What kind of math is needed to understand relativity

  • Thread starter Thread starter bennington
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Relativity
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Understanding relativity requires a solid foundation in various mathematical concepts. Special relativity primarily utilizes algebra, while general relativity demands knowledge of calculus and differential geometry. Additionally, familiarity with matrices is beneficial for both theories. Classical mechanics, particularly the variational principle, also plays a crucial role in grasping the complexities of general relativity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Algebra for special relativity
  • Calculus for general relativity
  • Differential geometry for advanced understanding of general relativity
  • Classical mechanics, particularly the variational principle
NEXT STEPS
  • Study calculus, focusing on integration and differentiation techniques
  • Explore differential geometry and its applications in physics
  • Learn about matrices and their role in special relativity
  • Investigate classical mechanics with an emphasis on the variational principle
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, mathematicians, and anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of relativity will benefit from this discussion.

bennington
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
Do I need to know calculus? Or do I need to know differential equations? Do both of the theories even use the same mathematics? I really want to know more about relativity, and learning about the math behind it would be helpful.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Much of special relativity requires only algebra. Matrices would help.
General relativity requires everything, which is why Einstein needed math helpers.
 
For general relativity you need calculus and differential geometry.
 
Not technically math, but classical mechanics at the level of variational principle would be helpful.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Special Relativity: an ideal experiment
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
High School General Relativity and Universal Gravitational Constant
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
2K
Undergrad Co- and Contravariance
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Graduate Alternative theories to General Relativity
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Undergrad Special Relativity: Grokking for a Female Neurobiologist in her 60s
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad The wave equation interpretation of special relativity
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
830
Undergrad Symmetry of motion in the special theory of relativity
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
Undergrad Does string theory falsify the theory of special relativity?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Undergrad Scope of General Relativity: Assumptions & Implications
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
Undergrad Math of Relativity: Topology Needed?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K