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Maths

Stig
Posts: 29,024
I always like to learn something new and have decided it's time I learnt Calculus and Algebra. I knew enough to pass my Maths O level many years ago, but whatever I knew has since departed the old grey matter. Now, I don't even know the difference between Calculus and Algebra.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.
2
Comments
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I've been watching an inordinate amount of numberblocks with my son lately.5
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I’m currently studying ACCA, I’m on paper 9 of 13, paper 9 is financial management, there is plenty of algebra involved.
Despite already failing this exam and studying towards the retake I am actually enjoying it, using algebra to work out optimum capital levels and order quantities for businesses.
Apparently this stuff is used by treasures managers/accountants involved in investments, so the old saying that “what use is algebra when you leave school!” is actually nonsense!5 -
FishCostaFortune said:I've been watching an inordinate amount of numberblocks with my son lately.1
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For Calculus, I'd recommend Robert Adams & Christopher Essex's Calculus: A complete course, usually you can find some older editions for a couple of quid on Ebay. Thick heavy book but very comprehensive. Also recommend William E. Boyce and Richard C. DiPrima, Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems as a second option. Calculus is split between differential and integral calculus, and this book covers the former. Differential calculus is used to find the rate of change of a quantity, whereas integral calculus finds the quantity when you know it's rate of change.
For Algebra, you'd need to know which branch of Maths you are thinking about. There's Linear Algebra which covers vector spaces and linear mappings, or Abstract Algebra, which covers Groups, Rings and Fields. I found Linear Algebra much easier to study so would recommend that over Abstract. Linear Algebra by Seymour Lipschutz and Marc Lipson is a good one for that, as it's full of worked solutions which are hard to find open source. They also have a similar book on Vector Calculus if that becomes of interest.
If you're interested in Abstract Algebra I'd start with C.W.Norman, Undergraduate Algebra: A First Course and J.J.Rotman, A First Course in Abstract Algebra. Not sure how easy they are to get hold off as only ever checked them out a library, but they were helpful. Will add some more later with things that aren't just books. Recommend Mathologer on YouTube (and Flammable Maths for some interesting/strange worked problems), but would avoid Numberphile who felt it was OK to "prove" that the sum of every positive number equaled -1/12
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BR7_addick said:I’m currently studying ACCA, I’m on paper 9 of 13, paper 9 is financial management, there is plenty of algebra involved.
Despite already failing this exam and studying towards the retake I am actually enjoying it, using algebra to work out optimum capital levels and order quantities for businesses.
Apparently this stuff is used by treasures managers/accountants involved in investments, so the old saying that “what use is algebra when you leave school!” is actually nonsense!
I use algebra very often in solving problems, and also trigonometry - less so calculus.
It always amazes me how much of it I have retained in the 40+ years since I was last taught. Testament to my teachers and lecturers.2 -
Thanks very much for the recommendations @MattF, I guess an issue for me at this stage (though also an advantage in a way), is that I don't have any real reason to learn it. It's literally learning for learning's sake. I'm not pushed into Linear or Abstract because my work demands it, it's just whatever I want. From that perspective maybe Linear would be better for me based on your recommendation that it's easier.1
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Stig said:Thanks very much for the recommendations @MattF, I guess an issue for me at this stage (though also an advantage in a way), is that I don't have any real reason to learn it. It's literally learning for learning's sake. I'm not pushed into Linear or Abstract because my work demands it, it's just whatever I want. From that perspective maybe Linear would be better for me based on your recommendation that it's easier.1
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bobmunro said:BR7_addick said:I’m currently studying ACCA, I’m on paper 9 of 13, paper 9 is financial management, there is plenty of algebra involved.
Despite already failing this exam and studying towards the retake I am actually enjoying it, using algebra to work out optimum capital levels and order quantities for businesses.
Apparently this stuff is used by treasures managers/accountants involved in investments, so the old saying that “what use is algebra when you leave school!” is actually nonsense!
I use algebra very often in solving problems, and also trigonometry - less so calculus.
It's always amazes me how much of it I have retained in the 40+ years since I was last taught. Testament to my teachers and lecturers.2 -
Leroy Ambrose said:bobmunro said:BR7_addick said:I’m currently studying ACCA, I’m on paper 9 of 13, paper 9 is financial management, there is plenty of algebra involved.
Despite already failing this exam and studying towards the retake I am actually enjoying it, using algebra to work out optimum capital levels and order quantities for businesses.
