5 books you should read to increase your confidence in math as Data Scientist

This is a coffee mug from my time at CERN. The equation on it is Standard Model Lagrangian: a compact description of interactions between all known elementary particles and, thus, ultimately, how our Universe works. Isn't it fascinating that such a fundamental description can fit a coffee mug?

This is the beauty and power of mathematics for me. As a physicist I was lucky to get excellent training in math. However, to become efficient as a Data Scientist in the industry, I had to learn some practical things (e.g., python libraries) and how to explain concepts I knew from physics in a more common language.

Also, you don't need a Ph.D. in Physics to become confident in math!

5 books to help you learn and master the mathematics for Data Science:

If you can't read any serious content about Machine Learning (like papers), because formulas scare you, here is one book, which can help you to overcome this fear:

"Mathematics for Machine Learning" by Marc Peter Deisenroth

Available for free

If you're looking for more practical content with code examples, check out "Practical Statistics for Data Scientists: 50 Essential Concepts" by Peter Bruce, Andrew Bruce. It contains the most important concepts and buzzwords you need to know as a Data Analyst/Scientist

If you are curious about statistics and looking for light and entertaining books on this topic, here are top-3 in the order of rising complexity:

"Naked Statistics" by Charles Wheelan

Beginner-friendly introduction to the fundamentals of statistics. This is a good starting point if you have never heard about statistics or forgotten everything you knew about it.

"The art of statistics" by David Spiegelhalter

This is an exciting book not on mathematical statistics but on the practical aspects: how to gain clean data and interpret them. Beginners friendly level

"Probably Overthinking It: How to Use Data to Answer Questions, Avoid Statistical Traps, and Make Better Decisions" by Allen Downey

This book will help you to develop good intuition and quickly recognize when someone tries to fool you with statistics.