Is there a book that would be good to work through that is aimed at someone looking to get back into math?
So You Want to Study Mathematics https://www.susanrigetti.com/math
She also wrote:
So You Want to Learn Physics https://www.susanrigetti.com/physics
For review of anything up to and including calculus, I would recommend Khan Academy. It wouldn't be great on its own for learning a subject from scratch in my opinion but it's good as a refresher because the videos and exercises come in well-organized bite-sized chunks.
If you strongly prefer books, for review I'd recommend the shortest book you can find on a given subject that has a reasonable balance of explanation and exercises.
For new material, the answer will be completely subject specific, and also whether you are interested in more practical or more theoretical understanding of the given topic.
[1]The Road to Reality:
"Ask HN: I suck at math, where to start?", "Ask HN: How do I learn math/physics in my thirties?", "Ask HN: How to self-learn math?", "Ask HN: Best way to relearn basic math?"
They have a book on the course website that's pretty good
It's a pretty large tome, but covers all the basics and is a great reference. It goes well with Khan Academy videos for example.
Amir Alexander loves math and shared five books about the power and wonder of math. They can be fun as they both teach it and inspire through it.
Lara Alcock shared the best books for studying undergraduate mathematics: https://shepherd.com/best-books/studying-undergraduate-mathe... *She wrote a book on mathematics as a major and has amazing exp.
For specific example, I've literally studied linear algebra probably close to a dozen times in my life, including full courses from two different universities whose names end with "institute of technology", and I'm currently using math academy to review the subject again. I've already encountered several things that are straight up new to me, and the presentation/practice and spaced repetition review of the things I just never managed to lock into my long term memory is already helping me finally own them.
A Beginner's Guide to the Mathematics of Computer Science by J.E. McLeod and J.A. Fekete
I can't find this on Google or Amazon. Does it even exist??
I don't care what you do
"How to Ace Calculus: The Streetwise Guide" by Colin Adams, Joel Hass, and Abigail Thompson. This book is designed to help you (re)learn the key concepts and techniques of calculus, which is the study of change and motion in the physical world. It includes lots of examples, exercises, and practical tips to help you master the material.
"The Joy of X: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity" by Steven Strogatz. This book is a friendly and accessible introduction to math, covering a wide range of topics from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus and beyond. It is written in a conversational style and includes lots of examples and illustrations to help make the material more engaging and easy to understand.
"Algebra for Everyone: In-Depth Coverage, Examples, and Exercises" by James Brennan. This book is a comprehensive guide to algebra, which is the study of equations and formulas. It covers all the key concepts and techniques, including linear equations, quadratic equations, polynomials, and factoring, as well as more advanced topics like algebraic fractions and equations.
Overall, the best book for you will depend on your specific goals and interests. If you want to focus on a specific area of math like calculus, a book like "How to Ace Calculus" could be a good choice. If you want a more general introduction to math, a book like "The Joy of X" or "Algebra for Everyone" might be more suitable.
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My personal recommendation: All the Mathematics You Missed: But Need to Know for Graduate School