Ask HN: Which math book(s) did you learn the most from?

10 pointsggr23422y ago4 comments

Which math book(s)/textbook(s) were the most valuable to you knowledge and skill development wise? In a sense, making even more math topics much more easier for you to understand.

Like, for me, Spivak's Calculus and Hubbard and Hubbard's Linear Algebra + Multivariable Calculus literally gave me wings. I began visualising problems in terms of matrices and transformations. Later I read Jaynes Probability Theory with much more ease. Because I got into thinking mathematically.

4 comments

akasakahakada2y ago

I don't think there exist any book qualified as "textbook" except this one. Discrete Math by Oscar Levin.

https://discrete.openmathbooks.org/dmoi3/

No left as exercise bullshit, no prove yourself bullshit, etc. Everything is explained thoughtfully and multiple times in the book, to ensure the readers really get the idea of the subject.

in92y ago

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34439828

okl2y ago

Not really a math book but I really enjoyed "Genius At Play", a biography of John H. Conway.

Also anything from Raymond Smullyan (logic musings/riddles).

kleer0012y ago

None. I learned the most from passionate and personable professors.

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