Ok, so I want to teach myself higher mathematics. . .

[episodic]

Ok, so I have a good general math ability.

I want to learn higher math. I am familiar with math through a college algebra level understanding.

I took trig long ago, but honestly I remember little of it.

Can someone recommend some websites or cheap texts that would be good self study books?

What order do I need to learn higher math in?


I've seen the following classes offered:

Calculus 1, 2, and 3
Trig
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations


In the end of my studies, I'd like to have the same 'general knowledge' as someone with a BA in math.

Thanks!

 

[KLin]

42

 

[blackdogdeek]

they should indicate what prerequisites you need for each level.

most likely start with trig, then progress to calc 1, 2, then 3, followed by linear then finally diff eq.

 

[virtueixi]

Trig, then Cal 1,2,3.

 

[notfred]

Here's the requirements for a math major at my school. Read that and you'll be able to see what classes a person with a BA in math has taken.

 

[BigJ]

Trig, Calc 1, Calc 2, and then the remaining courses can be taken in any order, or at least thats how it is in my school.

 

[episodic]

Ok notfred's site says that linear algebra can be skipped with appropriate AP credit - so would linear algebra not need to be taken before cal 2 and cal 3?

 

[MichaelD]

Do you have a natural mathematical ability? I.E. did you BREEZE through and get a 100% average on all the math classes you've taken in your life?

It's a left-brain-right-brain thing. I'm horrible in anything but basic math. I can do mult/division in my head, but give me an Algebra word problem like:

Joe has nine apples. Cindy is a fast locomotive. If Joe tells Cindy he wants to hit it at 90mph, how many hours will it take until Pedro cuts the plexiglass?

And I cry like a little girl.

 

[episodic]

Wow, that is alot of classes notfred.

I guess I won't be able to self study that much.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Do you have a natural mathematical ability? I.E. did you BREEZE through and get a 100% average on all the math classes you've taken in your life?

It's a left-brain-right-brain thing. I'm horrible in anything but basic math. I can do mult/division in my head, but give me an Algebra word problem like:

Joe has nine apples. Cindy is a fast locomotive. If Joe tells Cindy he wants to hit it at 90mph, how many hours will it take until Pedro cuts the plexiglass?

And I cry like a little girl.

Actually I want a personal challenge. I've always had great difficulty with math, although once I get it, I do well. I think most of it comes from the "scratch it on the board once and erase it 2 seconds later while saying did ya get it? Fine. . ." - teachers out there.


I recently retook college algebra as an audit - just to actually understand it this time through, and found it enjoyable.

 

[notfred]

The prerequesite for Linear Algebra is just calc 1. And yes, it's a lot of classes.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
they should indicate what prerequisites you need for each level.

most likely start with trig, then progress to calc 1, 2, then 3, followed by linear then finally diff eq.

linear and diffeq can be taken in any order. personally, I found diffeq to be much easier than linear.

 

[RaDragon]

Originally posted by: episodic
Ok, so I want to teach myself higher mathematics. . .

Why?

 

[jurzdevil]

for all your limits needs check out the 1 = or != 0.99999.... thread

 

[her209]

Have fun with:

Probability
Number Theory
Applied Combinatorics

 

[ActuaryTm]

f(u) = 4u = good

 

[SpazzyChicken]

Stupid double post.

 

[SpazzyChicken]

Get yourself a Trig book and go through it. If you can understand/make it through the entire book without losing interest in it, then move on to calc 1.......and so on.........

That is kinda how I ended up with my math degree. My CS program basically required a minor in math, and I liked the math classes, so I just kept taking them. Ended up with a BS with a double major.

 

[jlee]

I have a college algebra book and a Ti86 kicking around..and I could use some cash..

 

[Syringer]

10x10 = ?

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Syringer
10x10 = ?

144

 

[Semidevil]

Originally posted by: Syringer
10x10 = ?

are you askig for the cross product? haha

anyways, you should take more abstract classes, not just computational based if you want to knw "higher math"

 

[Sukhoi]

There is nothing close to AP credit for REAL linear algebra.

 

[cronos]

Originally posted by: her209
Have fun with:

Probability
Number Theory
Applied Combinatorics

and then go on and study random walk --> markov chain. now *that's* fun

 

[agnitrate]

Just check out some universities' requirements for a math major to graduate.

The courses are generally divided by :

Calculus - I/II/III, Vector
Linear Algebra - I/II/etc
Real Analysis
Discrete Math
Modern Algebra
Geometry
Statistics

That's about all of the topics I can think of for undergrad studies. Math is fun :thumbsup:

-silver