Concepts of modern mathematics
by Ian Stewart · first published 1975
100% recommend
Why HN recommends it
Prose overview of modern mathematics that needs only elementary algebra, with friendly introductions to groups, number theory and other areas; suits readers wanting background or intuition before undergraduate study.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
ix, 315 p. : 18 cm
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…of Mathematics" by Boyer - And of course, the internet. 3. Read a few "big picture" books side-by-side. A few suggestions: - "Foundations and Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics" by Howard Eves - "Concepts of Modern Mathematics" by Ian Stewart 4. IMHO - and this is just my preference - study application of Mathematics to Physics and Engineering. Physics especially was an inspiration for a lot of Mathematics, and in addition,…
on “Ask HN: How Do I Get Math?” ↗…secondary school algebra and geometry, taking an advanced mathematics summer course. Books that I found helpful for understanding mathematics when my oldest son, a mathematics-lover, was growing up include Concepts of Modern Mathematics by Ian Stewart (Dover reprint) Numbers and Geometry by John Stillwell (Springer) Vision in Elementary Mathematics by W. W. Sawyer (Dover reprint) The Art of Problem Solving by Sandor Lehoczky and Richard…
on “Ask HN: Books for Parents of Mathematics-Loving Children?” ↗…and Graphs by Gelfand et al. - A small but great book to develop intuition. * Who is Fourier? A Mathematical Adventure - A great "manga type" book to build important concepts from first principles * Concepts of Modern Mathematics by Ian Stewart - A nice overview in simple language. * Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning by Kolmogorov et al. - A broad but concise presentation of a lot of mathematics. * Methods of Mathematics…
on “Ask HN: Recommend a maths book for a teenager?” ↗…Topics in Contemporary Math by Bello, Britton, and Kaul). As for the rest, some of my favorites: - Warner, Pure Mathematcis for Beginners - Devlin, Introduction to Mathematical Thinking - Stewart, Concepts of Modern Mathematics - Herrmann, Sally, Number, Shape, and Symmetry - Baylis, What is Mathematical Analysis? - Feil, Krone, Essential Discrete Math for Computer Science - Rotman, A First Course in Abstract Algebra with…
on “Higher Math for Beginners (1987)” ↗You might find the couple of books that i mention in my other comments here useful; Concepts of Modern Mathematics by Ian Stewart - https://store.doverpublications.com/products/9780486284248 Elements of Mathematics: From Euclid to Gödel by John Stillwell - https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691171685/el...…
on “Six Math Essentials” ↗Some favorites about mathematics: Concepts of Modern Mathematics by Ian Stewart http://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Modern-Mathematics-Ian-Stewar... Numbers and Geometry by John Stillwell. http://www.amazon.com/Numbers-Geometry-John-Stillwell/dp/038... The Pleasures…
on “Ask HN: Books That Gratify One's Intellectual Curiosity?” ↗Concepts of Modern Mathematics http://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Modern-Mathematics-Ian-Stewar...
on “Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?” ↗…http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Short-Introduction-Timothy... I agree with the recommendation of An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning in this thread. Another participant has already recommended my favorite for background reading, Concepts of Modern Mathematics by Ian Stewart. http://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Modern-Mathematics-Ian-Stewar... Get that right away. Sawyer's A Mathematician's Delight is surely also good (I've read other books by Sawyer). http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0486462404/…
on “Ask HN: Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?” ↗…which were recommended to me by parents of other children with similar activity backgrounds. For access to a lot of mathematical concepts at a reasonable reading level, not at all expensive, I recommend Concepts of Modern Mathematics by Ian Stewart. http://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Modern-Mathematics-Ian-Stewar... Ian Stewart is a mathematician who loves to write popular writings on mathematics, and you can hardly go wrong with anything…
on “Ask HN: What books would you give a 16-year old interested in Math?” ↗To get better intuition without a math degree I'd recommend: Concepts of Modern Mathematics which only requires elementary algebra, but will give you great intro treatments of everything from groups to number theory. http://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Modern-Mathematics-Ian-Stewar...
on “Mistake found in invariant subspace proof” ↗I would recommend 'Concepts of Modern Mathematics' [1], by Ian Stewart. It has some very nice illustrations and humor, and reminds me of 'Learn You A Haskell For Great Good' (though I believe CoMM came out before LYaH). It's a wonderful preview of a…
on “What is it like to be a mathematician?” ↗…it. Once you have the mathematical momentum from that you will probably be able to learn whatever math you need to. A couple of books that helped me to find a direction were Mathematical Ideas[1] and Concepts of Modern Mathematics[2], which cover many different areas with just enough depth to give you a feel for each. If you are wanting to learn math solely for CS I would also recommend something like Schaum's Outline of Discrete…
on “Ask HN: What actually goes into learning math? I don't know where to start.” ↗…algorithms) but of course in much more detail with much harder problems. To understand the first few hundred pages on mathematical preliminaries, the books "The Art and Craft of Problem Solving" by Zeitz and "Concepts of Modern Mathematics" by Stewart, were essential, both of which were recommended here in other book list posts. I also had already read the CS:APP book which covers x86-64 assembly so the MIX introduction was fairly straight…
on “The most mentioned books on Stack Overflow” ↗…that I'm wanting to learn it in a way where I can do proofs. So, I have general-purpose books and stuff for that. I just ordered the three books I've seen pop up the most. Although 2 are in the mail, Concepts of Modern Mathematics by Stewart just got here yesterday. It had an awesome opening that made me wish the math I was taught in school was done like this back when I went. Makes newer stuff make a lot more sense, too. I included…
on “Ask HN: How to self-learn math?” ↗…After this is when you enter undergraduate studies and you have to fight the dragon of "Modern Maths" which is more abstract and conceptual. In addition to standard textbooks; i suggest the following; 1) Concepts of Modern Mathematics - https://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Modern-Mathematics-Dover-Boo... 2) Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning - https://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Modern-Mathematics-Dover-Boo... 3) Mathematical Techniques…
on “Ask HN: Best way to relearn basic math?” ↗