Math for Adults

[Roscoe]

Bonjour! This is my first time posting, but I checked out WTM and WEM from the library in college and now own both. I'm not sure if this is the right forum, or if WEM has its own section, but here it goes...

 

The book lists in WEM are fantastic, and I loved the logic that went into composing them. But there's a section that's missing: There's no math list! My math education was spotty all through public school (partly because of undiagnosed crippling math anxiety that I only got over in my mid-20s). Now, staring down 30, I am in a place where I want to start tackling math, to give myself a well-grounded education in mathematics because it is useful and because it is beautiful. But I don't know where to begin - all resources seem to assume that if you're studying algebra you're 13 and if you're 29 you must be interested in advanced calculus.

 

So...

 

How would you go about creating a math book list (or exercise list) for yourself, as an adult? What would you include, and why?

 

Thank you all, and I look forward to talking with you!

[OneStepAtATime]

Start with finding out where you are regarding basics.  You could look at taking free placement tests from Christian Light Education (CLE) or something along those lines just to see where gaps are then watch you tube videos and print out free worksheets from on-line sites to solidify basics.

 

You might also try Lial's Basic College Mathematics textbook because it is for older students that are weak in math.  It goes back to more basic math and reviews a bit before pressing forward. Instruction is to the student.

[EKS]

How about the Art of Problem Solving books?

[Chrysalis Academy]

A couple of good free resources:

 

EdX has an Introduction to Algebra and an Introduction to Geometry class.  They can quickly catch you up on the basics of high school math.

 

You can follow that up with their College Algebra course which uses the ALEKS platform. You start out by taking a diagnostic test so the program can see what you've mastered and what you are ready to learn, then you work through all the concepts you haven't mastered in a logical order.  

 

This stuff is all free!

[ScoutTN]

I have been working through Tablet Class PreAlgebra to strengthen my own math skills and be more ready to teach my kids.

$50 on sale with excellent customer support.

 

A book often recommended here is Liping Ma's Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics. I borrowed it through ILL.  She highlights why a conceptual understanding of math is necessary and what that look like. Even if you are doing high school math, I think it is an interesting read. 

 

[wapiti]

For bare bones basics, I also suggest Lial's BCM.

 

For the beauty of math, which you seem to appreciate, I suggest AoPS Prealgebra.  It opened up a world I didn't know existed.

 

ETA, go open yourself an Alcumus account (free).  Start with the prealgebra.

Edited April 27, 2016 by wapiti

[shinyhappypeople]

Khan Academy is good and free. I went through their Arithmetic and Pre-algebra courses and was able to re-learn most of what I'd forgotten in just a month or two. Algebra and Geometry are next.

[Roscoe]

I just wanted to stop in and thank *everyone* for their recommendations. Ma-shifu is illuminating, I've enrolled in EdX, and I hope to enroll in AoPS' online courses when I'm done with EdX, because I really like the wonder in AoPS. :)