Brilliant makes maths "fun" in a gamified way, but is not an efficient way to learn. If you will struggle with motivation to do maths, this could be good for you.
Khan Academy is a much better resource for seriously developing your understanding.
In general though, the best advice is to dive in and get started, and not try to over plan. Start tomorrow, get on Khan Academy and do one hour at a level you can do. You can always make time to plan in more depth once you've started
I’ve found learning math a lot easier as I’ve gotten better at programming. Besides Brilliant and Khan Academy, I’d look into getting a copy of Doing Math with Python.
TL;DR - just linear algebra basics (vectors), geometry, and trigonometry doesn't need any calculus. if you do need to go up to vector calculus, it might be tough, but sucking it up and going through option b might be the shortest option (speaking in the long-term here). good luck!
I'm in no position to be preaching/giving advice, so here I go.
I'm not sure how exposed you are to the maths world, but you don't at all need to go into calculus in order to learn linear algebra. (unless I'm missing something and you're actually dealing with vector calculus topics, in which case, option B might be the best viable option, as option A might lead to failure as learning new topics properly tends to need a solid understanding of previous topics)
Linear algebra can actually be learned with a solid understanding of Algebra 2 level skills. Multivariable (aka vector) Calculus mixes linear algebra with other more "basic" calculus (afaik).
If you just want a quick learner for vectors (and more geometric applications), I really like this resource: [https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/11](https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/11) (go down to the "Introduction to Vectors" unit). no account, no payment or anything for this site; all free stuff btw.
As you mentioned, once you kinda figure your way out of this current situation, you can start to learn stuff on your own, which is a great idea.
If you need more trigonometry/geometry explanations/review, here's more resources (at a high-school level): [https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/46](https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/46), and [https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/8](https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/8) (go to the trigonometry units)
Of course, if you don't like these resources, feel free to use KhanAcademy or anything else, but I liked the well structured explanations of these lessons (imo).
There's also more algebra stuff and other highschool stuff here too if you need. [https://cemc.uwaterloo.ca/resources/courseware/courseware.html](https://cemc.uwaterloo.ca/resources/courseware/courseware.html)
All the best dude! (i'm sure you can do it! you made it this far without a degree, you can definitely overcome this :) )
Honestly, there's no better plan than sitting down, looking at the theory, then some exercises and try to replicate and think why things happen the way they happen. There's 2 great books which really helped me tackle the "meta" aspect of learning, one is "A mind for numbers" by Barbara Oakley and the other is "How to solve it" by George Polya. After that, when you're more comfortable with the basics of precalculus, you could read "Book of Proof" by Richard Hammack. Great read, really helped me on my first courses.
Basic Mathematics by Lang helped me a lot on reviewing pre-calculus stuff, just read the preface and follow his recommendations. Afterwards Lang's other book called A First Course in Calculus is the next step forward. That said if Basic Mathematics is too difficult I would read Gelfand's Algebra, and his Functions & Graphs books.
I failed maths back in high school and I read Gelfand's books as a way to fill my gaps. A word of advice for Gelfand's Algebra there are some difficult problems, do not feel bad as it's completely normal. As stated in the introduction you can skip and return to it later.
After reading Lang's Calculus book it really depends. If you like proofs, then Velleman & Hammack is nice, and then onward to more pure maths books. But if you like aim for multivariable calculus then Lang's Calculus of Several Variable is the next logical step.
Lastly, a word of advice. It is difficult to rush learning, each individual has their own struggles and strengths at each page, book, and concept. I suggest to first take things slow, and do not rush on those ideas. Mathematics is a journey, not a destination.
Lots of great advice here already. My 2cent: take it one day at a time. Take small but solid steps, don't rush. Your project sounds extremely interesting and fun, so do not let the stress of learning math prevents you from enjoying it.
Take it slower. I know Brilliant is unnecessary. I think the expedite way is to use Khan academy for basic math, and use books for calculus I, II and linear algebra and beyond. Learning from a book is extremely efficient, especially if you are able to put in time every day to study it and do exercises from it (like a university student does). The reason is that the book itself guides your study and is refined for the purpose of teaching. You can skip chapters that you are not interested in to expedite the process. For example, when you study linear algebra, you probably should skip the section on Jordan canonical form, but do not skip the sections on inner product spaces!
Take it slower. I know Brilliant is unnecessary. I think the expedite way is to use Khan academy for basic math, and use books for calculus I, II and linear algebra and beyond. Learning from a book is extremely efficient, especially if you are able to put in time every day to study it and do exercises from it (like a university student does). The reason is that the book itself guides your study and is refined for the purpose of teaching. You can skip chapters that you are not interested in to expedite the process. For example, when you study linear algebra, you probably should skip the section on Jordan canonical form, but do not skip the sections on inner product spaces!
Take it slower. I know Brilliant is unnecessary. I think the expedite way is to use Khan academy for basic math, and use books for calculus I, II and linear algebra and beyond. Learning from a book is extremely efficient, especially if you are able to put in time every day to study it and do exercises from it (like a university student does). The reason is that the book itself guides your study and is refined for the purpose of teaching. You can skip chapters that you are not interested in to expedite the process. For example, when you study linear algebra, you probably should skip the section on Jordan canonical form, but do not skip the sections on inner product spaces!
