Good way to refresh and review math

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blankguy

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Any recommendations on how to go about reviewing math(precalc, geometry and trig namely). I've had math a while ago, this is to prep myself for physics(the non-calculus version).
 
you dont need to review math. Go get a physics book early ( I recomend Walker Physics) and start studying the chapters.
 
You mean the textbook my school uses?

I just emailed one of the professors(the guy who runs the physic lab portion) and told me what to review(trig, algebra, and geometry).
 
He's an idiot. Trust me that has aced both calculus based physics one and two. When you read ahead you are two steps ahead of the whole class
 
Flong,
I think you are going to far calling a professor an idiot(no matter how incompetent teacher he or she may be).
He did say that people who enjoyed physics the most were people who were not hung up in math concepts(had solid grounding in math) and concentrated in physic concepts.

Any special suggestions on how to handle physics (way to study physics).

Some people here say that noncalculus physics is harder than calculus physics.
 
Originally posted by blankguy
Flong,
I think you are going to far calling a professor an idiot(no matter how incompetent teacher he or she may be).
He did say that people who enjoyed physics the most were people who were not hung up in math concepts(had solid grounding in math) and concentrated in physic concepts.

Any special suggestions on how to handle physics (way to study physics).

Some people here say that noncalculus physics is harder than calculus physics.

First it is not harder than calc based physics because the calc based course deals with anti-derivitives and the sort. Secondly, you asked how you could do better in Physics and I told you how, start studying it. The trig is not very hard. Simple sin, cos, tan and their inverses is sufficient.
 
Okay, I'll take your word for it.

Thanks for the tip.

What does the first semester physics cover? Second semester physics?
 
Most first-semester physics cover classic Newtonian mechanics, second usually covers electromagnetism with introductory theoretical/nuclear/relativity thrown in at the end.
 
What's newtonian mechanics and electromagnetism?
 
Newtonian... That should be a clue right there. Remember the apple falling from the tree and bopping Sir Isaac on the head? 😀 (i.e. study of motion and forces).

Electromagnetism... Sheesh, does this one actually need explaining? :laugh:
 
Originally posted by UBTom
Newtonian... That should be a clue right there. Remember the apple falling from the tree and bopping Sir Isaac on the head? 😀 (i.e. study of motion and forces).

Electromagnetism... Sheesh, does this one actually need explaining? :laugh:

Oh, so newtonian is when you study how to hit UBTom with a baseball and Electromagnetism is when you walk into a kitchen with the mother of all magnets and all the kitchen knives hurl themselves at you?😱
 
Hmm.. A bitter Bostonian mentioning baseball.. Whasdamatta, can't get over the Curse of the Bambino? 😀

Seriously though, a reader cannot tell if you are earnest or just being facetiously rhetorical when you ask a question like "what is newtonian mechanics and electromagnetism?" Those are questions one expects from a child, not someone who is in or has completed college.

If your question is really in earnest, then I suggest you do a search on google on the terms-- You will turn up hundreds of "physics for beginners" websites which presents the basic overviews.

Best of luck.
 
The last time I had physics was in high school some ages ago.
I'm not quite in the science mode.

And don't liken me to a kid despite my string of silly post!
*whacks UBTom with a baseball bat*
 
Okay, I understand your situation. 😀

Well, here's a good overview of Newtonian mechanics: http://physics.webplasma.com/physicstoc.html

Here's another, with multimedia files too: http://www.kopernekus.com/physics/cm.asp

If you don't want to sweat the details and just want the definition, here it is: http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_mechanics

Here's the definition for EM: http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetism

Overview site with both Newtonian and EM stuff: http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/lesson/default.htm

HTH!
 
Thanks UBTom.
I'm a physics toddler.:scared:
 
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