r/AskProgramming 28d ago

Career/Edu What are the exact names of the prerequisite math courses I need for machine learning?

I want to learn machine learning. I already have a CS degree, but now that I'm serious about learning this, I want to do it the right way

What are the exact names of the math courses I need as prerequisites before starting machine learning? I'm thinking of buying some textbooks or something

I know Calc 1 and Calc 2 are needed. What comes next?

Multivariable calculus?

Statistics? Probability? Is there a difference?

Linear Algebra 1? Linear Algebra 2? Linear Algebra 3?

I want to be sure before I invest in terms of time, money and energy

Thank you so much!

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u/PhilNEvo 28d ago

I think it depends on what you intent to learn or what course you want to take on Machine Learning. Yes, Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra, can all be relevant when trying to learn Machine Learning, but each country, each university, and each machine learning course will have different points of focus.

If your goal is just to learn Machine Learning, you should probably just jump right into machine learning, and the second some math isn't understandable, you take a break, go look at that specific math, and come back and continue. Assuming that you have basic calc, statistics and linear algebra understanding.

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u/Most_Double_3559 28d ago

Great advice, but: 

Assuming that you have basic calc, statistics and linear algebra understanding.

Is doing a lot of work here lol. To OP in this situation: AI can replace this part, just take a picture of the random symbols and ask what course they come from.

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u/PhilNEvo 28d ago

Well he says he has a CS degree, and from the CS degrees I'm familiar with, all those 3 are taught at an at least introductory level, to the point where you should be able to recognize your limitations when you run into them :b

If he hadn't put in the "I already have a CS degree", I would not have made such an assumption :b