including most higher level texts. Very clear, tons of great examples, and excellent preparatory foundation for calculus and beyond.

An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics is an excellent and easy to read book:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1108422160/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_omrWBbDYB9MN3

It's commonly used for introductory Astrophysics courses. If you don't have a basic understanding of Calculus it won't make much sense so, if you really want to properly understand the subject, first study basic Calculus. A good introductory Calculus book would be this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1285740629/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JdsWBbH1KXPAN.

You're also going to want a basic understanding of Physics so one more for that:

University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321973615/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_LfsWBbHJ83MT6

Those three books together should give you a basic understanding of Astrophysics and put your feet solidly on the road to further understanding. Read the Calculus book first (at least the first half of it or so) and then the Physics book. Then you'll be ready to dive into Carroll and Ostlie's book!

If you don't want to go quite that deep and you just want a really basic overview of the subject, you might consider finding Hawking's "A Briefer History of Time" or watching the PBS SpaceTime series in YouTube.

Edit: If the Calculus book is still a little unclear, your issue probably lies in Algebra. In that case, read this book before any of the others:

College Algebra (10th Edition)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321979478/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MqsWBbR985C30

Good luck on your journey! Give yourself at least a year or two to get through all of them and don't forget to work the problems!

Oh - download Kerbal Space Program and play it for a while. Trust me on this; you'll develop a second sense of basic orbital mechanics ;)

Some excellent starting books for the above subjects is as follows:

Pre-Calculus by Cynthia Y. Young:

https://www.amazon.com/Precalculus-Cynthia-Y-Young/dp/0471756849

Provides an excellent summary of elementary Algebra up to starting concepts of calculus, such as the difference quotient, etc.

Campbell Biology (10th edition):

https://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Biology-10th-Jane-Reece/dp/0321775651/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483427728&sr=1-4&keywords=Biology

Covers pretty much every form of Biology you'll cover throughout your middle school/high school days, up to freshman year of university.

Chemistry 9th Edition: by Steven S. Zumdahl (Author), Susan A. Zumdahl (Author):

https://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Steven-S-Zumdahl/dp/1133611095/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483427816&sr=1-12&keywords=Chemistry

A bit more complex, however once you've gained a grasp of Biology/Algebra, this is a fine novel illustrating all the workings of chemistry you'll cover throughout high-school-freshman year university.

That's all I can really recommend as of now. I'm inclined to believe you're 1-2 grades ahead of your peers, and it shouldn't be too long until you finish up basic arithmetic, and starting learning higher maths. If you intend to develop a higher understanding of these fields, seriously try these books out.

Despite their expense, if you can find a way to rent, study, and complete them, you're basically set til' college.

Also know that these books are the most recent editions of their respective categories: These books are used in a multitude of schools/universities, not just random textbooks delving into irrelevant subjects: Nearly everything encapsulated within them is pertinent.

Example of an email being sent out based on this conversation. I always say you can always learn something from someone new every day. The mindset just needs to be focused on the bigger picture.

Last week, someone messaged me and asked, “I read your book, what else should I do?”


At that point, I smiled and made myself some coffee. That night, after I'd gone to see a great movie, I responded: “First tell me what you're doing now with the book you already have.”


Like this message from one of our readers:


Hi Jack, I recently finished the Fractions Mini Workbook.  I wanted to understand more about decimals and was wondering if you could recommend any good books on that!


                                               -------Thanks a bunch.

​

This is a magical moment. A fork in the road and the conversation can go one of two ways:


Path 1: “I've worked through a lot of problem sets.  I'm comfortable with working through fractions problems.  When I try to do simple fractions problems, I usually get the right answer.”


Path 2:  "The main thing I have done so far is ordered some workbooks but I really haven't finished the exercises in them.  I did a few of the problems but gave up.  I still feel like a lost puppy when it comes to fractions.  It seems like I understand while I'm reading the explanations, but when I start to solve the problems on my own, I get stuck."

​

Translation of Path 2: "I haven't spent enough time on the basics.  And I need to focus more on these concepts before moving to a more advanced topic."

​

Guys, beware of looking to the next best thing instead of doing the work. This can apply to other areas of life:

• Buying more tools instead of learning how to use the ones you have
  
• Buying cookbooks before you master basic dishes
  
• Researching super-advanced diets without mastering portion control or counting calories
  
• Practicing alley-oops before getting basic footwork down
  
  I’m not against advanced material for anyone who is ready.  But for some of us, what’s in my book should be just fine, and it’s exactly the best place to start.

I had to deal with the no internet thing for some time.
Find some place with free wi-fi(you are using phone?).
Download ebook/pdf reader, FBreader + PDF plugin is good (Assuming that you are using Android phone).
Install Firefox and this add-on Save Page WE, it also work for phones (tested with Android).

