GET YOUR MATH ON!

100% bullshit-free textbooks on high school math, vectors, calculus, mechanics, and linear algebra.



Perfect for busy adults.

Better math textbooks

Affordable textbooks with concise lessons that are actually fun to read.

MATH & PHYSICS

Imagine a single textbook that covers high school math, calculus, and mechanics. Calculus and mechanics are often taught as separate subjects, but this book integrates the two subjects into a coherent whole. Learning mechanics and calculus in parallel is much easier and more interesting.

The book begins with a review chapter on numbers, algebra, equations, functions, in order to make the study of mechanics and calculus accessible for all readers.

LINEAR ALGEBRA

This textbook covers all the material of a university-level course through lessons written in a style that is precise and concise. Linear algebra is the foundation of science and engineering.

In the later chapters of the book, readers get a chance to apply their linear algebra skills to solving problems in chemistry, electronics, economics, probability theory, machine learning, computer graphics, signal processing, and even quantum mechanics.

Are you:

a student?

Worried about an upcoming exam? Don't be. The math and physics book will teach you everything you need to know about equations, functions, vectors, forces, momentum, energy, limits, derivatives, integrals, sequences, and series. The linear algebra book will teach you everyting you need to know about liner algebra and its applications.

The books include hundreds of solved problems to help you succeed on your exams.

a self-learner?

Curious to learn math and physics but never had the time? Now's your chance!

Try the practice problems to test your understanding.

a math hater?

Beef up your math skills and get rid of math phobia. Discover a beautiful subject that can bring you tons of knowledge buzz.

Doing math is like playing with LEGO. It's fine if you don't want to play, but you'd be missing out on a lot of fun.

Okay cool but...

A dude who assumes math is difficult.

Isn't math hard?
Programmer who wants to learn from the web.

Can't I just learn math from the web?
A girl who doesn't care about math.

I'm in Arts. I don't care about math.

You can learn math and physics, regardless of your math background.

We've got what you need

  • Enjoy clear explanations
  • Review all the prerequisites
  • Learn how the topics and concepts are connected
  • Understanding, not memorization
  • Test yourself by solving problems
  • Kick ass on your finals!

Finally, math textbooks that don't suck.

What you're saying:

Refreshing

I'm glad somebody with proper math understanding wrote this excellent piece. The title matches exactly the content—you will not find any boring academic bullshit in this book, but plenty of refreshing learning material about math and physics with charts, diagrams, formulas, and examples.

Wojciech Pietrzak, developer

Compact and funny

It's literally two heavy textbooks packed into a very light and small book. I love the book. My only problem has been when I am working through it in the library and start laughing out loud—you have great examples.

Miriam Aczel, student

Lifesaver

Learning calculus in university? You need this book. It's that simple. It is both concise and helpful. For me it was a lifesaver.

Greame Nathan, student

Totally readable

I like the conversational tone of your writing. It's almost like I'm learning math from a friend.

Kevin Del Castillo, developer

Written by a mad scientist

I studied electrical engineering, physics, and computer science at McGill University, tracing the mathematical connections between these subjects.

Tutoring experience

I have more than 17 years of teaching experience as a private tutor, and I've helped many students overcome their fear of math and ace their exams. My teaching strategy focusses on explaining the connections between concepts.

The company

I started Minireference Publishing Co. to bring much-needed changes to the textbook industry. Using open source software and print-on-demand technology, we produce high-quality textbooks at a fraction of the price of mainstream textbooks.

Ivan Savov

Ivan Savov, B.Eng. / M.Sc. / Ph.D.

Okay, enough scrolling—read the books:

NO BULLSHIT GUIDE TO MATH & PHYSICS

$29
No bullshit guide to math and physics eBook
  • 2 PDFs    , ePub, and Mobi
  • includes future updates
$33
No bullshit guide to math and physics
  • 526 pages, paperback
  • 5½" x 8½" x 1"
$49
No bullshit guide to math and physics hardcover
  • 526 pages, hardcover
  • 6" x 9" x 1¼"

NO BULLSHIT GUIDE TO LINEAR ALGEBRA

$29
No bullshit guide to linear algebra eBook
  • 2 PDFs    , ePub, and Mobi
  • includes future updates
$39
No bullshit guide to linear algebra
  • 596 pages, paperback
  • 5½" x 8½" x 1¼"
$59
No bullshit guide to linear algebra hardcover
  • 596 pages, hardcover
  • 6" x 9" x 1½"

also available in select bookstores

Free stuff

Printable tutorials for your next coffee break. Introduce some knowledge buzz into your coffee buzz!

