What kind of higher math do I need?

1. May 19, 2013

falcon32

What kind of higher mathematics do I need to take in order to understand things like the volume of a sphere changing periodically with time? I know the generalized equation for a sphere is x2+y2+z2=r2, but how would time become involved?

Thanks!

2. May 19, 2013

Mandelbroth

You'd be surprised how much you can do with just basic calculus.

For a sphere in three dimensional space of radius $r$, the volume $V$ is given by $V=\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3$. To find the change in volume over time, I would say that we have to solve the differential equation $\frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{d}{dr}\left[\frac{4}{3}\pi r^3\right]\frac{dr}{dt}=4\pi r^2 \frac{dr}{dt}$.

3. May 19, 2013

LCKurtz

You would just need calculus. An example of volume changing with time would be an inflating balloon.

4. May 19, 2013

falcon32

hmm ok thanks. what about bessel functions, calc also?

5. May 19, 2013

LCKurtz

Calculus is the basis of all analysis. You normally wouldn't encounter Bessel functions until you take a differential equations, partial differential equations, or an engineering math course, all of which require calculus as a prerequisite.

6. May 20, 2013

falcon32

Time to brush up on some math and get another math course methinks :D