Then you can save pages from some of these web sites or Wikipedia:

• mathsisfun
  
  
• purplemath
  
  
• sosmath
  
  
• tutorial.math.lamar
  
  
• themathpage
  
  
  
  
  
  Poor man's library:
  
  http://gen.lib.rus.ec/
  http://b-ok.org/
  https://archive.org/
  
  Some books:
  
  [Harold Jacobs - Elementary Algebra] (https://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Algebra-Harold-R-Jacobs/dp/0716710471) (that's the most friendly and still not bullshit introduction I was able to find)
  
  [Basic Mathematics by Serge Lang] (https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Mathematics-Serge-Lang/dp/0387967877) - Make sure that you understand the first 100-150 pages from the first book if you want to start this one.
  
  Precalculus by David Cohen - Lang's Basic Mathematics is harder (and much more interesting) than this...
  
  Use the three web sites written above to download them. PDF for better performance (and some times quality) on cheap phone, epub/djvu for the smaller size.
  
  I think that free wi-fi will be easy to find. Reading books wouldn't be like watching videos but you will actually learn more. Compass, straightedge and protractor would be really useful.
  

I'm a math tutor to junior- and senior-high school kids. Universally, everyone I work with always says the same thing before we even sit down: "I'm terrible at math!"

My response is always the following: "You're not bad at math; math is just a lot more challenging than you need it to be right now."

If you can manage to stop thinking of it as something you're "terrible at" and start thinking of it as something you "haven't learned how to do very well yet", that would be a very good start.

I understand that you didn't get a good foundation due to home-schooling, but where exactly does that leave you, in terms of your skill level? What is the highest level of math you feel comfortable working with or could do in your head? This info would help me to offer you some solutions or ideas on where to begin. In any event, you should definitely pick up a copy of this book, because it will show you exactly what you need to know to get a decent score in that section of the SAT.

I am in the exact same boat, busy with second year discrete math and linear algebra but wanted to brush up on precalc before doing calc 1. I bought Shelder Axlers precalculus book, https://www.amazon.com/Precalculus-Prelude-Calculus-Sheldon-Axler/dp/047064804X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1503080887&sr=1-2&keywords=Precalculus%3A+A+Prelude+to+Calculus

It is rather concise which makes it perfect for revision but the best part is it contains worked out solutions, not just the answer to add problems like most books.

This is a tough one, but have you considered something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Calculus-Dummies-Yang-Kuang/dp/1118168887/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482192354&sr=8-2&keywords=precalculus

Send me a PM if you have further questions, I'd love to help.

(Tutored SAT students for 3 years)


I'm not sure what level you're at but I would go through Barron's Math, Reading, and Writing Workbooks as an excellent foundational.


I've yet to find better books for Math. Writing is better than other books as well. The Critical reading book is a little iffy because I've had a few problems with the agreeing with the answer key.

How about learning to meditate in a way to tune out the sermon?

It might take a lot of work and practise but will be a fantastically useful skill for the rest of your life.

Maybe better than the passive approach of wearing earphones or earplugs or the self-destructive approach of getting stoned. This is actually doing something positive for yourself, even if it's hard work.

Start learning to meditate at home and introduce it bit by bit at church.

You might even be able to start doing something really useful, like maths problems in your head after a while and able to ignore the priest drone on.

Die kleine Raupe Nimmersatt - ideal for a 3-year old because it will teach them the days of the week, some fruit and basic counting. My three year old nephew loves it so much he actually knows the content by heart now.

These are listed in the order I'd recommend reading them. Also, I've purposely recommended older editions since they're much cheaper and still as good as newer ones. If you want the latest edition of some book, you can search for that and get it.

The Humongous Book of Basic Math and Pre-Algebra Problems https://www.amazon.com/dp/1615640835/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pHZdzbHARBT0A


Intermediate Algebra https://www.amazon.com/dp/0072934735/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UIZdzbVD73KC9


College Algebra https://www.amazon.com/dp/0618643109/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hKZdzb3TPRPH9


Trigonometry (2nd Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/032135690X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_eLZdzbXGVGY6P


Reading this whole book from beginning to end will cover calculus 1, 2, and 3.
Calculus: Early Transcendental Functions https://www.amazon.com/dp/0073229733/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PLZdzbW28XVBW

You can do LinAlg concurrently with calculus.
Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction (Available 2011 Titles Enhanced Web Assign) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0538735457/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dNZdzb7TPVBJJ

You can do this after calculus. Or you can also get a book that's specific to statistics (be sure to get the one requiring calc, as some are made for non-science/eng students and are pretty basic) and then another book specific to probability. This one combines the two.
Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences https://www.amazon.com/dp/1305251806/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QXZdzb1J095Y1


Differential Equations with Boundary-Value Problems, 8th Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1111827060/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sSZdzbDKD0TQ9



After doing all of the above, you'd have the equivalent most engineering majors have to take. You can go further by exploring partial diff EQs, real analysis (which is usually required by math majors for more advanced topics), and an intro to higher math which usually includes logic, set theory, and abstract algebra.

