Steps to Re-Learn Mathematic the right way

Question

I was always branded weak mathematics back at school though i loved it. The reason was that I was not having many basics in maths. Due to this problem I stopped learning Maths after my 10th grade. But I always have a feeling that I can do better.

I want to learn maths again. From Addition to Everything. I dont know where to start, is there a complete guide or anywhere I can start?

UPDATE I think I should have been more specific. I want to start of fresh from techniques of division to multiplication. I want learn Algebra... And so on. So I believe once I set my basics correct, I will have an area in maths that will interest me. Based on that I can decide next direction. So is there any comprehensive book that can set my basics right so that I can go ahead without any probs?

Answer 1

The first thing you need to do is to figure out how much you know. You need to know which level you are at.

I recommend going to someplace like khanacademy and try some of the exercises.

Another thing I like to do is to find something that I want to learn, that at the moment is over my head. Then I figure out, what do I need to know to understand this? Then I can make a list for myself of concepts/techniques I need to learn.

Answer 2

There are lots of good books about math. Here's one such list:

http://www.amazon.com/Books-about-Math-Numbers-More/lm/R3T29ZJGFBT60N

These tend to be more about the ideas in math than the techniques of mathematics, but they might be good motivation. Personally, I liked "Shape of Space" (number of 24 on the list) which helped fill some holes in my background on topology, and also "Fooled by Randomness" (number of 21 on the list) which gives an accessible intro to the ideas of probability.

Answer 3

I am sure you will get many useful tips for material, however I have one suggestion. Math deals first and foremost with abstract ideas that often have very simple definitions. People that are not experienced in math may sometimes confuse the fact that something is easy to define with it being easy to understand. However, one of the interesting things in math is that something can be very easy to define or write down but challenging to understand deeply and intuitively.

In my experience, one of the most important things you need to do in order to really understand math is to get your hands dirty. That means solving, calculating, proving and playing around to see what happens. This takes time and discipline, but that is the only way to go.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Try this:

http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Store/curriculum.php

Do not think of yourself as an inferior.Just imagine that you are starting fresh.

Answer 5

I recommend the book

Lang, Serge., Basic Mathematics, Springer, 1971.