4 ms·

A Mathematical Atlas

34 points by imranq 12y ago

platz 12y ago
Funny, the leaves of the tree are emails he's saved from posting to usergroups. I suppose you could create something like this from all your comments e.g. on HN
AndrewKemendo 12y ago
What I really want is a mathematical dictionary. As a non-mathematician it is terribly frustrating to read math, or really any study with significant mathematics, and not know what the specific symbols mean that are assumed to be understood. I mean most spell out the terms for each equation, but do not describe (rightfully so for brevity) the operands. My math background is not exactly weak (through linear algebra) but the symbols that are in set theory, topology and other disciplines would be really nice to have a reference for.
- webnrrd2k 12y ago
  I have a hard copy of the Princeton Companion to Mathematics and find it incredibly useful -- highly recommended. http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Companion-Mathematics-Timothy-Gowers/dp/0691118809 http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Companion-Mathematics-Timoth...
  - wuschel 12y ago
    I prefer the Handbook of Mathematics by Bronstein, which is a math reference bible for most science students in Germany. http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Mathematics-I-N-Bronshtein/dp/3540434917 http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Mathematics-I-N-Bronshtein/dp...
    - weinzierl 12y ago
      The Bronstein is awesome and it has a fantastic index but I wouldn't call it a dictionary. Moreover it's far from comprehensive regarding to mathematics because it contains mostly topics relevant for engineering, physics and economics. Vieweg Mathematik Lexikon is good, but in German. There must be something similar in English.
- cma 12y ago
  I usually am able to find everything here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mathematical_symbols http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mathematical_symbols
  - AndrewKemendo 12y ago
    I have actually used that page a bunch and thought at some point about using that page as a starting point for a pocket reference.
- weinzierl 12y ago
  You comment reminds me of a talk Donald Knuth gave at Google. Someone from the audience asked him what he does if he remembers a mathematical concept vaguely and the name of it escapes him. Donald Knuth made a big smile an said something along: I'm so and so old, you can bet I have made some friends along that I can call and ask. My takeaway is: There are mathematical dictionaries, but they are not that useful in many cases.
williamstein 12y ago
Nostalgia: "This site last updated (and all links checked) 2002/04/18"
tpush 12y ago
Interestingly, there's no mention of type theory in Foundations or Compuer Science.

34 points by imranq 12y ago

platz 12y ago

Funny, the leaves of the tree are emails he's saved from posting to usergroups. I suppose you could create something like this from all your comments e.g. on HN

AndrewKemendo 12y ago

What I really want is a mathematical dictionary. As a non-mathematician it is terribly frustrating to read math, or really any study with significant mathematics, and not know what the specific symbols mean that are assumed to be understood. I mean most spell out the terms for each equation, but do not describe (rightfully so for brevity) the operands. My math background is not exactly weak (through linear algebra) but the symbols that are in set theory, topology and other disciplines would be really nice to have a reference for.

webnrrd2k 12y ago
I have a hard copy of the Princeton Companion to Mathematics and find it incredibly useful -- highly recommended. http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Companion-Mathematics-Timothy-Gowers/dp/0691118809 http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Companion-Mathematics-Timoth...
- wuschel 12y ago
  I prefer the Handbook of Mathematics by Bronstein, which is a math reference bible for most science students in Germany. http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Mathematics-I-N-Bronshtein/dp/3540434917 http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Mathematics-I-N-Bronshtein/dp...
  - weinzierl 12y ago
    The Bronstein is awesome and it has a fantastic index but I wouldn't call it a dictionary. Moreover it's far from comprehensive regarding to mathematics because it contains mostly topics relevant for engineering, physics and economics. Vieweg Mathematik Lexikon is good, but in German. There must be something similar in English.
cma 12y ago
I usually am able to find everything here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mathematical_symbols http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mathematical_symbols
- AndrewKemendo 12y ago
  I have actually used that page a bunch and thought at some point about using that page as a starting point for a pocket reference.
weinzierl 12y ago
You comment reminds me of a talk Donald Knuth gave at Google. Someone from the audience asked him what he does if he remembers a mathematical concept vaguely and the name of it escapes him. Donald Knuth made a big smile an said something along: I'm so and so old, you can bet I have made some friends along that I can call and ask. My takeaway is: There are mathematical dictionaries, but they are not that useful in many cases.

williamstein 12y ago

Nostalgia: "This site last updated (and all links checked) 2002/04/18"

tpush 12y ago

Interestingly, there's no mention of type theory in Foundations or Compuer Science.