Hi Casey,
the other night you mentioned you thought yourself math through books. Would you have any recommendation on which ones helped you? I find that Wikipedia and other online resources either assume too much prior knowledge or aren't as clear as some of the old books.
Many thanks,
Marco
the other night you mentioned you thought yourself math through books. Would you have any recommendation on which ones helped you? I find that Wikipedia and other online resources either assume too much prior knowledge or aren't as clear as some of the old books.
Many thanks,
Marco
Hoo boy. That's reaching back a long long way :)
I learned linear algebra from Gilbert Strang's intro book. I learned calculus from Thomas and Finney. There was some good computation-oriented matrix book that I liked too but I can't remember what it was called at the moment... I'll have to check when I go to the office! I don't think it was Golub and Van Loan...
Off hand I don't remember a lot of other math books that were good. I had a lot, but a lot of them weren't good... I remember having to work out quaternions on my own because the books were awful - it took several years to really get it. There are better materials now.
The physics books at that time were terrible. Chris Hecker had to do a ton of reading and figuring things out, I remember. Nowadays there are much better references for computational physics than there were then - it's like night and day.
- Casey
I learned linear algebra from Gilbert Strang's intro book. I learned calculus from Thomas and Finney. There was some good computation-oriented matrix book that I liked too but I can't remember what it was called at the moment... I'll have to check when I go to the office! I don't think it was Golub and Van Loan...
Off hand I don't remember a lot of other math books that were good. I had a lot, but a lot of them weren't good... I remember having to work out quaternions on my own because the books were awful - it took several years to really get it. There are better materials now.
The physics books at that time were terrible. Chris Hecker had to do a ton of reading and figuring things out, I remember. Nowadays there are much better references for computational physics than there were then - it's like night and day.
- Casey
Strang's book is extra nice considering you can follow along with the course video lectures (free!) at MIT open courseware.
Depending on what types of maths you want to learn, Chris Hecker's page that walks through some of his recommended resources for physics may be of interest. http://chrishecker.com/Physics_References
I quite like these old SIGGRAPH course nodes by David Baraff et al: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~baraff/sigcourse/
This is the free digital textbook we use in my calculus class: http://www.whitman.edu/mathematic...tivariable/multivariable_2013.pdf
It's very readable and has good explanations. I don't know what math level you're at, but if/when you get to calculus this is a very good resource.
P.S. Calculus is awesome! ^_^
It's very readable and has good explanations. I don't know what math level you're at, but if/when you get to calculus this is a very good resource.
P.S. Calculus is awesome! ^_^
I know you are looking for books, and I too like to read over video most of the time, but have you checked out the khan academy resources? Its got a pretty robust math course with lots of challenges (which i find useful). If you haven't tried it, give it a whirl.
Edited by M. Symmes
on
Reposted response I wrote on another thread:
My general recommendation is this for people who are looking to improve their math abilities:
Study linear algebra, and real analysis. This is THE place to really begin mathematics. (edit: these are both prerequisites to properly approach calculus and differential equations)
These two fields will lay down the algebraic, analytic, and logical foundation from which to build. Once you've waddled through these waters, you will emerge a different thinker, with a new appreciation for mathematics, and you'll be able to guide your own learning path moving forward.
To this end, I will go a step further and recommend www.amazon.com/dp/0387982582/?tag=stacko...20#reader_0387982582 (Chapters 1-5 most importantly), and www.amazon.com/dp/0387950605/?tag=stackoverfl08-20
note: I am a mathematician first.
My general recommendation is this for people who are looking to improve their math abilities:
Study linear algebra, and real analysis. This is THE place to really begin mathematics. (edit: these are both prerequisites to properly approach calculus and differential equations)
These two fields will lay down the algebraic, analytic, and logical foundation from which to build. Once you've waddled through these waters, you will emerge a different thinker, with a new appreciation for mathematics, and you'll be able to guide your own learning path moving forward.
To this end, I will go a step further and recommend www.amazon.com/dp/0387982582/?tag=stacko...20#reader_0387982582 (Chapters 1-5 most importantly), and www.amazon.com/dp/0387950605/?tag=stackoverfl08-20
note: I am a mathematician first.
Edited by Zach
on
@Treechoper
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0521592712/?tag=stackoverfl08-20 if often cited as being good - but I have never read it.
http://www.amazon.com/Freunds-Mat...=UTF8&refRID=0J2TZAM654D150MB143C is often used in the introductory classes to probability and statistics. You probably only need the first 8 chapters here. I like this book for the same reasons most people dislike this book; it is extremely dry and to the point (It's a book on statistics! What do you expect). Note: this book is a mathematical book, and so prerequisites are knowledge of multivariable calculus, and familiarity with mathematical proofs.
Note. My specialty doesn't lie down the probability and statistics path of mathematics.
Note#2 (Unofficial) Books used in the first couple years of undergraduate are considerably expensive. While I love having a hard copy on my bookshelf, I wouldn't acquire a hard copy until after I've acquired a soft copy...at a...cheaper...price ;)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0521592712/?tag=stackoverfl08-20 if often cited as being good - but I have never read it.
http://www.amazon.com/Freunds-Mat...=UTF8&refRID=0J2TZAM654D150MB143C is often used in the introductory classes to probability and statistics. You probably only need the first 8 chapters here. I like this book for the same reasons most people dislike this book; it is extremely dry and to the point (It's a book on statistics! What do you expect). Note: this book is a mathematical book, and so prerequisites are knowledge of multivariable calculus, and familiarity with mathematical proofs.
Note. My specialty doesn't lie down the probability and statistics path of mathematics.
Note#2 (Unofficial) Books used in the first couple years of undergraduate are considerably expensive. While I love having a hard copy on my bookshelf, I wouldn't acquire a hard copy until after I've acquired a soft copy...at a...cheaper...price ;)
Edited by Zach
on
If you are interested in mathematics fundamentals (i.e. introduction to vectors, coordinate systems, etc...) then this book looks reasonable:
It is focused on 3D but it covers material that is necessary for 2D as well.
It was recommended here: Doom 3 BFG Source Code Review
It is available on safari online if you have a subscription - that is how I reviewed it.
3D Math Primer for Graphics and Game Development by Fletcher Dunn, Ian Parberry
It is focused on 3D but it covers material that is necessary for 2D as well.
It was recommended here: Doom 3 BFG Source Code Review
It is available on safari online if you have a subscription - that is how I reviewed it.