How Does Pre-Calculus Enhance Your Understanding of Physics?

Nano-Passion
Messages
1,291
Reaction score
0
How does what you learn in pre-calculus relate to the physics that we use?

I'm in pre-calc right now so I find it interesting. One thing I persume is that certain functions such as f(x)\=x can show proportional growth of energy and acceleration or time?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Nano-Passion said:
How does what you learn in pre-calculus relate to the physics that we use?

I'm in pre-calc right now so I find it interesting. One thing I persume is that certain functions such as f(x)\=x can show proportional growth of energy and acceleration or time?

I presume that by "pre-calc" you mean algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. Knowing these subjects you can solve problems such as:

distance = rate * time
work = force*distance

These equations work fine as long as the rate is constant in the first and the force is constant in the second example. But in the real world they usually aren't constant. An automobile moving from point A to point B doesn't necessarily travel at a constant speed. And a planet moving past the sun doesn't experience a constant force.

Calculus allows you to solve such problems and many others where the parameters aren't all constant.
 
LCKurtz said:
I presume that by "pre-calc" you mean algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. Knowing these subjects you can solve problems such as:

No pre-calculus is the name of my course. It is a introductory to calculus course in essence.
 
Nano-Passion said:
No pre-calculus is the name of my course. It is a introductory to calculus course in essence.

Pre-calculus is a transition class from introductions in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry into an introductory understanding of calculus. Most pre-calculus classes spend large amounts of time covering topics required to "do the work" in calculus.

LCKurtz's answer still applies.
 
Back
Top