A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra)

Engineering professor Barbara Oakley knows firsthand how it feels to struggle with math. For example, there are more than three hundred different known proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem. In short, studying a problem in a laser-focused way until you reach a solution is not an effective way to learn. When she saw how her lack of mathematical and technical savvy severely limited her options—both to rise in the military and to explore other careers—she returned to school with a newfound determination to re-tool her brain to master the very subjects that had given her so much trouble throughout her entire life. Oakley lets us in on the secrets to learning effectively—secrets that even dedicated and successful students wish they’d known earlier. Contrary to popular belief, math requires creative, as well as analytical, thinking.   In A Mind for Numbers, Dr. She flunked her way through high school math and science courses, before enlisting in the army immediately after graduation. The companion book to COURSERA®'s wildly popular massive open online course "Learning How to Learn"Whether you are a student struggling to fulfill a math or science requirement, or you are embarking on a career change that requires a new skill set, A Mind for Numbers offers the tools you need to get a better grasp of that intimidating material. The learning strategies in this book apply not only to math and science, but to any su

Where was this when I went to school!@*#%! The authors history which was the impetus for her to write this book is very much like mine. Good at languages lousy at math, into the military, and many careers later. I didn't hate math on the contrary but never was very good at it. After repeatedly getting shunned for questioning why something was done a certain pretty much convinced me I would never gain membership to the club.. For years I operated under the cloud of misconception about my own learning abilities causing me to shy away from many subjects Dr. Oakley does a masterful job in introducing the science of learning to readers in a way that is very engaging, practical, infectious and liberating. Her work provided me with a functional "User's Manual" to this magnificent gift that I have called my brain. For years I operated under the cloud of misconception regarding my own learning abilities causing me to shy away from many . This is about learning anything Don't expect math classes inside this book. What it will give you is the right way to actually learn from the books that have those classes.Maybe I would have selected another title for it because it actually helps in learning anything.I took the coursera class "Learning how to learn", which this book is a companion for and I'm glad I invested this time. Now I will apply it to my o

Barbara Oakleyis a professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. . Pilkington Award for exemplary work in bioengineering education. Carlson Award for outstanding technical innovation in STEM pedagogy and the Theo L. Her research has been termed "revolutionary" by the Wall Street Journal. She has received many national awards for her teaching, including the American Society of Engineering Education Ch

Ayala, University Professor and Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, and former President and Chairman of the Board, American Association for the Advancement of Science“Being good at science and mathematics isn’t just something you are; it’s something you become. In A Mind for Numbers, polymath Barbara Oakley reveals how to unlock the analytic powers of our brains so we can learn how to learn. This book is a classic, not only for learners of all ages, but for teachers of all kinds.”—Frances R. Giving students deep knowledge on how to learn will lead to higher retention and student success in every field. “A good teacher will leave you educated. Michael Shaughnessy, Past President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics “I ha