Teach Physics to GED Holder with No Math Background

[mrnike992]

Background: I've got a friend who is interested in physics. He is 20 years old, has no high school or college experience (has a GED though), and is considering pursuing a degree in physics. Currently he's working blue collar jobs, but would like to go to college someday. His math background is very weak, as is pretty much everything else.

I understand that if he is seriously pursuing a college education, getting him up to speed in math is the first step. However, in the meantime, he is just wanting to learn as much about physics as he can. Are there any good resources that he might benefit from? He's really aiming for an informal, not too structured study of physics. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[RooksAndBooks]

Ask him if he can download a free physics book here. It is probably not the textbook you want for college, but it does give you a bunch of physics knowledge.

 

[girlinphysics]

Background: I've got a friend who is interested in physics. He is 20 years old, has no high school or college experience (has a GED though), and is considering pursuing a degree in physics. Currently he's working blue collar jobs, but would like to go to college someday. His math background is very weak, as is pretty much everything else.

I understand that if he is seriously pursuing a college education, getting him up to speed in math is the first step. However, in the meantime, he is just wanting to learn as much about physics as he can. Are there any good resources that he might benefit from? He's really aiming for an informal, not too structured study of physics. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Khan Academy is a good place to start for really beginner level physics.

 

[PhotonSSBM]

I had nothing but a GED starting out and now I'm at a good 4-year school for physics. I placed into pre calculus at a local Community College and built myself up from that. Tell your friend that he should study some mathematics on his own and apply to a community college as soon as he feels ready to move on to college. I was 24 when I started. Just make sure he knows he'll have to work more at school than making money for a long time and won't be able to settle down for that time as well if he wants a degree. He also shouldn't feel bad about placing low in mathematics courses at his CC. Plenty do but still make it work. By placing I don't mean grades, but the placement testing that everyone takes when they start at a CC.