Best Mathematics book for complete noobie?
EdwardCoffin: I've had pretty good luck using the MAA recommendations list for libraries: http://mathdl.maa.org/mathDL/19/?pa=content&sa=viewDocum...I recommend reading Theodore Gray and Jerry Glynn's Brain Rot article for some ideas on what math skills are worth intensive study and development and which are less important: http://www.theodoregray.com/BrainRot/There are several articles and blog postings on the topic of math self study that I found interesting and you might find useful in determining what and how to study:
Developing your intuition for math: http://betterexplained.com/articles/developing-your-intuitio...
Math every day (Steve Yegge): http://steve.yegge.googlepages.com/math-every-day
Math for programmers (Steve Yegge): http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2006/03/math-for-programmers...
How to read mathematics (Shai Simonson and Fernando Gouvea):http://web.stonehill.edu/compsci/History_Math/math-read.htm