I recommend 'Mathematics for the Digital Age and Programming in Python'. http://www.skylit.com/mathandpython.html (definitely go with the Python 3 edition, don't trip up on eBay)
It's obscure, it's esoteric, it's used at some of the best schools in the country (and no one is stopping others from using it). It steers toward RSA (an algorithm) about which much literature exists, including for teens, most prominent of which is probably In Code by Sarah Flannery http://www.amazon.com/Code-Mathematical-Journey-Sarah-Flannery/dp/1565123778 (lots of good buys) If he gets into it, then lots more where that came from, including me in some Python.tv video (sounds like some grampa, complete with dorky photos) http://4dsolutions.net/ocn/rsa.html Other background also at my site, plus I know a guy who works for the company that puts hardware RSA chips in cable TV boxes (DirecTV uses that -- or did, I may be out of date on the specifics, plus haven't been a subscriber for some time, despite the dish still pointed skyward ** ). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_decryption Kirby ** http://www.flickr.com/photos/17157315@N00/4835451138/ (note dish to the left -- blind as a bat). I have access to other neighborhood homes though (bars etc.), so it's not like I miss everything HD. On Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM, roberto <robert...@gmail.com> wrote: > I have to help a teenager who's fond of computer science. > He told me he wants to learn "the tough algorithms out there". Of > course, nobody helps him at school. > > I'd like to know some resources to guide him from the very basics of > programming to as far as he can at the moment. > Since python is my first choice, personally speaking, can you give me > some suggestion about a step-by-step introduction to algorithms ? > > Thank you ! > > -- > roberto > _______________________________________________ > Edu-sig mailing list > Edu-sig@python.org > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig > _______________________________________________ Edu-sig mailing list Edu-sig@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig