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Options for Adults with Renewed Interest in Math?

Posted by Cliff on from the back-to-school dept.

Internet Ninja asks: "After only doing mathematics in high school level and in my first year of University, I've suddenly developed an interest in mathematics. Since that was now almost 10 years ago I'm a little rusty. Anything past pythagoras is a little tough for me :) but I know I could get back up to speed quickly. I could probably steal my daughters math textbooks and start reading but I'm wondering if there is a better way. I considered a part-time University paper at US$495 each and you need to do two as bridging courses in order to even start on undergraduate courses. A bit pricey when you have a home and family to look after as well. Another option was a night courses but I'm kept pretty busy with work. Does anyone have any advice or good resources?"

5 of 595 comments (clear)

  1. I need more information! by dmarien · · Score: 4, Funny

    "I could probably steal my daughters..."

    To answer your question I need to know more about this... what grade is she in? How old is she?

    Brunette, red head, blonde? Please, I would love to help you but you're not giving me much to go on...

    --
    dmarien
  2. Whatever you do... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Make sure it's not just by reading posts in Slashdot about the Riemann Zeta Function and associated hypotheses...

  3. because mathematicians have a sense of humor too by Dunhausen · · Score: 2, Funny

    Then there was the crackpot category theoretician
    who thought he was a catamorphism operation. He'd walk around the psych ward with a pair of bananas, which he'd hold up around the other patients and giggle maniacally.

    Once he did this to the resident hypochondriac (who was convinced he was in the final stages of inoperable brain cancer), but it didn't seem to bother him.

    "What are you doing?" he asked.

    "I'm constructing a unique arrow," said the crackpot, "with YOU as its target!"

    "So what's the big deal about that?" said the hypochondriac. "I'm terminal."

    (Of course, this joke is only funny if the mental hospital is Cartesian Closed...)

    --
    Anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best he is a tolerable subhuman who has learned to we
  4. Re:Re-learning by Target+Drone · · Score: 3, Funny
    A co-worker was going to school for CIS and I read over his shoulder while he did his homework.

    Just make sure the person knows what they're doing. At university I saw someone take the fraction

    16
    ----
    64

    Cross out the sixes and end up with

    1
    ---
    4

    The scary thing is it actually worked!

  5. Blending in by GuyMannDude · · Score: 3, Funny

    2) If you don't have grey hairs, you can probably pass for a student with a little creative wardrobe work.

    Here's some pointers on blending in:

    • Nothing fancier than a t-shirt. Best if it's ripped or in really bad condition.
    • Pierce something. Anything.
    • Insert "like" several times in each sentence. Every sentence ends with "y'know".
    • Refer to men as "dudes" and women as "babes".
    • If the prof says something insightful, a loud "Whoa!" in in order.

    GMD

    --
    watch this