Make computers do math for you

An introduction to the computer algebra system SymPy, which can help you with all kinds of calculations:

  • Manipulating math expressions
  • Solving equations
  • Vector calculations
  • Physics problems
  • Derivative and integral calculations
  • Linear algebra problems

Recommended reading for people with math anxiety.

High school math concept map

A visual map of all the fundamental ideas of mathematics and the connections between them:

  • Solving equations
  • Algebra
  • Functions
  • Exponents and logarithms
  • Geometry
  • Vectors
  • Sets and set notation

This concept map will help you understand math terms.

Mechanics in seven pages

This tutorial explains all the key ideas of mechanics (PHYSICS 101) in a condensed format, which is perfect if you only have a few days before your final:

  • Projectile motion
  • Force diagrams
  • Momentum
  • Energy
  • Angular motion
  • Simple harmonic motion

For the full details, get the math and physics book.

Calculus and mechanics concept maps

Learn about the intricate connections between the concepts of mechanics and calculus:

  • Kinematics
  • Dynamics
  • Energy and momentum
  • Limits
  • Differential calculus
  • Integral calculus

Use these concept maps to make your life easier when learning these subjects.

Linear algebra tutorial

It takes months to learn linear algebra, and years to fully understand all the details.

This four-page tutorial introduces the main ideas:

  • Vectors
  • Matrices
  • Linear transformations
  • Matrix representations
  • Eigenvalues and eigenvectors

For more details, get the linear algebra book.

Linear algebra concept maps

A detailed overview of the most important concepts of linear algebra, and the connections between them:

  • Linear transformations
  • Matrices
  • Vector spaces
  • Computational linear algebra
  • Geometric linear algebra
  • Linear algebra applications

Learn about the connections between linear transformations, matrices, and vector spaces.

Mailing list

Subscribe and we'll let you know when new material is released.

This mailing list is very low traffic because writing and editing math content takes a long time.

From the company blog

Press

Apr 2023: The No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra was featured in the 20 Best Math Books to Read Now list on Abackus.

Sep 2021: I launched the No Bullshit Guide to Mathematics (high school math) and the new website noBSmath.com. The book also available in French. See also this related blog post.

Mar 2020: RichardOnData recommends the No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra in a video about data science.

Jan 2020: The Korean translations of the MATH & PHYSICS and the LINEAR ALGEBRA books are now ready.

Mar 2018: A detailed review of the No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra appeared on machinelearningmastery.com

Apr 2017: No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra v2 launch.

Jan 2016: The book reached top five bestsellers on Amazon.com in Calculus and is picking up excellent reviews.

Sept 2014: Fifth edition released with 250+ new solved problems, content improvements and a new SymPy tutorial.

Mar 2014: No Bullshit Guide to Linear Algebra released on HN.

Apr 2013: Featured on an episode of the TechZing Show. See postscript here.

Jan 2013: The No Bullshit Guide to Math & Physics was announced on Hacker News. Topped the homepage for a day!

Upcoming

  • The No Bullshit Guide to Statistics is nearly finished: the chapters on DATA, PROB, and INFERENTIAL STATS are done, and I'm writing the final two chapters on LINEAR MODELS and BAYESIAN STATS. Check out the blog posts[1, 2, 3 4], the concept map, and the book outline for more info. You can also sign up for the noBSstats mailing list to be notified when the book is released (mid-2024).
  • Math lessons delivered as a weekly email. Sign up here if this sounds interesting.
  • No Bullshit Guide to Math & Physics PART II: optics, waves, electricity & magnetism, vector calculus (planned for 2025).
  • The No Bullshit Guide to Engineering is going to combine topics from civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and thermal engineering based on the common language of ordinary differential equations used throughout. Don't expect the book before 2025. In the meantime, I recommend this blog post and the online interactive book Modelica by Example [1, 2, 3] for learning about the state-of-the-art software tools for solving ordinary differential equations.