As for a "beginner level" introduction, I'm not really aware of any that isn't gritty rigorous Math. And in that case any would be as good as any other I suppose, since the definitions are always the same (except for perhaps the symbols used). If you feel like digging deeper I'm sure you'll find any number of resources on Google. All my notes and books for these topics are in non-English though, so I can't recommend you any reference here. But alas.
[2+2 <> 4]
quite interesting, thanks for giving me something new to chew on.
initially i thought you were referring to some sort of quantum effect as applied to math, as it seems quantum effects can create temporary energy as long as its "paid back" (like say a number, but not number in abstract, more like now when there was one something there are 2 somethings or 0 somethings.
i only went as far trig and some calc.. when i hit calc, and didnt see a traditional number on any page till like 50 pages in, my brain just stalled.
too busy then partying the best days of my life away. some regrets, but not many.
Honestly it's never to late, especially if you're interested.
When I was doing my Bachelor there was a guy well into his 50s or 60s who was taking all the "real" Math lectures with us as opposed to the dumbed down ones for Economists etc. People were very welcoming towards him and he seemed to be enjoying himself quite a lot. I changed universities throughout my Bachelor to the next city. And found the same guy taking Master level lectures at the new place when I was a bit later (first place was for Economics and Business with focus on Math, second had a proper full blown Math department). So clearly he didn't just attend, he was doing quite well too. And that appeared to be his first time at university in his life as well.
And older people have the big bonus that they may not have to perform or prove anything. You could just study for the sake of it, which takes all the stress away. And their life experiences can make it easier than for most young students who are still trying to figure out what the fuck is going on with life in the first place.
Be prepared to feel like a complete idiot as you start out, should you choose to do so though. I have not met anyone who didn't
at least throughout the better portion of the first semester. But even those come back years later and still find new things they had not considered. The very first minute of the very first lecture that I took I almost fell into despair just looking at the blackboard.
Anyway, not trying to shill you into anything here. But the option is there and worth considering. Especially for those with an appreciation of just thinking about things they don't need to for nothing other than the sake of doing so. There are very few ways that are similarly efficient in breaking down all of your preconceived notions as studying Mathematics. Such as notions of regret for example.
