No bullshit guide to linear algebra
by Ivan Savov · first published 2017
79% recommend16% neutral5% critical
Why HN recommends it
A conversational, gradually built introduction to linear algebra with plenty of practice problems and an applications section. Suits self-learners and those weak in math who want intuition.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…transformations, representations, vector spaces, matrix methods, etc. Linear algebra knowledge and intuition is key to all things ML, probably even more important than calculus. Book plug: I wrote the "No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra" which is a compact little brick that reviews high school math (for anyone who is "rusty" on the basics), covers all the standard LA topics, and also introduces dozens of applications. Check the extended…
on “Learning Math for Machine Learning” ↗…condensed review of high school math, followed by mechanics (PHYS 101) and calculus (CALC I and II). It's not as rigorous as other more proof-oriented textbooks, but it still covers all the material. The No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra [2] is all about linear algebra and also includes three chapters on applications, so you'll learn the fundamental ideas but also what they are used for IRL. Both books come with exercises and problem…
on “How to Study Mathematics (2017)” ↗…math review done and solved some exercises and problems, you'll be in good shape for the other two books in the series No Bullshit Guide to Math & Physics, which covers mechanics and calculus, and the No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra. You can easily find links if you search for them and see reviews on the amazons.
on “Higher Math for Beginners (1987)” ↗The No Bullshit Guide To Linear Algebra.
on “Ask HN: What technical books are you reading?” ↗Speaking of books, my No bullshit guide to linear algebra is almost ready. Anyone taking a linear algebra class with $15 in their pocket should sign up for the prerelease: http://bit.ly/18xPbs9 It starts from the basics and gets to quantum mechanics by then…
on “A Geometric Review of Linear Algebra [pdf]” ↗…a brick but it covers 2000 years of knowledge! http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Content-Methods-Meaning-Do... For first-year stuff, I would recommend No bullshit guide to math and physics[1] and the No bullshit guide to linear algebra[2] of which I am the author. [1] http://minireference.com/ [2] http://gum.co/noBSLA
on “Ask HN: Math books like SICP?” ↗…can check my book No Bullshit Guide to Math & Physics: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0992001005/ Extended preview here: https://minireference.com/static/excerpts/noBSguide_v5_previ... There is also the No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra https://www.amazon.com/dp/0992001021/ Extended preview: https://minireference.com/static/excerpts/noBSguide2LA_previ... Both come with a review of high school math topics, which may or may not be useful…
on “Ask HN: Are there books for mathematics like Feynman's lectures on physics?” ↗I think you might like my book, the No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra. It doesn't focus on the proofs, and instead gives lots of intuition and applications. You can check the reviews on amazon, and here is a link to a PDF with a few sample chapters: https://minireference.com/static/excerpts/noBSguide2LA_previ...…
on “My story as a self-taught AI researcher” ↗There is the No bullshit guide to linear algebra by Ivan Savov. https://www.amazon.com/No-bullshit-guide-linear-algebra/dp/0...
on “Calculus Made Easy (1914) [pdf]” ↗Personally I liked the No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra. It kind of builds up things slowly and in a conversational manner, but you can also skip thru pretty quickly if you just need a reference. I don't think I've been able to find any particularly good…
on “Ask HN: Best beginner friendly linear algebra book?” ↗…(https://www.math.brown.edu/~treil/papers/LADW/LADW.html) His book has a lot of applications, and has been written as a response to Axler's book, which does not (even though I think that Axler's way is the best). Finally, No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra tries to do exactly what you want: the presentation aims to be (I)here's a concept (II)here's a real-world application The book is here: https://gumroad.com/l/noBSLA, $29 (I found out about this book…
on “Linear Algebra Done Right Video Series” ↗The No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra https://gumroad.com/l/noBSLA#
on “Linear Algebra for AI” ↗Very cool, I like title of the associated book "No Bullshit Guide To Linear Algebra" too. Does anyone know of a nice, short summary of discrete mathematics to go along with this?
on “Linear algebra tutorial in four pages” ↗…BULLSHIT guide to MATH & PHYSICS is a 3-in-1 combo book that includes a high school math review, mechanics, and calculus. Preview: https://minireference.com/static/excerpts/noBSguide_v5_previ... The NO BULLSHIT guide to LINEAR ALGEBRA covers all the standard LA material, and also discusses lots of interesting applications (graphs, graphics, crypto, quantum computing). Preview: https://minireference.com/static/excerpts/noBSguide2LA_previ...…
on “Book: Mathematics for Machine Learning” ↗Everyone loves: 3Blue1Brown, Khan Academy, No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra, Linear Algebra Done Right
on “A Visual, Intuitive Guide to Imaginary Numbers (2007)” ↗