What kind of math is needed to understand relativity

[bennington]

Main Question or Discussion Point

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.

 

[pam]

Much of special relativity requires only algebra. Matrices would help.
General relativity requires everything, which is why Einstein needed math helpers.

 

[mathman]

For general relativity you need calculus and differential geometry.

 

[lbrits]

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