Learn Math for Programming - Expanded Projects

Master practical math by building systems that depend on it: puzzles, graphics, cryptography, physics, probability, and graphs.

This directory contains expanded guides for each project in the Learn Math for Programming curriculum. Each project turns a math concept into a concrete, testable artifact.

Learning Philosophy

Math for programming is about tools you can wield: discrete reasoning, linear algebra, probability, and algorithms. These projects make each tool unavoidable.

The Progression

FOUNDATIONS
  P01 Sudoku Solver             -> constraint reasoning and search

STRUCTURE AND SPACE
  P02 3D Rendering Engine       -> vectors, matrices, projection
  P04 Simple Physics Engine     -> kinematics and integration

SECURITY AND PROBABILITY
  P03 RSA Cryptosystem          -> modular arithmetic and number theory
  P05 Bayesian Spam Filter      -> probability and statistics

COMBINATORICS
  P06 Graph Traversal Visualizer -> graphs and algorithms

Project Index

#	Project	Difficulty	Time	Core Concepts
P01	Sudoku Solver	Beginner	Weekend	Constraints, search
P02	3D Rendering Engine	Intermediate	2-3 weeks	Linear algebra
P03	RSA Cryptosystem	Intermediate	1-2 weeks	Number theory
P04	Simple Physics Engine	Intermediate	2-3 weeks	Calculus, vectors
P05	Bayesian Spam Filter	Intermediate	Weekend	Probability
P06	Graph Traversal Visualizer	Intermediate	Weekend	Graph theory

Core Concepts Map

Discrete Reasoning

What it is: Systematic search and constraints
Learned in: P01, P06
Key insight: Logic can be mechanized

Linear Algebra for Systems

What it is: Vectors and matrices that move points in space
Learned in: P02, P04
Key insight: Transformations are just matrix multiplications

Number Theory

What it is: Modular arithmetic and prime properties
Learned in: P03
Key insight: Security relies on math properties, not secrecy

Probability and Statistics

What it is: Quantifying uncertainty and evidence
Learned in: P05
Key insight: Probabilities become decisions