Start with The Algorithm Design Manual and understand everything it says. Then try some exercises and re-read the entire book again. Use google to study any m

Start with The Algorithm Design Manual and understand everything it says. Then try some exercises and re-read the entire book again. Use google to study any math in TADM you don't understand up front. TAOCP isn't for reading from cover to cover and, arguably, neither is CLRS (especially for "first time through" studies).