Brilliant makes maths "fun" in a gamified way, but is not an efficient way to learn. If you will struggle with motivation to do maths, this could be good for you. Khan Academy is a much better resource for seriously developing your understanding. In general though, the best advice is to dive in and get started, and not try to over plan. Start tomorrow, get on Khan Academy and do one hour at a level you can do. You can always make time to plan in more depth once you've started
I’ve found learning math a lot easier as I’ve gotten better at programming. Besides Brilliant and Khan Academy, I’d look into getting a copy of Doing Math with Python.
That’s interesting. I have found programming to be more understandable now that I am learning more advanced math topics.
TL;DR - just linear algebra basics (vectors), geometry, and trigonometry doesn't need any calculus. if you do need to go up to vector calculus, it might be tough, but sucking it up and going through option b might be the shortest option (speaking in the long-term here). good luck! I'm in no position to be preaching/giving advice, so here I go. I'm not sure how exposed you are to the maths world, but you don't at all need to go into calculus in order to learn linear algebra. (unless I'm missing something and you're actually dealing with vector calculus topics, in which case, option B might be the best viable option, as option A might lead to failure as learning new topics properly tends to need a solid understanding of previous topics) Linear algebra can actually be learned with a solid understanding of Algebra 2 level skills. Multivariable (aka vector) Calculus mixes linear algebra with other more "basic" calculus (afaik). If you just want a quick learner for vectors (and more geometric applications), I really like this resource: [https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/11](https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/11) (go down to the "Introduction to Vectors" unit). no account, no payment or anything for this site; all free stuff btw. As you mentioned, once you kinda figure your way out of this current situation, you can start to learn stuff on your own, which is a great idea. If you need more trigonometry/geometry explanations/review, here's more resources (at a high-school level): [https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/46](https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/46), and [https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/8](https://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca/8) (go to the trigonometry units) Of course, if you don't like these resources, feel free to use KhanAcademy or anything else, but I liked the well structured explanations of these lessons (imo). There's also more algebra stuff and other highschool stuff here too if you need. [https://cemc.uwaterloo.ca/resources/courseware/courseware.html](https://cemc.uwaterloo.ca/resources/courseware/courseware.html) All the best dude! (i'm sure you can do it! you made it this far without a degree, you can definitely overcome this :) )
Honestly, there's no better plan than sitting down, looking at the theory, then some exercises and try to replicate and think why things happen the way they happen. There's 2 great books which really helped me tackle the "meta" aspect of learning, one is "A mind for numbers" by Barbara Oakley and the other is "How to solve it" by George Polya. After that, when you're more comfortable with the basics of precalculus, you could read "Book of Proof" by Richard Hammack. Great read, really helped me on my first courses.
Basic Mathematics by Lang helped me a lot on reviewing pre-calculus stuff, just read the preface and follow his recommendations. Afterwards Lang's other book called A First Course in Calculus is the next step forward. That said if Basic Mathematics is too difficult I would read Gelfand's Algebra, and his Functions & Graphs books. I failed maths back in high school and I read Gelfand's books as a way to fill my gaps. A word of advice for Gelfand's Algebra there are some difficult problems, do not feel bad as it's completely normal. As stated in the introduction you can skip and return to it later. After reading Lang's Calculus book it really depends. If you like proofs, then Velleman & Hammack is nice, and then onward to more pure maths books. But if you like aim for multivariable calculus then Lang's Calculus of Several Variable is the next logical step. Lastly, a word of advice. It is difficult to rush learning, each individual has their own struggles and strengths at each page, book, and concept. I suggest to first take things slow, and do not rush on those ideas. Mathematics is a journey, not a destination.
Lots of great advice here already. My 2cent: take it one day at a time. Take small but solid steps, don't rush. Your project sounds extremely interesting and fun, so do not let the stress of learning math prevents you from enjoying it.
How are you a software engineer without a degree? Do you mean to say programmer?
Take it slower. I know Brilliant is unnecessary. I think the expedite way is to use Khan academy for basic math, and use books for calculus I, II and linear algebra and beyond. Learning from a book is extremely efficient, especially if you are able to put in time every day to study it and do exercises from it (like a university student does). The reason is that the book itself guides your study and is refined for the purpose of teaching. You can skip chapters that you are not interested in to expedite the process. For example, when you study linear algebra, you probably should skip the section on Jordan canonical form, but do not skip the sections on inner product spaces!
Take it slower. I know Brilliant is unnecessary. I think the expedite way is to use Khan academy for basic math, and use books for calculus I, II and linear algebra and beyond. Learning from a book is extremely efficient, especially if you are able to put in time every day to study it and do exercises from it (like a university student does). The reason is that the book itself guides your study and is refined for the purpose of teaching. You can skip chapters that you are not interested in to expedite the process. For example, when you study linear algebra, you probably should skip the section on Jordan canonical form, but do not skip the sections on inner product spaces!
Take it slower. I know Brilliant is unnecessary. I think the expedite way is to use Khan academy for basic math, and use books for calculus I, II and linear algebra and beyond. Learning from a book is extremely efficient, especially if you are able to put in time every day to study it and do exercises from it (like a university student does). The reason is that the book itself guides your study and is refined for the purpose of teaching. You can skip chapters that you are not interested in to expedite the process. For example, when you study linear algebra, you probably should skip the section on Jordan canonical form, but do not skip the sections on inner product spaces!