What's a quick way to brush up on math and physics?

[Bigheadrhino]

Math and physics were my favorite subjects in high school, and I did quite well, getting 5 on both my Calculus and Physics AP exams. But that was over ten years ago.. any quick way to brush up? Any good free online programs or games?

Thanks!

 

[CatWhisperer]

www.khanacademy.org

I'm in basically the same boat as you mate.

 

[berkeman]

Math and physics were my favorite subjects in high school, and I did quite well, getting 5 on both my Calculus and Physics AP exams. But that was over ten years ago.. any quick way to brush up? Any good free online programs or games?

Thanks!

Not free, but inexpensive (especially used or checked out of your library) -- the "Forgotten XXXX" series of books:

http://search.store.yahoo.net/barronseduc/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=barronseduc&query=forgotten

.

 

[bcrowell]

Khan Academy is lame. It's extremely superficial.

 

[micromass]

Khan Academy is lame. It's extremely superficial.

I agree. While Khan academy can be excellent as an extra source of information, it should never be used as a primary source.

I'm afraid you will have to get a textbook and work through it. I like "Basic Mathematics" by Serge Lang and it's an excellent textbook to refresh your knowledge.

 

[CatWhisperer]

I agree Khan Academy isn't any good if you want to learn something new, but it's been great in terms of easy access to practice problems and reviewing stuff I haven't touched in ten years. And now that I've used it to brush up, I find it easier to understand the textbooks.

 

[CatWhisperer]

Also it doesn't cost $100 (New Zealand Dollars) second hand like Serge Lang's book :-\ although I'd love to get my hands on a copy.

 

[Bigheadrhino]

Thanks for all the advice. Forgotten Algebra and Forgotten Calculus just arrived today. Looks promising. What kind of Graphing Calculator should I get?

 

[Jorriss]

Thanks for all the advice. Forgotten Algebra and Forgotten Calculus just arrived today. Looks promising. What kind of Graphing Calculator should I get?

If you have consistent access to a computer, you probably don't need one.

Check out http://www.wolframalpha.com/ !

 

[Bigheadrhino]

Thanks, I would like the option of doing these problem sets away from the computer as well though. I want to pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree so... TI-89?

 

[dave aioli]

Thanks, I would like the option of doing these problem sets away from the computer as well though. I want to pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree so... TI-89?

That really depends on the calculator policy of the school you enroll in. I know many won't let you use the TI-89. TI-83/84 is usually all they allow. I have both. If you get the TI-89 for brush-up and review, be aware that menus, input, and operations are different enough that the TI-83/84 can be unfamiliar.