Apparently this stuff is used by treasures managers/accountants involved in investments, so the old saying that “what use is algebra when you leave school!” is actually nonsense!
I use algebra very often in solving problems, and also trigonometry - less so calculus.
It's always amazes me how much of it I have retained in the 40+ years since I was last taught. Testament to my teachers and lecturers.
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Trigonometry, I struggled at school basically because I wasn't interested. I got a job in engineering and had to take all maths seriously and then computers with CAD programs came along and have allowed me to regress back to not caring again.
I actually enjoyed maths at college but I think it was probably down to the skill of the lecturer rather than me having any gift for it.0 - Sponsored links:
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DaveMehmet said:Leroy Ambrose said:bobmunro said:BR7_addick said:I’m currently studying ACCA, I’m on paper 9 of 13, paper 9 is financial management, there is plenty of algebra involved.
Despite already failing this exam and studying towards the retake I am actually enjoying it, using algebra to work out optimum capital levels and order quantities for businesses.
Apparently this stuff is used by treasures managers/accountants involved in investments, so the old saying that “what use is algebra when you leave school!” is actually nonsense!
I use algebra very often in solving problems, and also trigonometry - less so calculus.
It's always amazes me how much of it I have retained in the 40+ years since I was last taught. Testament to my teachers and lecturers.3 -
I've got a calculator that spells boobless if it helps?2
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Have struggled with Maths all my life, Not everyday Maths but the stuff that scientist / Engineer use.
When i went to Secondary the Maths teachers were a quietly spoken Greek,and a bombastic Ex Army Major. I got the Ex-Army Major, Maths turned into an absolute nightmare!.
Often wondered how i would have got on if i had had the Greek chap.0 -
If you would rather learn from a book than endless Youtube videos, try these:Calculus had people worried in 1910, not just now. Good luck!
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usetobunkin said:Have struggled with Maths all my life, Not everyday Maths but the stuff that scientist / Engineer use.
When i went to Secondary the Maths teachers were a quietly spoken Greek,and a bombastic Ex Army Major. I got the Ex-Army Major, Maths turned into an absolute nightmare!.
Often wondered how i would have got on if i had had the Greek chap.0 -
bobmunro said:usetobunkin said:Have struggled with Maths all my life, Not everyday Maths but the stuff that scientist / Engineer use.
When i went to Secondary the Maths teachers were a quietly spoken Greek,and a bombastic Ex Army Major. I got the Ex-Army Major, Maths turned into an absolute nightmare!.
Often wondered how i would have got on if i had had the Greek chap.
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usetobunkin said:bobmunro said:usetobunkin said:Have struggled with Maths all my life, Not everyday Maths but the stuff that scientist / Engineer use.
When i went to Secondary the Maths teachers were a quietly spoken Greek,and a bombastic Ex Army Major. I got the Ex-Army Major, Maths turned into an absolute nightmare!.
Often wondered how i would have got on if i had had the Greek chap.0 -
I've had to look at the BBC Bitesize website to help with my 10 year old sons homework. It's useful for the basics, or out of touch.1
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MattF said:For Calculus, I'd recommend Robert Adams & Christopher Essex's Calculus: A complete course, usually you can find some older editions for a couple of quid on Ebay. Thick heavy book but very comprehensive. Also recommend William E. Boyce and Richard C. DiPrima, Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems as a second option. Calculus is split between differential and integral calculus, and this book covers the former. Differential calculus is used to find the rate of change of a quantity, whereas integral calculus finds the quantity when you know it's rate of change.
For Algebra, you'd need to know which branch of Maths you are thinking about. There's Linear Algebra which covers vector spaces and linear mappings, or Abstract Algebra, which covers Groups, Rings and Fields. I found Linear Algebra much easier to study so would recommend that over Abstract. Linear Algebra by Seymour Lipschutz and Marc Lipson is a good one for that, as it's full of worked solutions which are hard to find open source. They also have a similar book on Vector Calculus if that becomes of interest.
If you're interested in Abstract Algebra I'd start with C.W.Norman, Undergraduate Algebra: A First Course and J.J.Rotman, A First Course in Abstract Algebra. Not sure how easy they are to get hold off as only ever checked them out a library, but they were helpful. Will add some more later with things that aren't just books. Recommend Mathologer on YouTube (and Flammable Maths for some interesting/strange worked problems), but would avoid Numberphile who felt it was OK to "prove" that the sum of every positive number equaled -1/121 -
Stig said:I always like to learn something new and have decided it's time I learnt Calculus and Algebra. I knew enough to pass my Maths O level many years ago, but whatever I knew has since departed the old grey matter. Now, I don't even know the difference between Calculus and Algebra.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.
