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Science and Math For Adults?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the old-dogs-and-new-tricks dept.

Peter Trepan writes "Like most Americans, I made it through high-school and college without a thorough understanding of major scientific and mathematical concepts. I'm trying to remedy this situation both for personal betterment and so I can supplement my *own* kids' education. The problem is, most textbooks are not designed to convey an understanding of the subject, but to squeeze in all the 'facts' required by state law. I'm looking for books that don't just tell me an equation or a concept works, but also explain *why*. Would you please list books that have helped you gain a greater understanding of the basic concepts of algebra, chemistry, calculus, physics, and other core areas of science?" This is similar to an earlier question, but with a broader focus.

6 of 489 comments (clear)

  1. books... by Yodason · · Score: 5, Informative

    Feynman has 6 easy/not so easy peices on physics... I enjoyed those. On A whole I will recomend any of his books... Math I'm not sure... I'd like to try and find a math book (that teaches you as much as a text book) thats not as dry as one... For calculus for the easy stuff Learn Calculus the easy way is a interesting concept, its taught through a story.

    1. Re:books... by MuParadigm · · Score: 5, Informative

      I like the Feynman books as well, but I'd start with "Surely, You're Joking Mr. Feyman" first. The reason I say that, especially if you want to share them with your kids - I'm assuming they're about adolescent in age - is that I find it's easier to develop an understanding in these subjects by hearing stories in them first, then moving on to more theory-oriented works.

      For math, I'd recommend:

      G. H. Hardy - A Mathemetician's Apology
      E. T. Bell - Men of Mathematics (some people have problems with this book in terms of historical accuracy, but I'v always found it a lot of fun)
      Courant & Robbins - What is Mathematics? (nice grounding in general theory)
      Nagel & Newman - Godel's Proof
      Georg Cantor - Transfinite Numbers
      Alan Turing - On the Computable Numbers (fantastic essay, don't know where you can find it though)
      J. E. Thompson - Algebra / Calculus for the Practical Man
      Silvanus Thompson & Martin Gardner - Calculus Made Easy

      For physics:

      Feynman - QED (Quantum Electrodynamics)/ The Character of Physical Law
      Galileo - Two New Sciences (Much more readable than you'd think)
      Fermi - Thermodynamics / Elementary Particles (these might be a little too technical)
      Brian Greene - The Elegant Universe
      Einstein - Relativity / The Principle of Relativity / The Meaning of Relativity / The Theory Of Brownian Movemnent

      Highly Unrecommended:

      The Tao of Physics - Fritjof Capra
      The Dancing Wu-Li Masters - Gary Zukav

      I cannot emphasize enough how lousy these last two books are. I can't understand why they are still in print. Atrocious new age speculation.

  2. math: by Pandora's+Vox · · Score: 5, Informative

    zero, the biography of a dangerous idea by charles seife (sp?)

    the god particle, by leon lederman

    the particle garden, by someone whose name i can't remember.

    good math and good physics. enjoy!

    -Leigh

  3. Calculus Made Easy by DarkVein · · Score: 5, Informative

    Calculus Made Easy by Silvanus P. Thompson and Martin Gardner. This is exactly the sort of book you're looking for, in the subject of Calculus. To quote from the preface, on the subject of modern math textbooks: Their exercises have, as one mathematician recently put it, "the dignity of solving crossword puzzles." The purpose of this book is to explain the philosophy of Calculus, and teach you how to differentiate and integrate simple functions. I recommend reading the Preface in a bookstore, skimming the first few chapters. I think you'll like it.

    --

    I'm as mimsy as the next borogove but your mome raths are completely outgrabe.

  4. Isaac Asimov by Esion+Modnar · · Score: 5, Informative

    Any of his non-fiction books, and there's a ton. All subjects, from algebra to the brain to chemistry. (He even wrote about the Bible...)

    --

    They say the first thing to go is your penis. Well, it's either that or your brain. I forget which...
  5. ArsDigita University by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    You might check out some of the materials on display at ArsDigita University, they have lectures online and a critique of each course, together with a list of texts...personally, Sispser's text for Theory of Computation was very helpful in explaining a lot of the higher-level CS Math.