Math Help for Physics Undergrad: Advice Needed

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a physics undergraduate seeking advice on improving their mathematical skills, which they find challenging in relation to their physics studies. Participants are attempting to clarify the specific nature of the help needed and are engaging in light-hearted commentary regarding a potential typo in the original post.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests clarification on what specific help is needed regarding math.
  • Another participant humorously questions the phrase "give me tile," suggesting it could be a typo for "give me time."
  • A participant expresses the opinion that mathematics in physics serves as a different language compared to pure mathematics, emphasizing the importance of understanding the technical aspects relevant to physics.
  • Several participants engage in a light-hearted exchange about the meaning of "give me tile," with one noting a search result leading to a home improvement website.
  • A participant references a previous thread where the original poster was struggling with physics classes, prompting further questions about their academic status and math coursework.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the specific help needed, as the original poster has not clarified their request. Participants have differing interpretations of the phrase "give me tile," leading to a light-hearted debate rather than a resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the original poster's needs and the meaning of "give me tile," indicating a lack of clarity in the initial request for help.

astrofanatic
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TL;DR Summary: help with math for physics undergraduate degree - advice needed

Hello! I'm studying physics for my undergraduate degree. I have a question, and if anyone can help I'd truly appreciate it. I have problems with the math part. I love physics (concepts, research, findings) but i do definitely need help with the math part. I really want to graduate from this degree, so can someone please give me tile?
 
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It's not clear what's the nature of the help you are seeking. You should be more specific.
 
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astrofanatic said:
I really want to graduate from this degree, so can someone please give me tile?
What does "give me tile" mean?

Which mathematics courses have you taken and how well did you do in them (i.e., your grades)?
Are you currently a university student?
If so, what year are you in?
 
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Mark44 said:
What does "give me tile" mean?
I wondered about that too, so I did a Google search on give me tile but that basically got me to the Home Depot website. Sigh.

Then I tried slang: give me tile and let's just say that it returned something NSFPF... :wink:
 
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astrofanatic said:
TL;DR Summary: help with math for physics undergraduate degree - advice needed

Hello! I'm studying physics for my undergraduate degree. I have a question, and if anyone can help I'd truly appreciate it. I have problems with the math part. I love physics (concepts, research, findings) but i do definitely need help with the math part. I really want to graduate from this degree, so can someone please give me tile?
I think, i.e. it is my opinion, that mathematics in physics is a different language than mathematics in mathematics. It can help a lot if you consider this since learning a language is different from learning theorems. There are a lot of technical aspects in the mathematics of physics: coordinates, indexes, and bases (vectors) are everywhere and a lot of the mathematics around them are techniques to handle them: Einstein notation, tensor notation, raising and lowering indices, (partial) derivatives as basis vectors, adjoint, hermitian, unitary operators, matrices, and so on. As a physicist, you primarily learn the methods to deal with them. Of course, you need to know the differences between those and roughly what they are. But if a physicist says curvature, then he thinks of a tensor. However, a tensor for a mathematician is multilinear in the first place, and not at all anything curved!

So my advice is: consider the math you need for physics as a language that physicists use to communicate. Learn that language, not that math. It is a mathematical language so you cannot avoid all the mathematics behind it, but its usage differs in both fields.
 
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berkeman said:
I wondered about that too, so I did a Google search on give me tile but that basically got me to the Home Depot website. Sigh.

Then I tried slang: give me tile and let's just say that it returned something NSFPF... :wink:
I tried a Google search on give me tile and got the same results. I followed your suggested search and learned a few things. I must be slow this morning, I can't figure what NSFPF means, lol.
 
Not Safe For PF :wink:
 
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berkeman said:
Not Safe For PF :wink:
Similar to NSFW -- not safe for work
 
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@astrofanatic the last time you had posted was in the following thread:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...ing-to-graduate-on-time.1051710/#post-6875791

From the previous thread, it appears that you were struggling with one of your physics classes, which turns out to be a prerequisite for your other physics classes.

I have the following questions:

1. Are you a student in the US? If not, where are you studying?

2. How far along are you in your physics program?

3. What math classes have you taken thus far? What were your grades in those?

I would suggest you answer these questions to us before we are in the position to offer any constructive advice.
 
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Mark44 said:
What does "give me tile" mean?
I read it as a typo for "give me time". But we'll need the OP to confirm. Of course, the OP could be replacing flooring and needs donations. :oldbiggrin:
 
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