Mathematics for Computer Science

What Hacker News says

1. WillAdamsJul 2025
   I've been re-learning CS (programmed as a kid, then missed getting a minor in CS in college after the service by one 300-level course which wasn't being re-offered when I needed it) and then just did (La)TeX and AppleScript for my day job, but am now trying to create a tool for CNC which is quite different from those which have existed previously, and one thing which has helped a lot is MIT OCW:

   - the Python courses got me up-to-speed on the basics of that language: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-0001-introduction-to-computer-... and https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-100l-introduction-to-cs-and-pr...

   - Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs served as a disciplined review of a book which I wasn't patient enough to do the exercises of when I first read it: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-001-structure-and-interpretati...

   - Mathematics for Computer Science helped make up for my spotty math: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-042j-mathematics-for-computer-...

   I've also found the recent book:

   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39996759-a-philosophy-of...

   very helpful (first reading I did one chapter at a time, re-writing my current project applying the principles of that chapter) --- interesting video overview at:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmSAYlu0NcY

   If one is fortunate, there are videos on specific subjects/algorithms which one needs, e.g.,

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvPPXbo87ds

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2. satvikpendemJan 2023
   I'd also read the books from Teach Yourself CS (https://teachyourselfcs.com):

   - Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

   - Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective

   - The Algorithm Design Manual

   - Mathematics for Computer Science

   - Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces

   - Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach

   - Readings in Database Systems

   - Crafting Interpreters

   - Designing Data-Intensive Applications

   Other books I've seen:

   - Computer Graphics From Scratch

   - Haskell Programming From First Principles

   - Zero To Production In Rust

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3. williamsmjMay 2022
   Calculus and analysis is commonly the entry point to "serious" mathematics for engineers and physicists but it is certainly not the "only true way". It's not even particularly the usual way.

   I recommend the content covered in MIT 6042J, Mathematics for Computer Science (https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-042j-mathematics-for-computer-...). The most important part of this course is logic and proof-writing, both of which are foundational tools of serious mathematics, that sometimes get elided if you come in through the physics side (i.e. via calculus and analysis). You will also learn discrete mathematics, i.e. "a bunch of stuff that is useful for cryptography". But I think the foundational stuff about logic and proofs is even more useful. It will rewire your brain in a way that prepares you to go deeper in maths.

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4. sirodohtFeb 2022
   1. Discrete Mathematics with Applications by Susanna S. Epp

   https://condor.depaul.edu/~sepp/DMwA4e.htm

   2. Mathematics for Computer Science by by Eric Lehman, F Thomson Leighton, Albert R Meyer

   https://courses.csail.mit.edu/6.042/spring18/mcs.pdf

   thread
5. srcreighDec 2021
   Also haven't used it, but this link from there [0] regarding intro to CS-style discrete math proofs seems somewhat lacking.

   There doesn't seem to be enough focus on teaching proof techniques, and skips straight to discrete math content.

   Could be a decent beginner resource if combined with something that teaches proof techniques though.

   EDIT: the MIT book also listed is actually good [1]

   [0]: https://cims.nyu.edu/~regev/teaching/discrete_math_fall_2005...

   [1]: https://courses.csail.mit.edu/6.042/spring17/mcs.pdf

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6. srcreighDec 2021
   I found one! OP, please check out this Mathematics for Computer Science book from MIT. [1]

   That book can be found on the Teach Yourself Computer Science page. [2]

   The TYCS page says this book is advanced... but they teach this content to 1st years at University of Waterloo.. so really it's just difficult beginner material.

   [1]: https://courses.csail.mit.edu/6.042/spring17/mcs.pdf

   [2]: https://teachyourselfcs.com/#math

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