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Ask HN: Basic math concepts for computer science

2 pointsby zabanaabout 8 years ago
Hey HN,<p>I&#x27;m a Backend Developer mostly working with Node, Python and Golang. I started as a Hobbyist three years ago so I don&#x27;t really have a formal education in CS. I have started learning (through the MIT open courseware program) and some of the concepts, while intellectually stimulating, went a bit over my head (especially determining algorithmic complexity).<p>So I wanted to ask you guys what are the basic mathematical skills one must learn to be able to grasp more complex concepts and ideas taught in CS curriculums.<p>Any help is hugely appreciated<p>Cheers

2 comments

mcbitsabout 8 years ago
Here are a few keywords that come to mind. You can find both high-level and deeper information on any of these: Proof by induction, Boolean algebra, recurrence relations, generating functions, &quot;counting problems&quot; in combinatorics.<p>If those topics are still troublesome, I&#x27;d say really drill yourself with algebra up through the highest math you&#x27;ve learned, until it&#x27;s second nature and you&#x27;re fairly comfortable with writing simple proofs. It&#x27;s really hard to follow lectures when things aren&#x27;t as &quot;obvious&quot; as the lecturer assumes.
brudgersabout 8 years ago
Graphs, the mathematical kind.<p>And chapter 1 of <i>The Art of Computer Programming</i>.<p>Both will be over most peoples&#x27; heads most of the time.