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atucker comments on Advice for a Budding Rationalist - Less Wrong Discussion

7 Post author: atucker 19 November 2010 03:10AM

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Comment author: atucker 19 November 2010 09:38:42PM 1 point [-]

Thanks.

I hope I'm able to follow through on the taking care of myself bit. Its sorta annoying how many people know stuff like that, but don't actually do it.

Slight question: What kinds of math do you find cool/helpful? I know a lot of calculus, a good deal of statistics, basic probability stuff, and a smattering of information theory (enough to not get totally lost on wikipedia). Am I missing any? Linear Algebra comes to mind.

Comment author: [deleted] 19 November 2010 10:42:41PM 1 point [-]

It depends what you want to do with yourself: if you have a technical major, the mathematical requirements will become clearer. (For example, graph theory is much more important in computer science than in, say, physics.) For general knowledge, learn linear algebra and multivariable calculus. If you haven't already, read a book/take a class that's heavily proof-based -- for example, Rudin's Principles of Mathematical Analysis. Being comfortable with formal proof is necessary for a number of disciplines (not just math) and is, I think, good for your brain. (I think of learning to prove as a similar kind of transformative experience as learning to read -- except that nearly all of us learn to read and not so many of us learn to prove.)