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

by ggr2342 on 8/10/23, 7:19 AM with 4 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.

  • by akasakahakada on 8/10/23, 3:13 PM

    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.

  • by in9 on 8/10/23, 9:27 PM

  • by okl on 8/11/23, 2:27 PM

    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).

  • by kleer001 on 8/10/23, 5:06 PM

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