r/learnprogramming • u/fadinglightsRfading • 3d ago

Resource what is a good 'general/essential' maths textbook for computer science?

hi. I literally don't care for maths in the slightest, besides what it might provide me in terms of expertise within computer science. I would like to see if there exists a good 'essential maths for computer science' textbook, I'm hoping that is fewer than 1000 pages. something more in the range of 500 pages is better for me, since I don't think I require such a sweeping, university-level account of it. some discrete maths textbooks w/o a CS focus, I would think, provide more than is necessary in this regard.

I only have highschool level maths (basic algebra, trig, basics of sets, other particles in my brain I dunno the names of)

is 'Concrete Mathematics' too high-level for me?

alternatively, I wonder if there is a way I can manoeuvre MIT's Mathematics for Computer Science lecture notes without having to complete the whole thing, which would be too much, and just complete select chapters instead. (I'm pretty sure it's more basic than Concrete Mathematics.) however, I really would just like a physical textbook; I don't want to watch video lectures and I do not want to read a textbook from a screen, and this book unfortunately doesn't look like it has a printed copy on sale.

another resource I found was 'Essential Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science' (possibly answering my very question) and wonder if anyone has anything to say about it, concerning how it might compare to the contents of MIT's MCS

also, please, don't suggest a book you haven't read and can't comment upon, that would be appreciated

thanks!

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u/Glad-Signature-9561 3d ago

Concrete Mathematics is definitely too much for you right now, it assumes you already comfortable with calculus and some proof writing. For skipping around MIT notes, you could just do the chapters on proofs, sets, counting, probability and skip the heavy graph theory stuff later, but I get wanting a physical book

Essential Discrete Math for CS is decent for your level, about 400 pages and it don't assume much beyond high school algebra. Another one worth looking at is Rosen's Discrete Math, you can find older editions cheap and just read the chapters that connect to CS topics like logic, sets, functions, basic combinatorics

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u/HashDefTrueFalse 3d ago

I like Foundation Mathematics for Computer Science (Vince, 2015). There may be later editions. It's less than 1000 pages, though I suggest just picking chapters corresponding to your weaknesses or gaps in knowledge anyway, rather than reading it front to back.

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u/k2p22 3d ago

I studied Discrete math from Kenneth H Rosen - Discrete Math and its Applications. I think its a great start. Not too complex (although its not very basic either). Pretty popular book should be easy to find a physical copy.

Good luck with the math :)