Revisiting Mathematical Concepts in Physics: Is It Worth the Frustration?

[paulo84]

can i just say, this is exactly what i was looking for when i meant learning by posting in the forums and getting replies!

 

[Mark44]

ok, i appreciate the point about imaginary numbers relative to square roots. a rational number can be expressed on a numberline, an irrational number cannot.

Both rational and irrational numbers are on the real number line.

i can't remember if a rational number can always be expressed as a fraction?

Bingo. That's how rational numbers are defined, as the quotient of two integers.

i can't remember if square root of 2 is irrational or not.

It's irrational.

 

[PetSounds]

ok, i appreciate the point about imaginary numbers relative to square roots. a rational number can be expressed on a numberline, an irrational number cannot. i can't remember if a rational number can always be expressed as a fraction? e.g. i can't remember if square root of 2 is irrational or not.

1. You can represent irrational numbers on a number line.
2. A rational number is defined as a number that can be expressed as a fraction (ratio) of two integers.

EDIT: Redundant information given the above post.

 

[Mark44]

yes i know. it's just not so 'natural' after over 15 years out of maths.

Which is why you should put in some time reviewing algebra and trig before starting in on calculus and physics.

can i just say, this is exactly what i was looking for when i meant learning by posting in the forums and getting replies!

All we have done is attempt to correct a few of your deep misconceptions. This is really a terrible way to learn.

 

[paulo84]

OK. So if you knew "a", the area of a circle minus the area of a square, and both the sides to that square and the radius of that circle were "r", then you could calculate pi with the equation you deduced.

i got the area of a circle mixed up with the area of a circle minus the area of a square in my head. i am very, very rusty.

 

[paulo84]

Which is why you should put in some time reviewing algebra and trig before starting in on calculus and physics.

All we have done is attempt to correct a few of your deep misconceptions. This is really a terrible way to learn.

i have found the most effective way for me to learn is by having a conversation with my teachers.

 

[Mark44]

i have found the most effective way for me to learn is by having a conversation with my teachers.

Speaking as someone who has taught college math for 20+ years, these "conversations" are far from effective in the use of the teachers' time, especially as you seem reluctant to do due diligence prior to the Q & A session.

 

[paulo84]

are there situations in physics which use $i$ to represent one side of a square?

 

[russ_watters]

Speaking as someone who has taught college math for 20+ years, these "conversations" are far from effective in the use of the teachers' time, especially as you seem reluctant to do due diligence prior to the Q & A session.

This is at least as big of an issue. @paulo84 you have to understand that we want our and our members' time to be productive too. You might be happy with the results (even though the rest of us agree these do not represent significant progress), but we're not paid personal tutors and even if we were, we'd set the curriculum and method, not you. So if you insist on this path, I'm afraid it's going to keep being problematic to us.

 

[paulo84]

I will try to adjust the frequency of my questions such that I'm asking less often, and do more reading.

 

[Jayalk97]

I will try to adjust the frequency of my questions such that I'm asking less often, and do more reading.

You really need to get textbooks, read through them, answer atleast a few questions related to every topic, and use forums only when you come across something you do not understand. It will take months and months but that's the only way you're going to learn anything of use. Don't be a pseudointellectual. Once you get through algebra and precalc you could just go off of some college's degree program and work your way through the class list.

 

[Mark44]

are there situations in physics which use $i$ to represent one side of a square?

I don't believe so. $i$ is the so-called "imaginary number," but it plays a significant role in electricity and electronics, particularly in AC circuits, and elsewhere in physics.

 

[paulo84]

As a final note, I have enjoyed doing some of the (admittedly very basic) algebra in this thread, which makes me somewhat optimistic I can stick to reading maths, given that I do take pleasure in it.

 

[lekh2003]

As a final note, I have enjoyed doing some of the (admittedly very basic) algebra in this thread, which makes me somewhat optimistic I can stick to reading maths, given that I do take pleasure in it.

If I can give you one last tip, stop trying to find an ulterior meaning in everything you are learning. Slow down and stop jumping to conclusions. It seems like you are on a wild goose chase. Just learn, don't ask. When you are done learning everything relevant, then you may ask.

 

[Jayalk97]

Honestly if you can't handle the criticism you've been given you wouldn't be able to handle the trials of learning anything. These people want to help you but you refuse it. You need to realize that becoming good at anything is hard, be it STEM, music, writing, or art. Anything worth pursuing is going to be difficult, and most if not all require some structured path of formal education.

 

[Jayalk97]

Honestly if you can't handle the criticism you've been given you wouldn't be able to handle the trials of learning anything. These people want to help you but you refuse it. You need to realize that becoming good at anything is hard, be it STEM, music, writing, or art. Anything worth pursuing is going to be difficult, and most if not all require some structured path of formal education.

And while I'm on my mini tirade I want to add that trying to find shortcuts around learning math is an insult to the rest of us who spent countless sleepless nights studying hours of material, hundreds of cups of coffee, literal tears to get through out education.

 

[DrClaude]

The OP is no longer with us. Time to close.