[sdiy] SDIY MATH GOALS--need real help!

[jon schatz]

On Feb 27, 2009, at 12:18 PM, cheater cheater wrote:

> get all the used books you can get your hands on.
> People throw away old books because they're 'outdated' all the time.
> Hint: the mathematics you need haven't changed in the last 50 years,
> and books that are 100 years old are still up to date (but not as
> complete)

fwiw a great (cheap) math book for non-math folks is "what is  
mathematics" by courant, robbins, and stewart. it takes really  
elementary concepts and builds on itself up to quite complex subjects  
(topology, multivariable calculus).

plus it's the only book i own with a jacket blurb from albert einstein  
("a lucid representation of the fundamental concepts and methods of  
the whole field of mathematics, easily understandable").

thanks,

-jon

"There are no differences but differences of degree between different  
degrees
of difference and no difference."
- James, William. "Subjective Effects of Nitrous Oxide." Mind. 1882;  
Vol 7.