What is the minimum mathematic requirement for learning Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics?

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The discussion focuses on the mathematical prerequisites for understanding Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Participants suggest that a solid foundation in calculus, particularly Calculus 3, differential equations, and mathematical methods in physics is essential. Some emphasize that knowledge of calculus of variations can significantly enhance comprehension, particularly for more rigorous presentations of the material. Additionally, for graduate-level courses, familiarity with tensor calculus and differential geometry may be advantageous, as these concepts can help clarify complex topics in analytical mechanics. Overall, the level of mathematical preparation can vary based on the instructor's approach and the depth of the course material.
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What is the minimum mathematic requirement to the Lagrangian and hamiltonian mechanics?
Maybe calc 3 and linear algebra?
 
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It depends on the teacher and how it is presented. When I learned it, all I had was Calc 3, diff eq, and Math Methods in Physics. A much more rigorous and fulfilling presentation is possible if one has had more instruction in Calculus of Variations than those courses often cover.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculus_of_variations
 
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For a grad course a little bit of tensor calculus/differential geometry might be beneficial. I started going through a grad book on analytical mechanics without those concepts and it was quite challenging to understand some topics.
 

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