Mathematics
by A. D Aleksandrov · first published 1965
87% recommend13% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Broad survey of most major branches of mathematics by prominent Soviet mathematicians, explaining context and the point of each topic without heavy proof rigor; suits self-learners wanting the big picture.
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"Mathematics : Its Content, Methods and Meaning" by A. D. Aleksandrov, A. N. Kolmogorov ,M. A. Lavrent'ev. (3 Volumes) This is a classic and exactly what you are seeking for. I think it was originally published in 1962. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/405880.Mathematics…
on “Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?” ↗Usually good books travel from English speaking world to other languages as translations. One of the masterpieces that has gone the opposite direction is: Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning (three volumes bound as one) by A. D. Aleksandrov, A. N. Kolmogorov, M. A. Lavrent'ev (18 authors total) http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Content-Methods-Meaning-Do... This book is really good companion…
on “A Software Engineer’s Adventures in Learning Mathematics” ↗There are absolutely non-boring mathematical books by Russian authors. In addition to already mentioned "Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning" by by A. D. Aleksandrov, A. N. Kolmogorov, M. A. Lavrentiev I would add "Elements Of Applied Mathematics" by YA. B. Zeldovich, A. D. Myskis [1]. The latter is really good introduction into math when…
on “Why do many math books have so much detail and so little enlightenment? (2010)” ↗Not the same type of book, but you could do a lot worse than reading through Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning, by M. A. Lavrent’ev, A. D. Aleksandrov, A. N. Kolmogorov. It's an amazing book which gives a mathematical (but not rigorous in the sense of proofs etc.) overview of most of mathematics. http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Content-Methods-Meaning-Do...
on “Ask HN: Math books like SICP?” ↗May I present one of the greatest math books for general audience: Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning by A. D. Aleksandrov, A. N. Kolmogorov, M. A. Lavrent’ev. http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Its-Content-Methods-Meanin... Math books rarely move from the Soviet Union to west, but this did and for really…
on “Great books about mathematics” ↗Assuming you are asking in general and not specifically Bourbaki authored; * Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning by Aleksandrov, Kolmogorov, Lavrentev * The Princeton Companion to Mathematics by Timothy Gowers et al. * The Princeton Companion to Applied Mathematics by Higham et al.
on “The Secret Math Society Known as Nicolas Bourbaki” ↗…And a few that you have to pay for: * The Princeton Companion to Mathematics, edited by Timothy Gowers: You probably already know about this one. It's an amazing opus that covers pure mathematics. * Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning by Aleksandrov, et al: Encyclopedia, in the form of a large collection of survey articles, by Soviet mathematicians in the mid-20th century. Strong on historical context. Highly regarded at the the time;…
on “Snapshots of modern mathematics from Oberwolfach” ↗This is one of the best I have found: Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning A. D. Aleksandrov, A. N. Kolmogorov, M. A. Lavrent'ev www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Content-Methods-Meaning-Dover/dp/0486409163/ The book gives historical contexts for the problem, prompts you to (try…
on “Math in Fiction – over 1000 short stories involving math or mathematicians” ↗Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning by Aleksandrov, Kolmogorov, and Lavrent'ev http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Content-Methods-Meaning-Do... Covers something like three years of an undergraduate degree in mathematics. Lots of words…
on “Ask HN: How or where to begin learning mathematics from first principles?” ↗…recommend, it really depends on your interests. For a broad overview at an undergraduate level, with a great job explaining the context of various mathematics topics, these Russian books from the 50s, Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning by Aleksandrov, Kolmogorov, and Lavrentiev, are pretty fun. Amazon link to the one-volume Dover reprint (but I’d recommend finding a used three-volume hardback copy): http://amzn.com/0486409163 Or check…
on “Will Our Understanding of Math Deteriorate Over Time?” ↗The authors of "What is Mathematics" are Richard Courant and Herbert Robbins. This one is good as well: "Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning" by Aleksandrov, Kolmogorov and Lavrent'ev (Dover publications). It's a big book covering a wide amount of topics.
on “Ask HN: How to Study Mathematics?” ↗Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning (3 Volumes in One) Paperback – by A. D. Aleksandrov, A. N. Kolmogorov, M. A. Lavrent’ev The best book.
on “Ask HN: Recommend a maths book for a teenager?” ↗When it comes to mathematical concepts- to understand everything broadly, connected to its context, and to understant "what's the point?", nothing tops this book- Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning (3 Volumes in One) by Aleksandrov, Kolmogorov, and Lavrentev [0]. [0]: https://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Content-Methods-Meaning-V...
on “History of Maths for Beginners” ↗…by Nicholas Higham et al. - The closest you have to a Modern Encyclopedia of Mathematics. You get unmatched breadth after which you can move on to dedicated books as needed. Well worth the money. 2) Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning by Aleksandrov, Kolmogorov et al. - Absolutely brilliant overview of Basic Mathematics. Published by Dover and hence very affordable. 3) Elements of Mathematics: From Euclid to Gödel by John Stillwell…
on “Basic Math Textbook: The Napkin Project” ↗> Russian books doing this. Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning by A.D. Aleksandrov, A.N. Kolomogorov, M.A. Lavrent’ev,.. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/405880.Mathematics It's still a masterpiece. Originally published in 1962 in 3 volumes. The English translation…
on “Calculus for Mathematicians, Computer Scientists, and Physicists [pdf]” ↗