Trouble with Math (or, Why did I take that year off?!)

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>I'm going to school for computer science at the moment. I took a year off right after earning my Associate's from the local community college (an extension of the University of Wisconsin system) but decided to return and am now attending the Green Bay campus. As far as the computer/programming aspect goes, I'm doing alright. As far as the math goes...not so well. And if I end up pursuing studies/a career in cryptography, I'm gonna need to be grounded in math.</p>

<p>I took Calculus before my break, and at this point I can only really remember how to take a simple derivative. I know that Calculus is usually more of an engineering/physics thing, but it turns out that I've lost a lot of the math skill I had going through High School and into college. This isn't a good thing at all - I got a D in Discrete Math II last semester, and SOME of the reason for that was due to my rustiness on moderately complex algebra and, in some cases, just plain forgetting how to do some simple things (I had to be reminded on how to add fractions, which was particularly embarrassing to ask).</p>

<p>If I want to pursue the interdisciplinary comp sci degree (a mix of comp sci and math) I'm gonna need to take Calc II and a Calc-based physics course...as well as a linear algebra, proofs, and algorithm theory course. So, what do you suggest? Are there any books out there that might be a worthwhile read over the summer? I don't really want to take Calc 1 again since I already have credit for it, but I'm having doubts about any sort of transition to Calc 2. I could go the easy way and choose an easy minor and ignore all the math, but that's not how I roll, son.</p>

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<p>Does your school offer tutoring? </p>

<p>For algebra, I swear by this book: Practical Algebra: A Self-Teaching Guide
For Calculus, get this one: 3000 Solved Problems in Calculus</p>

<p>Another good way to get practice problems is to google stuff like “calculus final exam.” You can probably find a dozen or more exams from various schools and usually they have the answers available.</p>

<p>Also, check out the mathtutordvd.com for supplemental instruction.</p>

<p>Do you have any of your old textbooks?</p>

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<p>No, I unfortunately have none of my old math books (In fact, the only math book I have is for Discrete Math, and it’s one of the driest reads I’ve had to experience). I’ll be sure to check out those two when I visit Barnes and Nobel tomorrow, thanks!</p>

<p>According to the school’s website, they offer quit a bit of tutoring, though they don’t have the list of tutors up for next Fall yet. I’ll be sure to keep an eye on that; it’s free as long as I’m attending and I’m sure they’ll have someone tutoring Calculus since it’s not exactly high-level, heh.</p>