Biomedical and Electrical Engineer with interests in information theory, evolution, genetics, abstract mathematics, microbiology, big history, IndieWeb, mnemonics, and the entertainment industry including: finance, distribution, representation
Purchase, Rent, or Pirate? Problem with #Textbooks in the Digital Age #edutech #college #phdchat http:/
With school about to start, some thoughts on choosing your own #textbooks http:/
Download Anthony Knapp's free Algebra textbooks http:/
Essay calls for a new approach to college textbooks | InsideHigherEd https:/
David Spivak's Category Theory for the Sciences [http:/
This argument certainly applies to reading advanced mathematics texts. (Cross reference: http:/
In Pinker's framework, advanced mathematics texts do have the requisite coherence relations, it's just that the distance between the relations are less coherent to some than others (who have more background.)
I'll turn this question around to suggest that instead of taking notes from your math/physics textbooks, that you're FAR better off PUTTING notes INTO them! Those margins are meant for writing down the parts of problems and examples that the author implicitly leaves out.
One typically wouldn't take notes from a Spanish, French, or Latin textbook would they? Like most languages, mathematics should be read and written to practice it (and maybe even spoken).
Knowing math or physics is best demonstrated by actually doing problems - and the majority of the time, this is what is going to be on the test too, so just pick up a pencil or pen and start working out the answers.
These subjects aren't like history, philosophy, or psychology with multiple choice or essay type questions that might benefit from note-taking, so just jump right in. Give the book a short read and start plugging away at problems.
If you have problems getting started, take a look at some of the examples provided by the author (or in other books), cover up the answer, and try to recreate the solution.
Drafting off of the Quora question "Why aren't math textbooks more straightforward?" (https:/
The Math Major Who Never Reads Math http:/
Certainly an interesting perspective on a very pervasive problem. I saw the provocative question "Why Aren’t Math Textbooks More Straightforward?" on Quora just the other day. I take much the same view as you (though I religiously read not only my assigned math texts for classes, but also read their competitors in search of increased clarity and beauty.) I spent a few minutes writing up a few thoughts on what is going on in math textbooks taking a broader view of the forest instead of complaining about the trees.
Perhaps some of the tentative will gain a better appreciation for mathematics: http:/
The repetition that a good mathematician (or really any good thinker) reads books with a pencil in hand needs to be drilled down to younger learners.
A parting math textbook joke:
Q. Why did Nicolas Bourbaki quit writing mathematics textbooks?
A. "He" realized that Serge Lang was just one person.