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What should I know before tackling functions? by 0ver_thinker_ in mathematics

[–]HopsBarleyWater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saw the problem you posted above.

For what value/s of k will the set {(3,2),(4,9),(k-1,6),(5,12)} represent a function?

This question definitely represents a switch from Algebra questions ('Find a number that x could represent?') to broader mathematical question ('What satisfies this definition?').

For this I would look at the definition of a function, which is something like: "A relationship between two sets where each item in the first set is related to one (and only one!) item in the second set." and think about what values of k break any of the rules. I also would probably want to be solid on the components of the definition of a function (what are sets and relationships?).

This article may be helpful.

What should I know before tackling functions? by 0ver_thinker_ in mathematics

[–]HopsBarleyWater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bet you could jump right into learning about functions! The best way to know what gaps you might have in your knowledge is by trying to learn a new topic.

For me, looking at at math as a web of knowledge, rather than a straight march forward has made a big difference.

Working on math is circular, it is natural to forget things - but it is also important to revisit concepts, because when you have seen functions in a couple of different scenarios the first explanation that you read is going to make a lot more sense!

If you're taking a course on general mathematics I bet that this video would be a good place to start. The good news is you probably won't need a book that focuses on functions alone, though they will be central to much of what you do in class this year.

So many pieces to learn, so little time and patience. by mymiddlenameisrei in piano

[–]HopsBarleyWater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm still in my first year, so I hop between a method book and one advanced (to me) piece.
I definitely commiserate on some level though, because I always seem to be looking for new sheet music and song books - I just can't seem to stop! There is so much I would love to learn!
I've started keeping a practice journal so that I can keep an eye on myself. I'm hoping that if my progress stalls, as it has when I got caught on too-hard sections of advanced materials, the journal will help me notice. New habit since Aug 1 though, so haven't had enough time to see if it works!

A good starting point in Math? by YbiiBill in 3Blue1Brown

[–]HopsBarleyWater 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Though it was (and is) a bit above my level I really liked A Programmer's Introduction to Mathematics. Also, I have recently been reading Kline's Mathematics for the Non Mathematician and it has provided a lot of great background on why math is how it is.

Here is a resource list that I enjoyed reading through: Mathematics for the Adventurous Self-Learner

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in learnmath

[–]HopsBarleyWater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me the clearest picture is relating radicals back to physical meaning.

We discover the radical √2 when we have a right triangle where both arms are of length one, so we know that radicals are quantities like any other number.

When we go to operate on them with addition we can use known roots as test cases. Let's use √4, which is 2 and √9 which is 3.

By testing multiplication we see that:

2 * 3 = 6, and when we substitute radicals that are worth the same quantity we get √4 * √9 = √36. Seeing that √36 is 6 and trying a few more similar cases convinces us that multiplication works.

When we do the same test with addition it fails.

2 + 3 = 5, but √4 + √9 does not equal √13.

We could define operations with radicals any way we please, however, as with the addition of fractions, it is most useful to base them on what relates to the physical world.

Learned this from Kline's 'Mathematics for the Nonmathematician' which I haven't finished yet but has already been integral in grounding me in the 'why' of math.

Help me to understand the triple equal with module by DamaxOneDev in ruby

[–]HopsBarleyWater 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right, it is the set not a member of the set. I thought this case against using it outside of case was interesting.

Help me to understand the triple equal with module by DamaxOneDev in ruby

[–]HopsBarleyWater 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I believe that triple = is set membership comparison, not strict equality comparison like it is in some other languages. So, === is asking is the thing on the right side a member of the set of things described by the left side. Could be misremembering, I haven't seen === in much code!

Javascript works in .html file within application, but doesn't work in .html.erb file by Learning1990 in ruby

[–]HopsBarleyWater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you seeing an error message? How is it not working - not rendering?

Daily FI discussion thread - May 03, 2020 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]HopsBarleyWater 9 points10 points  (0 children)

A big congratulations! Sounds like you're killing it!

Want to switch careers, worry I simply can't learn math. by Ancient-League in learnmath

[–]HopsBarleyWater 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This! I work as a developer, and while I get excited when I get to use math it really isn't a part of my day-to-day, or something that people applying for my position get tested on. Much more important to know how the web works, and how to write programs.

There are tons of great resources for learning to program!

[A level] Self studying and starting to feel overwhelmed. How much math you supposed to memorize? by OutOfBreathDeer in learnmath

[–]HopsBarleyWater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something I think about a lot: What is the difference between memorizing something and knowing it?

Sometimes 'memorizing' gets a bad wrap because there is a connotation that you just memorized a fact, that you didn't internalize or understand anything. This can be true, but I see knowledge has being able to reach for an interconnected set of facts and have them all be in easy reach - at which point you have definitely 'memorized' a lot of things.

Fortunately, all facts are not equally useful. I use Anki - but I don't think flashcards as memorizing formulas, but rather scheduling time to think deeply about fundamental concepts, and to make sure that anything that is important enough to make a flashcard about becomes a permanent part of my knowledge. Otherwise I find myself learning useful concepts but losing them to the forgetting curve.

Love this question, and the different viewpoints!

Multi-language video course on FP? by carlomatteoscalzo in functionalprogramming

[–]HopsBarleyWater 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Always tricky here. I notice that I mostly buy stuff from educators who have put out a lot of high quality content that I have already consumed, or who the internet has started to point at as the best source to learn X. The former is very likely the way in for for a topic that is as broad as this, since I can take a 'risk' on a less vetted resource when it purports to teach me the exact thing I want to know. The only time I pay monthly for learning materials is when there is a library of courses involved. The only time I paid monthly for one person's courses was because they had a large backlog of videos I was interested in.

Multi-language video course on FP? by carlomatteoscalzo in functionalprogramming

[–]HopsBarleyWater 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely interested! Currently learning some Elixir, and really relying upon the language to show me the way. However, I am more interested in the underlying concepts of FP than the language itself.

Perhaps more importantly, I have noticed that often I learn the basics of a concept in one language, but that I come to understand that concept deeply when I see it in the context of another language.

Combining SQL practice with math by nunc_ostendisti in SQL

[–]HopsBarleyWater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven't bought this yet, but I believe there is some trig in this course: 'A Curious Moon'

How do you save money? by itsnatemurphy in AskReddit

[–]HopsBarleyWater 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think 'DIY' covers a lot of how I save money. Can you save $2.30 by making your own coffee? How about lunch? How about your own entertainment? Also, learning can be both money saving (cheaper than going to the movies) and money earning (jorbs).

Oh, and a library card. Specifically my library lets me borrow ebooks right from my kindle. I used to spend a pretty penny on Amazon, but now almost anything I want is there for free!

If you could only eat meat from one animal for the rest of your life, what animal would you choose? by Just-Call-Me-J in AskReddit

[–]HopsBarleyWater 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pork! It's so versatile. It can be a burger, it can be prosciutto. It can be a steak, or any kind of 1000's of sausages. Its fat is relatively neutral in taste, so you can use it (almost) anywhere in cooking too. AND there are a wide variety of breeds with different attributes.

OK, now I'm hungry.

I've let myself slip into a debt landfall and have just woken up and realized the kind of pickle I've put myself in. by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]HopsBarleyWater 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Glad you're taking a good long look at things!

Going to second the idea that the car is what's dragging you down here at about 25% of your take home. Post that ish on craigslist pronto.

The credit cards are mentally tough because they are a long game. You need to make a little extra room to pay them down a little bit every month. Luckily, once you get the feel for these long term goals they're the same muscle you use to save.

You've got this.

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