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What kind of math is needed to understand relativity

  1. Jun 6, 2008 #1

    bennington

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    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.
     
    bennington, Jun 6, 2008
  2. jcsd
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  3. Jun 6, 2008 #2

    pam

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    Much of special relativity requires only algebra. Matrices would help.
    General relativity requires everything, which is why Einstein needed math helpers.
     
    pam, Jun 6, 2008
  4. Jun 6, 2008 #3

    mathman

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    Science Advisor

    For general relativity you need calculus and differential geometry.
     
    mathman, Jun 6, 2008
  5. Jun 6, 2008 #4

    lbrits

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    Not technically math, but classical mechanics at the level of variational principle would be helpful.
     
    lbrits, Jun 6, 2008
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