Burn math class
by Jason Wilkes · first published 2016
69% recommend23% neutral8% critical
Why HN recommends it
An unconventional, idea-first tour of mathematics that rebuilds concepts from basics like arithmetic and calculus. It suits adult learners and anyone seeking a less intimidating view of advanced math.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The author focuses on how mathematics is created rather than on mathematical facts and teaches the subject without requiring memorization or any mathematical knowledge beyond basic computation.
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Mentions per year
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For a truly "from scratch" and deeply empowering introduction to the basic notions in calculus (and all mathematics), I've found nothing better than Burn Math Class[1] by Jason Wilkes. It assumes nothing but basic arithmetic, and proceeds to guide you through how to invent maths for yourself. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Math-Class-Reinvent-Mathematics/...
on “Calculus For The People” ↗Burn Math Class by Jason Wilkes is interesting.
on “Ask HN: Serious mathematics books that can replace a good teacher?” ↗I am reading " Burn Math Class: And Reinvent Mathematics for Yourself from Jason Wilkes ". Its pretty good.
on “A Good Year for “A Programmer’s Introduction to Mathematics”” ↗You could check out Burn Math Class: https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Math-Class-Reinvent-Mathematics/... or Calculus Made Easy: https://www.math.wisc.edu/~keisler/keislercalc-09-04-19.pdf
on “Ask HN: Recommend a maths book for a teenager?” ↗Seconded. also consider Lockhart's "Arithmetic". Bear in mind. These are both non-orthodox style books. Burn Math Class least orthodox. An orthodox approach to Analysis would be Terence Tao's Analysis books. Further recommendations depend on your specific goals.
on “Ask HN: Serious mathematics books that can replace a good teacher?” ↗There's a really good book called Burn Math Class which highlights this fact very well, and actually helps with the learning process, making advanced math less intimidating.
on “The dirty secret of mathematics: We make it up as we go along (2018)” ↗Also the book Burn Math Class.
on “How to Study Mathematics (2017)” ↗…recommendation. As an adult learning mathematics I'm half way through "Mathematics Rebooted" by Lara Alcock and I really like it so far. It's a good read to complement school books, video lectures and Khan Academy. Burn Math Class seems like a great candidate to be next on my math reading list.
on “Calculus For The People” ↗…I've been investigating recent books with different approaches to calculus (trying to build a free online course that empowers people in maths). Here are some other books I can recommend/mention: [0] "Burn Math Class: And Reinvent Mathematics for Yourself" Goes from 1+1 all the way to derivatives and integrals. My favorite work of math demystification and pedagogy. [1] "Calculus Reordered: A History of the Big Ideas"…
on “Calculus for the Curious” ↗…arithmetic from left to right. Also has some good stuff about decimals/fractions/percents as well as checksums. Being quick with arithmetic and getting that number sense makes everything else easier. * Burn Math Class. Gives an appropriate viewpoint for a lot of math. Gets a little whacky as it goes on, but the core ideas should help you take ownership of math. * ... gap not sure what to put in ... Maybe Precalculus…
on “Mathematics for the Adventurous Self-Learner” ↗…break that cycle in themselves and other people. But, if I'm misunderstanding his point, please make me aware. David Foster Wallace is someone that other people I respect show respect to (Jason Wilkes in Burn Math Class), but this speech left me puzzled.
on “This Is Water – David Foster Wallace” ↗…rather than... actual math. But that's not a problem with the symbols themselves so much as with their use to obfuscate what's actually being done mathematically. You might be interested in the book Burn Math Class by Jason Wilkes [1]. I don't really recall what his arguments against symbols were. He ends up inventing his own notation as he goes along (which is what ultimately turned me off the book about halfway…
on “Why does `True == False is False` evaluate to False in Python? (2013)” ↗…concise, and most importantly understandable. Now comes the new kind of books which try a different approach to the subject at hand. They try to give more understanding that anything else. I only read "Burn Math Class" by Jason Wilkes and "Math, Better Explained" by Kalid Azad. These books lack exercises, which are, in my opinion, as important as understanding. But one doesn't work without the other. As for the future…
on “Ask HN: How to self-learn math?” ↗That sounds like something taken from the book: Burn Math Class. There is always f(b) > f(a) <=> f increases in [a, b] or f(b) /= f(a) <=> f changes in [a,b]. But how useful is that?
on “Cantor function, a.k.a. devil's staircase” ↗