Fields of Math

[Superman]

I have another math question. i was wondering if other fields of mathematics are used in physics besides calculus. I know geometry is used in physics but i dont know how much algebra is used in it. i was wondering if it would be useful to learn all types of math besides only calculus such as algebra and geometry and if it would be worth the effort in order to understand physics and higher mathematics in general.

i didnt know exactly where to put this so i just put in the algebra section.

[JaKiri]

Algebra's obviously used, it's the language.

Calculus is used most, as it's the most useful.

But quite a few obscure areas are used in physics.

[Tom Mattson]

I don't know of any branches of mathematics that aren't used in physics!

Here's a brief (and incomplete) rundown of what you need to know for the various subjects in physics:

Classical Mechanics
calculus, vector arithmetic, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, calculus of variations

Classical Electrodynamics
calculus, vector calculus, some tensor calculus, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations

Relativity
linear algebra, tensor calculus, some group theory

Quantum Mechanics
calculus, linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, group theory, some operator theory

Thermodynamics
calculus, ordinary differential equations (with Legendre transformations)

It gets even more complicated with Quantum Field Theory, SUSY, String Theory, and Loop Quantum Gravity.

[Superman]

i didnt word my question very well because i was wondering if i should learn more advanced algebra and more advanced geometry instead of focusing on calculus only. i know algebra is used but i was wondering to what level. calculus seems to be the most important but i was wondering if it would be worthwhile to learn other areas of mathematics at a higher level instead of focusing on calculus only to understand physics.

[Giles]

First, learn everything in here (http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/bobuk/scripts/display_product_info.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@08639583 54.1055511337@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccchadciihkjgfgcefeceegdfigdffo.0&productid=0521890675).

[JaKiri]

Originally posted by Superman
i didnt word my question very well because i was wondering if i should learn more advanced algebra and more advanced geometry instead of focusing on calculus only. i know algebra is used but i was wondering to what level. calculus seems to be the most important but i was wondering if it would be worthwhile to learn other areas of mathematics at a higher level instead of focusing on calculus only to understand physics.

What do you mean, what level of algebra?

It's a language you have to be fluent in.

[Giles]

Calculus is used in everything, not just physics.

[JaKiri]

Originally posted by Giles
Calculus is used in everything, not just physics.

English Literature

[dave]

Originally posted by MrL_JaKiri


English Literature

debatable

;)

[JaKiri]

Originally posted by dave


debatable

;)

Opinion more like :p