Maths: Back to Basics for 21-Year-Old Luke

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A 21-year-old seeking to strengthen their mathematics foundation for further studies in Physics and Quantum Mechanics is looking for resources to relearn essential math topics. They express regret over past academic performance but are now motivated to learn. The discussion highlights the recommendation of "Basic Mathematics" by Serge Lang, noted for its rigorous approach without simplification. While the book covers a wide range of topics such as linear equations, trigonometry, and complex numbers, it does not include calculus. Completing the chapters in this book is suggested as a solid preparation for calculus and university-level mathematics.
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Hey there everyone! I posted here a while back with basically the same query but I can find the post and I'm now ready to get my *** into gear!

I'm 21 years old, In school i wasn't the best behaved child, I regularly skipped it which i most certainly regret now! Anyways, in Maths i managed to get a C however i have pretty much forgotten everything! Due to my burning passion to learn more about Physics and QM in particular I need to go back to basics.

So, subjects ill need to know, I am guessing Geometry, Algebra, Calc etc? I'm a fairly intelligent person, and I'm highly motivated to learn now I've matured... A little :P

Can you give me a list of books to buy so i can crack on learning please :) My plan is, if i really enjoy learning the mathematics is to jump only a Uni access course and continue my education. So having the maths already in my brain would help me out alot!

Cheers guy and garls :) much appreciated!

Luke
 
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I can highly recommend "basic mathematics" by Serge Lang. It's a book that isn't dumbed down and teached the math as is. It presents the mathematics exactly how it should be presented.

Don't expect this book to contain nice pictures and cartoons, though. It's a real math book, and should be read as such.

But still, if you're preparing for college, then this is a very good and mature book.
 
Does this book cover all subjects? Will it also go right up to university standards?

Thanks for the reply!
 
It doesn't cover calculus, but it covers nearly everything else that is important. Here is the index:

Chapter 1: Numbers
Chapter 2: Linear Equations
Chapter 3: Real numbers
Chapter 4: Quadratic Equations
Chapter 5: Distance and Angles
Chapter 6: Isometries
Chapter 7: Area and Applications
Chapter 8: Coordinates and Geometry
Chapter 9: Operations on Points
Chapter 10: Segments, Rays and Lines
Chapter 11: Trigonometry
Chapter 12: Some Analytic Geometry
Chapter 13: Functions
Chapter 14: Mappings
Chapter 15: Complex Numbers
Chapter 16: Induction and Summations
Chapter 17: Determinants

If you complete all these chapters, then I'd say you're well prepared for calculus and university math!
 

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