I teach IB Higher maths so could probably sort some stuff for you.1 - Sponsored links:
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Puzzle solving...Sir Issac Newton style!
Plenty of apps to download. They will help.
I've got a calculus book on my phone kindle but not reading it at present. Other things are in the way.
I was really interested in quantum mechanics a few months ago.0 -
Stig said:DaveMehmet said:Leroy Ambrose said:bobmunro said:BR7_addick said:I’m currently studying ACCA, I’m on paper 9 of 13, paper 9 is financial management, there is plenty of algebra involved.
Despite already failing this exam and studying towards the retake I am actually enjoying it, using algebra to work out optimum capital levels and order quantities for businesses.
Apparently this stuff is used by treasures managers/accountants involved in investments, so the old saying that “what use is algebra when you leave school!” is actually nonsense!
I use algebra very often in solving problems, and also trigonometry - less so calculus.
It's always amazes me how much of it I have retained in the 40+ years since I was last taught. Testament to my teachers and lecturers.1 -
Friend Or Defoe said:MattF said:For Calculus, I'd recommend Robert Adams & Christopher Essex's Calculus: A complete course, usually you can find some older editions for a couple of quid on Ebay. Thick heavy book but very comprehensive. Also recommend William E. Boyce and Richard C. DiPrima, Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems as a second option. Calculus is split between differential and integral calculus, and this book covers the former. Differential calculus is used to find the rate of change of a quantity, whereas integral calculus finds the quantity when you know it's rate of change.
For Algebra, you'd need to know which branch of Maths you are thinking about. There's Linear Algebra which covers vector spaces and linear mappings, or Abstract Algebra, which covers Groups, Rings and Fields. I found Linear Algebra much easier to study so would recommend that over Abstract. Linear Algebra by Seymour Lipschutz and Marc Lipson is a good one for that, as it's full of worked solutions which are hard to find open source. They also have a similar book on Vector Calculus if that becomes of interest.
If you're interested in Abstract Algebra I'd start with C.W.Norman, Undergraduate Algebra: A First Course and J.J.Rotman, A First Course in Abstract Algebra. Not sure how easy they are to get hold off as only ever checked them out a library, but they were helpful. Will add some more later with things that aren't just books. Recommend Mathologer on YouTube (and Flammable Maths for some interesting/strange worked problems), but would avoid Numberphile who felt it was OK to "prove" that the sum of every positive number equaled -1/121 -
Stig said:I always like to learn something new and have decided it's time I learnt Calculus and Algebra. I knew enough to pass my Maths O level many years ago, but whatever I knew has since departed the old grey matter. Now, I don't even know the difference between Calculus and Algebra.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.1 -
Stig said:I always like to learn something new and have decided it's time I learnt Calculus and Algebra. I knew enough to pass my Maths O level many years ago, but whatever I knew has since departed the old grey matter. Now, I don't even know the difference between Calculus and Algebra.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.1 -
PrincessFiona said:Stig said:I always like to learn something new and have decided it's time I learnt Calculus and Algebra. I knew enough to pass my Maths O level many years ago, but whatever I knew has since departed the old grey matter. Now, I don't even know the difference between Calculus and Algebra.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.2 -
MattF said:PrincessFiona said:Stig said:I always like to learn something new and have decided it's time I learnt Calculus and Algebra. I knew enough to pass my Maths O level many years ago, but whatever I knew has since departed the old grey matter. Now, I don't even know the difference between Calculus and Algebra.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.1 -
PrincessFiona said:MattF said:PrincessFiona said:Stig said:I always like to learn something new and have decided it's time I learnt Calculus and Algebra. I knew enough to pass my Maths O level many years ago, but whatever I knew has since departed the old grey matter. Now, I don't even know the difference between Calculus and Algebra.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.0 -
MattF said:PrincessFiona said:Stig said:I always like to learn something new and have decided it's time I learnt Calculus and Algebra. I knew enough to pass my Maths O level many years ago, but whatever I knew has since departed the old grey matter. Now, I don't even know the difference between Calculus and Algebra.
I know Charlton Life always comes up trumps with the many knowledgable people on here, so I wondered if anyone had any good recommendations: Websites, apps, videos, books, exercises etc.
Thanks.0