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Recommend math books for a language geek

Piggy

Unlicensed street skeptic
Piggy
Joined
Mar 11, 2006
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My confession: I'm a math idiot.

I dropped out of high school trig, and only had to take 1 math course (behavioral statistics) in my 13 year college career.

This pains me because I love science (especially physics and astronomy) and am very interested in systems of logic that are not language-based.

I hope that some folks here can recommend some books that could help me get up to speed.

Thanks in advance.
 
What are you looking for, exactly? It's hard to recommend anything without knowing a level (and I'm sure not many of us can name our favorite precalc text!). But if you're looking for a good read on the subject of math and everyday life, try John Allen Paulos' "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and it's Consequences". It's a fun, quick read.
 
eri said:
What are you looking for, exactly? It's hard to recommend anything without knowing a level (and I'm sure not many of us can name our favorite precalc text!). But if you're looking for a good read on the subject of math and everyday life, try John Allen Paulos' "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and it's Consequences". It's a fun, quick read.
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Hard to say, exactly, being ignorant and all.

As I mentioned, I dropped out of trig, which means I only completed "Algebra II".

I find algebra and geometry (which I also completed) very useful in everyday life. But what I'm looking for is something to take me to the next level.

I can't understand any of the arguments about math-based logic on the final pages of this thread, and I'd like to. So maybe that helps.

I get bogged down trying to read Feynman and Einstein, but I get tired of having to trust popular writers' interpretations of their articles.

As I said, I'm interested in working toward being able to understand more math-based logic, more physics, more astronomy.
 
eri said:
But if you're looking for a good read on the subject of math and everyday life, try John Allen Paulos' "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and it's Consequences". It's a fun, quick read.
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FWIW, it doesn't have to be either fun or quick. I'm interested in results, not entertainment.

And I hope that's not the actual title of the book. :eek:
 
Piggy said:
As I said, I'm interested in working toward being able to understand more math-based logic, more physics, more astronomy.
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As far as logic goes, I'd recommend some books by Smullyan, or GEB by Hofstadder(sp).
 
pillory said:
"Road to Reality" by Roger the Dodger. Its brilliant...
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Er, just to clarify that would be Roger Penrose, he of The Emperor's New Mind fame. That's the book I'm reading now too! How far have you got pillory? I'm on chapter 7, which is just about the point at which my prior uni edumacation peters out.

Piggy, our recommended text for applied maths at uni was Riley, Hobson and Bence. I notice all the reviews there are from Cambridge folks... go figure! I agree that it's the bible of applied maths. It has a refresher chapter on calculus at the beginning, but if you've done no calculus at all before, you may want to find a book on that specifically.

ETA: just noticed that in the newer edition they stuck in a chapter on 'preliminary algebra' which I think is a very good idea. Also they've expanded the statistical stuff at the end. Sod it, I might have to buy a new copy now! Even though I'm an accounts assistant!
 
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eri said:
But if you're looking for a good read on the subject of math and everyday life, try John Allen Paulos' "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and it's Consequences". It's a fun, quick read.
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Seconded. Anything by John Allen Paulos is good for every occasion: fun, easy and really does give some maths insight. For self proclaimed language geeks, I'd recommend: "Once Upon A Number - The Hidden Mathematical Logic Of Stories."
 
Earthborn said:
For self proclaimed language geeks, I'd recommend: "Once Upon A Number - The Hidden Mathematical Logic Of Stories."
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Oh, kinda like The Bible Code? Cool! I LOVED that book!

(April Fool)
 
If you're looking for a more formal textbook sort of thing, then maybe something like a textbook on Discrete Mathematics might be good? The first chapters of those are normally about logic, predicates, equivalence, tautologies, axioms and mathematical induction. The textbooks that are aimed at computer science undergrads go easy on the proofs, which makes it easier on the lay man.

Maybe something like Discrete Mathematics for New Technology?
 
I heartily recommend Calculus by Stewart if you want to learn calculus. I've used several editions at the lower university level and have found it to be one of the best text books I've used. If you don't want / need a calculus text book, please ignore :)
 
Piggy said:
Do I want/need a calculus book?

What is done with calculus?
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The only way you could possibly not need a calculus book is if you already have a complete mastery of the subject. It's that vital (IMO).
 
Not to seem stupid here... but rather to seem ignorant... because I am ignorant....

Y'all still haven't answered my question: What is done with calculus?

Be reminded that I dropped out of high school trig and never took another math class with the exception of behavioral statistics. I AM IGN'ANT!

Eg, if someone asked "What's done w/ addition and subtraction?", an answer like "Balancing your checkbook, or figuring up how much a movie and popcorn will cost you" would be good. If someone asked "What's done with multiplication and division?", an answer like "Figuring out which product at the store costs less if the sizes are different" would be good. If someone asked "What's done with geometry?", an answer like "Figuring out how much carpet you need to buy for your new house" would be good.

(If someone asked "What's done with trig?", I wouldn't have a clue b/c I don't remember any of it. But I do remember stat, and I even use it in my job now, but I have interfaces that figure out the levels of confidence for me.)

You get the idea. Stuff like that.

Thanks in advance.
 
What's done with calculus is -- science. It's a method of modeling the way things change, from the rate a satellite’s orbit will decay, to the way smoke will diffuse through a room, to... ad infinitum. Get a calculus text from your local library and look at the problem sets. They usually give a broad range to make things interesting, and you’ll get an idea.

For book suggestions, I highly recommend The Nature and Growth of Modern Mathematics by Edna Kramer. Covers a lot of ground, isn’t afraid of dappling in equations, yet is accessible, interesting, and well-written.

Plus, my father knew her!
 
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