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Ask HN: How do I learn advanced math?

3 points by zython ↗ HN
I am currently trying to learn computability and complexity theory and other advanced topics in computer science and mathematics but most of my attempts are fruitless. Often I am just sitting there stressing myself out without learning anything. How do I correctly acquire the skill to correctly and peacefully approach a problem and solving it ?

I believe I can save myself a whole lot of pain and time if I can improve myself here.

4 comments

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alexibm
Could you be more specific, what areas of mathematics are you most familiar with and what have you done so far ?

Here is my suggestion. I might be wrong, but you might have 0 skills actually solving mathematical problems. Most of the math you see in Knuth (and CLRS) is Analysis, and it is not just simple Analysis: Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Special Functions, Discreet Calculus, Variational Analysis, Combinatorial Analysis, Asymptotic Analysis. So it is not surprising that you are struggling.

alexibm
- Learn sequences, series and summations 1. "Real Analysis via Sequences and Series" (excellent) 2. "Theory and Application of Infinite Series" (Advanced, old, but very good)

- Learn Real and Complex Analysis (on undergrad level) There are a lot of books great books written. http://classicalrealanalysis.info/ (free .pdf are available) Terence Tao wrote two books on Real Analysis, and they are excellent, now on 3rd edition. "Visual Complex Analysis" is good books.

This should be enough for you to cover the basics and it will take you couple years to cover the material.

zython
now that you say it I probably have 0 skills solving actual math problems.

I mean i passed my undergrad course which covers lin alg calc 1 and 2 but I dont have any more knowledge more than that but I would say that I know these topics such that I can pick a topic and explain them to someone

what can you recommend me ?

alexibm
With this background, you can easily go through CLRS book. It does not req. advance math.