If you want to get into higher math topics you can use this fantastic book on the topic:

This book is also available for free online, but since you won't have internet here's the hard copy.
Book of Proof https://www.amazon.com/dp/0989472108/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MUZdzbP64AWEW

From there you can go on to number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, numerical analysis, higher geometries, algorithms, more in depth in modern algebra, topology and so on. Good luck!

When I first started prepping for the CSET Math subtest I and II, I used test prep materials. However, I wasn't able to pass the test the first time. I have a decent background in fundamental math concepts, but I had a difficult time putting everything together when I used the prep materials. Instead, I studied textbooks. It took more time to study those but I felt that I understand math better and would be a better math teacher.

I could recommend these books:

https://smile.amazon.com/SCHOOL-COMMON-ALGEBRA-STUDENT-GRADE/dp/0133281167/ref=pd_sbs_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0133281167&pd_rd_r=E7JVSQ0QCFZT8BCHEBV8&pd_rd_w=LJzxB&pd_rd_wg=w3Bh9&psc=1&refRID=E7JVSQ0QCFZT8BCHEBV8

https://smile.amazon.com/Precalculus-5th-Robert-F-Blitzer/dp/0321837347/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500859470&sr=1-7&keywords=precalculus

1. Go on Amazon, get a previous edition pre-calculus book, and work through the problems.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/0495392766/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all
   
   
2. Also on Amazon 'Pre-calculus in a Nutshell'
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1592441300/
   
   
3. Khan Academy
   
   https://www.khanacademy.org/math/precalculus
   
   But, I assure you, you'll almost certainly have better luck in a structured class.
   
   
   
   

I agree you guys might like project euler, but I'm not really sure it fits what you were looking for since you aren't really solving long equations. OP, I'd maybe recommend working through some hobbyist math problem books together, there are lots of books to find on amazon for very cheap. A classic, though more insight and less computation driven, is the Stanford Math Problems Book but you might want to look at the recreational math books listed on that page. From that page you can view lots of similar books and maybe find a better one more fit for your interests.

Here are all the local Amazon links I could find:


amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

amazon.com.au

amazon.in

amazon.com.mx

amazon.de

amazon.it

amazon.es

amazon.com.br

amazon.nl

amazon.co.jp

amazon.fr

Beep bloop. I'm a bot to convert Amazon ebook links to local Amazon sites.
I currently look here: amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.com.au, amazon.in, amazon.com.mx, amazon.de, amazon.it, amazon.es, amazon.com.br, amazon.nl, amazon.co.jp, amazon.fr, if you would like your local version of Amazon adding please contact my creator.

The following are all really good and all very different. Check out the reviews and decide what fits you best. If I had to pick only one, I would pick one of the first three listed.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471530123

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592577229

http://www.amazon.com/The-Humongous-Book-Calculus-Problems/dp/1592575129

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0817636773

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0760706603

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZEC19Y

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0070293317

A lot of the suggestions on here (or at least as far down as I bothered reading) are for videos and such. For books, I have used the Barrons "... the Easy Way" series. They go from Math the Easy Way on up to algebra, geometry, trig, etc. I found them very helpful.

Can't exactly say. At your age the reality is that the workforce tends to be stacked against you, especially since you currently don't have an associates degree or prior professional experience in the field you're wishing to switch to.

Dev is slightly easier to get into besides administration as Dev is simply about what you can produce, whereas administration is more experience prone and tends to pay less on top of it.

Since you're interested in Computer Science, I would suggest the following books as I went through them while I attended university:

https://www.amazon.com/Computer-Science-Overview-Glenn-Brookshear/dp/0132569035

https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Computation-Programming-Using-Python/dp/0262525003

https://www.amazon.com/Scripting-Objects-Comparative-Presentation-Object-Oriented/dp/047039725X

https://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Trigonometry-James-Stewart/dp/1305071743

https://www.amazon.com/Concrete-Mathematics-Foundation-Computer-Science/dp/0201558025

https://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html

Basically anything off this: https://wiki.installgentoo.com/images/d/d7/1420500175412.jpg

I am pretty sure I just found the book quickly on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Trigonometry-Robert-F-Blitzer-ebook/dp/B00AQXMPJA/ref=mt_kindle?_encoding=UTF8&me=

pre-cal: http://www.amazon.com/Precalculus-5th-Edition-Robert-Blitzer/dp/0321837347

calculus: http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Ron-Larson/dp/1285057090

James Stewart: 5th Edition