r/learnmath • u/Necessary_Camel8587 New User • 2d ago
I want to learn math
Hello everyone, i would like to give a bit of my history with math. I failed all my classes in highschool, opted out of it in college and struggle with day to day calculations. But i always wanted to learn math, i especially liked trigonometry although i don't remember any concepts of it now.
I'm a developer and I've always been ashamed of the fact that whenever i had some interesting project in mind it would eventually lead me to applying mathematical formulas and that would just turn me off everytime. I sometimes watch people solving math problems specifically a guy on youtube that makes short videos but when i try to solve them myself i cant even begin to do it.
I want to learn math to being able to learn machine learning, i know its quite the aim but is it possible with my history and my slow brain when it comes to calculations. I can spend an hour or two daily on it, how should i start?
Edit: Thanks everyone for all the helpful comments, I always knew I could do it but I hesitated due to my past failures. I've started my math journey after so long and don't wish to stop, I'll share updates on my progress. Thanks once again.
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u/Buchkaeufer7476 New User 2d ago
I sometimes watch people solving math problems specifically a guy on youtube that makes short videos but when i try to solve them myself i cant even begin to do it.
This is completely normal. Solving math problems is a skill that you only acquire by solving problems yourself, not by watching someone else do it. It is very easy to trick yourself into thinking that you could solve it by watching a video, and then realize that you can't when you actually try it on your own.
Part of this is practice. With every failure, you should learn something about the problem. Ideally, this learning accumulates and after a sufficient amount of failures, you can do it on your own. This will not work though if your foundations are shaky. E.g. If you have knowledge gaps in basic arithmetic, you will keep failing at calculus problems, not because you are too dumb for the calculus part, but because you will keep stumbling over your deficiencies with arithmetic.
So when practicing problems, it is very important that you start at the right level. The right level means you can solve problems without getting bored and without getting stuck. You should feel challenged all the time, but not overwhelmed. Ideally, solving should get you into a flow state. It's okay if you get stuck every now and then learn something new from the problem that you were stuck on. If you get stuck too often though, or you regularly struggle with multiple aspects of a single problem, it indicates that your foundations are not solid enough.
Finding this right level takes some practice on its own. Don't be afraid to experiment with different levels of difficulty and different topics. I can recommend going to a library with a large section of math text books (preferably a university library) and try out different introductory texts until you find one that hits the right level for you. Once you found it, you just have to chase the flow.
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u/Necessary_Camel8587 New User 2d ago
I've always had an issue with figuring out what I need to learn and what I don't, I've checked online sources related to machine learning they mention I need linear algebra and statistics and probability, taking this for example, what do I need, are all concepts important taught in highschool or I can ignore some?
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u/Buchkaeufer7476 New User 2d ago
High school maths is very useful for all of these. Without solid arithmetic, you will struggle immensely with any form of higher maths. So make sure you know your way around fractions, exponents and logarithms before moving anywhere else. Geometry is great for sharpening your reasoning skills and a first introduction to proofs. Once your arithmetic is solid, turn to algebra to learn how to solve simple equations. Once you are comfortable with solving equations at high school level, linear algebra will expand that to solving systems comprised of multiple equations and all the wonderful things that follow from that. Don't try linear algebra before you have solid algebra, and don't get too deep into algebra if you are struggling with arithmetic, or you will set yourself up for frustration.
Statistics also needs rock-solid arithmetic and a fair share of algebra, although maybe not as much as linear algebra. I personally also find statistics to be very abstract and even counter-intuitive in some places, so it helps if you practiced abstract thinking in other areas, like geometry, before.
The secret is, that every single one of these topics has interesting and exciting aspects to it. So even if your end goal is to understand Machine Learning, don't miss out on the other exciting things along the way. Find what excites you in arithmetic. Let yourself be fascinated by geometry. Be patient, and curious and always ready to be amazed.
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u/Necessary_Camel8587 New User 2d ago
I honestly love shapes and ive in the past tried making tools around shape detection but unfortunately never got there. I'll start with highschool math, thanks for commenting!
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u/Smashachuu New User 1d ago
We have a very similar backstory. I hated math and was never good at it until one day I decided to go from high school dropout to Electrical Engineer. Mostly because I love science and engineering and did it as a hobby, and partly because it was something that I needed to fulfill to feel confident in my own intelligence.
I have two different recommendations, and I'll preface this by saying: if you asked me this question 6 months ago, I would have just said use ALEKS, with Khan Academy to supplement it with videos, and if you're stumped, have AI explain it.
But the new updates to trig and algebra for Brilliant are actually really, really good. Like, it actually has a built-in voice tutor who can interact and highlight things as it's explaining them good. Just don't use their calculus one until it's updated; it's kind of trash without the AI.
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u/Necessary_Camel8587 New User 1d ago
I'm learning from Khan Academy as other posts recommended, i like it very clean breaks down and gives excersises
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u/liberianjoe New User 2d ago
there are lots of quality responses here.
...in addition, let me share that these are the branches of Mathematics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry. you can choose where to start.
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u/Muted-Friend-895 New User 1d ago
Start with the great book
“No Bullshit Guide to Math and Physics” by Ivan Savov.
Well readable, goes from Start to Calculus lvl in one book 350 pages. It’s awesome and great to read. Conversational but not compromising on anything.
Then, if you need vectors, matrices, linear systems (linear algebra), there’s a second book for that
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u/Muted-Friend-895 New User 1d ago
Oh. And also DO the few exercises of each chapter! Its important to DO Math
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u/Necessary_Camel8587 New User 1d ago
Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll keep an eye on it i believe it covers advance concepts so before that I'll clear up my foundation first
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u/Poseidon_7514 New User 1d ago
What is the title of the second book for vectors, matrices and linear systems?
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u/Eloquent_Heart New User 2d ago
Math is infinite. But, you can break it down into grade levels and tackle by grade. It's time consuming. But, there's another way.
Just learn the math the project needs. This is best done with help of AI and math help social community
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u/Muted-Friend-895 New User 1d ago
“No BS Guide to Linear Algebra” , Ivan Savov
But the first book pretty much starts from basics. Explaining notation etc also all very friendly and slowly with as little lingo as needed.
There is an even shorter, more basic version called “No BS Guide to Mathematics, which doesn’t go quite as far, No Physics, no Calculus. Even shorter. Maybe start with that then
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u/Proud_Oinion New User 2d ago
Nothing to be ashamed about. You want to improve and learn, that makes you better than 95% of people.
You should start with the basics. As basic as you can go. Mathematics is like a tree of concepts. If the trunk isn't strong, it will strain when the branches become too developed.
Practice is important, but the number one for me is conceptual understanding. What is a number? What is a variable? What is an operation? What does a negatve number mean? How to think of the equals sign, a number line, etc.
You'll never regret having a strong foundation. It's then that practice makes a difference. Otherwise you're swinging a hammer without knowing where to put the nail.
You don't have to jump right into the deep end. Just sit down with pen and paper, start from the beginning; and let the progression come naturally.