Mathematics, queen and servant of science

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1. rramadassMay 2022
   1. Physics for Entertainment (aka Physics for Fun), Mathematics can be Fun, Arithmetic for Fun, Algebra for Fun etc. all by Yakov Perelman (aka Y.I.Perelman) and published by Mir Publishers in the erstwhile USSR. These were absolutely fantastic and kindled interest in Science/Maths for a whole generation of people across the World. Beg, Borrow or Steal these and make every kid read them. None of the "Modern" popular science books can hold a candle to these books.

   - https://archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22YAKOV+PERE...

   2. Men of Mathematics and Mathematics: Queen and Servant of Science both by E.T.Bell

   - https://archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A%22Bell%2C+Er...

   3. More recently, i found Who Is Fourier?: A Mathematical Adventure excellent. It is written in "manga" style but the contents are great! Every student should read this.

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2. rramadassOct 2019
   In addition to all the other good suggestions, the following are recommended (have not seen these mentioned so far);

   - Concepts of Modern Mathematics - https://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Modern-Mathematics-Dover-Boo...

   - Methods of Mathematics Applied to Calculus, Probability, and Statistics - https://www.amazon.com/Methods-Mathematics-Calculus-Probabil... (all books by Richard Hamming are recommended)

   - Calculus: An Intuitive and Physical Approach - https://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Intuitive-Physical-Approach-...

   For a Textbook reference, the following are quite good;

   - Mathematical Techniques: An Introduction for the Engineering, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences - https://www.amazon.com/Mathematical-Techniques-Introduction-... (easy to read and succinct)

   - Mathematics for Physicists: Introductory Concepts and Methods - https://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Physicists-Introductory-C...

   For General reading (all these authors other books are also worth checking out);

   - Mathematics, Queen and Servant of Science - https://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Queen-Servant-Science-Tem...

   - Mathematics and the Physical World - https://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Physical-World-Dover-Book...

   - Mathematician's Delight - https://www.amazon.com/Mathematicians-Delight-Dover-Books-Ma...

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3. billswiftOct 2009
   Your ignorance is not the poster's problem. I have a very general idea of what most of them are about. If you want to learn a bit ABOUT math it really isn't that hard, there are lots of good books, I suggest Davis and Hersh's "The Mathematical Experience" and Eric T Bell's "Mathematics: Queen and Servant of Science" to start. The problem with the Web is that most pieces are too short (for good reason, given the constraints) or too technical for basic learning.
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4. billswiftAug 2009
   If you want to DO math, nothing beats working through a decent textbook. I have worked through several since I'm approaching 50 and don't use math enough to keep my skills up (and like any skill, you have to keep practicing to stay decently competent in math). The best Precalculus textbook I have used is Swokowski's "Algebra and Trigonometry with Analytic Geometry" which is clear, concise, and has lots of problems.

   If you want to learn ABOUT math, Davis and Hersch's "The Mathematical Experience" is a fairly easy read about philosophy of math, how it is used, and a bit about studying math.

   Eric Temple Bell's "Mathematics: Queen and Servant of Science" is a bit dated but an excellent history of math for someone interested in learning to do advanced math; the author's a bit biased towards algebra over analysis, number theory, and geometry, but not excessively so. Its biggest lack is only one short chapter on probability and statistics. This is not a particularly easy read since it covers things in some depth, but I think it is worth the effort.

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