Importance of Pure Math Skills in Astrophysics?

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Pure math skills are important in astrophysics, but the focus is often on practical applications rather than theoretical concepts for their own sake. Astrophysicists and astronomers typically learn the necessary math to solve real-world problems, emphasizing the physical significance of mathematical concepts. While a strong foundation in math is beneficial, the emphasis is on applying math to understand and solve astrophysical challenges rather than purely engaging with theoretical mathematics.
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Hello everyone! I just registered on this forum!
I've been interested in astronomy and cosmology for quite a few years now, and I'm thinking of doing astrophysics. The only problem is: I'm not good at pure math. As long as I see the practical use of math, I'm quite good, but as soon as it becomes too theoretical, where I don't know how it could be of any use in practical work, I lose interest. Now my question is: are pure math skills (i.e. theorethical math) in astrophysics important? thank you!
 
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Even in theoretical fields of astrophysics the math you do will have physical significance. Physicists and astronomers tend to learn the math you need to solve problems, not math for the sake of math. I'm good at math, certainly, but I wouldn't have been a math major. I'm not that interested in it for it's own sake.
 
Hi all, Hope you are doing well. I'm a current grad student in applied geophysics and will finish my PhD in about 2 years (previously did a HBSc in Physics, did research in exp. quantum optics). I chose my current field because of its practicality and its clear connection to industry, not out of passion (a clear mistake). I notice that a lot of people (colleagues) switch to different subfields of physics once they graduate and enter post docs. But 95% of these cases fall into either of...

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