[Math] Studying Math, All Over Again

educationreference-requestself-learningsoft-question

I am 16 and never really paid attention to math. For me it was just one more obstacle in passing the exams.
Now that I study computers, mostly on my own, I find that there is indeed a need for me to study math. Various topics like cryptography, etc require math.
Where do I begin?

Best Answer

Precautionary note: I am also a beginner here. (But!) You can still believe me because I know I am sincere.

The Rule of Thumb: Never go too hard on yourself; where there is a will—there is a way!

Chill down... there are a lot of resources on the web. You can always get books. Books are your best friend. I read books related to Mathematics whenever I am depressed. You can even watch lectures if you fail to understand the long texts. Another thing you need to do is to love Mathematics. Note that Mathematics is not just the high school mathematics.

Ordered tips:

  1. Start by fetching any book for mathematics. Open the contents, then the introduction/preface.

  2. Read a few pages and see if you love the book. Continue with this process only if you like it. Now search some keywords on this site associated with what you have learnt after reading a few pages.

  3. Answer questions! One has learnt when one knows how to explain.

  4. Read blogs on the internet associated with your subject.

  5. Go to chat and talk to others for a break.

List of online resources:

  1. Khan Academy: A website for high school and undergrad level mathematics.

  2. MathOverflow: A website for research-level mathematics.

  3. Book Boon: Download free e-books.

  4. Google: Search anything.

  5. Wolfram|Alpha: Online computation engine.

  6. Wolfram Mathematica: Software to visualize and calculate easily with full control.

  7. MATLAB: Understanding mathematics through programming.

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