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To the author: You might want to extend the preview PDF to include a few pages from later chapters. The issue's that the [current preview](https://pimbook.org
by _Nat_ 8y ago
To the author:
You might want to extend the preview PDF to include a few pages from later chapters. The issue's that the [current preview](https://pimbook.org/pdf/pim_first_pages.pdf https://pimbook.org/pdf/pim_first_pages.pdf) only gets into polynomials over its 45 pages. But since polynomials are typically taught to students during early childhood, it seems like most readers are liable to just skim that content, being more interested in the topics discussed later. For example, the start of Chapter 14 (on optimization) would be neat to see.
That said, I like the parts that translate between analytical expressions and programming code. Such mappings seem like high-value content to readers; the language barrier can keep people from understanding mathematical writing, while a few helpful translations can help to tear down those language barriers.
- westoncb 8y ago> But since polynomials are typically taught to students during early childhood, it seems like most readers are liable to just skim that content, ... My view was that the initial chapter was more about how to learn mathematics generally using polynomials as a source of examples, rather than being on the subject of polynomials like you'd get in grade school. Agreed though—I would like to see some of the later material, too :) Edit: actually you can skip around and see more on the Amazon preview.
- j2kun 8y agoThe Amazon preview has more pages, in case you're still curious.
- jordigh 8y agoI think the choice to showcase the polynomial chapter is deliberate. The topic is likely to be familiar to many, but he's using it as an example to explain why mathematicians do things they way they do. I've often expressed the same frustrations that he describes when trying to explain to programmers why mathematics can't be replaced with a rigid programming language.