How important is trigonometry for physics?

[Will_O]

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Is there more trigonemtry or college algebra in general physics?

 

[MadHopsMD]

Is there more trigonemtry or college algebra in general physics?

these things are like learning how to ride a bicycle. you dont forget. quickly jog your memory...good sources are those chapters behind the kaplan or TPR books...

 

[Will_O]

Well I was wondering if I should retake pre-cal to relearn the trig that I forgot to be better prepared for the physics course I will be taking next fall. I know college algebra well but not trig. So what do you guys think, is trig really important to the point were if I am weak in this subject, it will hinder my performance in general physics?

 

[UMP]

Well I was wondering if I should retake pre-cal to relearn the trig that I forgot to be better prepared for the physics course I will be taking next fall. I know college algebra well but not trig. So what do you guys think, is trig really important to the point were if I am weak in this subject, it will hinder my performance in general physics?

well... the trig is pretty basic... and you'll probably relearn it very easily in the first few weeks of the physics course

 

[Tired]

Is there more trigonemtry or college algebra in general physics?

Um, do you mean high school physics or college? Because my college courses were all calculus-based.

 

[punkindrublic]

Trig is big in mechanics, and really solid algebra skills will help you throughout. No one can tell you whether or not you should take a math class. I did. It had been a number of years since I had taken math, and it had always been my achilles heel. When I decided to do a post-bacc, I was going to have to wait until the next fall, so I basically had an open semester and took a precalc course. I found it extremely helpful, as I had just gone over all the math stuff in excruciating detail, so I could focus on the concepts and not deal with any kind of math refresher.

The way I look at it: precalc isn't a terribly difficult course, you've got a free semester, and it certainly won't hurt your prospects in physics to take it.