MOMIT · on MIT OpenCourseWare
Mathematics for Computer Science (6.042J)
Intermediate 40 hours EnglishFREE
Our recommendation
MIT's Mathematics for Computer Science, free on OpenCourseWare — the discrete maths and proof techniques behind algorithms and computer science. It is rigorous and proof-heavy, an excellent foundation for anyone serious about CS theory. No certificate from the free materials.
Skills you'll gain
Discrete mathematicsProofsLogicProbabilityGraph theoryCombinatorics
Is this course right for you?
A good fit if you…
You want the maths behind CS
You are comfortable with rigour
You study independently
Consider something else if you…
You want applied coding
You dislike proofs
You need a certificate
About this course
Mathematics for Computer Science is the discrete math course at MIT that underpins algorithm analysis, cryptography, and the theoretical foundations of computing. It covers mathematical proof techniques, number theory, graph theory, probability and counting — the mathematical machinery that algorithm proofs, data structures analysis, and cryptographic systems depend on.
What you'll learn
Write and evaluate mathematical proofs (direct, contradiction, induction)
Apply number theory to cryptographic and computer science problems
Analyze graphs and graph algorithms using graph theory
Apply counting and probability to algorithm analysis and CS problems
Reason formally about algorithm correctness and complexity
This course includes
40h
On-demand video
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
What it costs
Completely free through MIT OpenCourseWare. There is no certificate.
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Instructor
TL
Tom Leighton / Albert Meyer
MIT OpenCourseWare instructor
800K+ learners6 courses4.8 instructor rating
Taught by Tom Leighton (MIT professor and co-founder of Akamai Technologies) and Albert Meyer, MIT Professor of Computer Science — both known for connecting mathematical theory to practical CS.
About this provider
MO
MIT OpenCourseWare
MIT OpenCourseWare — free, openly licensed course materials from MIT's actual courses, including lecture notes, problem sets, and exams. No certificate.
Frequently asked questions
No. OpenCourseWare provides the materials free but does not certify completion.
Completely. All lectures and problem sets are open.
Discrete maths and proofs underpin algorithms, complexity and much of computer science theory.
Yes. It is rigorous and proof-heavy, but that rigour is the point.
Some mathematical maturity. It is pitched at intermediate level.