Expert: Daniel Mazur - 11/14/2006

Question
For years I have been heavily interested in physics. The problem is, I do not understand the way my teachers present math. And without math, as you know, I cannot be a physicist. For example:I need to be shown why an equation equals a certain answer. I want to understand the steps involved and why the quadratic formula is set up the way it is. Why does a+b=c?How can an equation be used in real life?

Would you please show me a website or a book I could purchase that show mathematical applications.

Thank you!

Answer
Hello Robert,

it's pleasing to hear of your interest in Physics. However, I feel that what you are asking for is college-level explanations of maths and physics. I am not sure though what you meant by quadratic formula being set up a certain way. can you be more specific?

If your concern lies in wondering how you get ax^2+bx+c from (x-x1)*(x-x2), the maths behind is really basic, so I doubt you had a problem with that. If you ask about things like the Pythagorean theorem c^2 = a^2 + b^2, more or less neat proofs exist to show, why this is true in Euclidean geometry. Every little rule that we learn at high school's math is not a separate rule, but can be derived from the principles, axioms underlying the whole mathematics.

Maybe, a resource like Wikipedia.org would serve you well on some of the individual questions you have. To recommend a book I would really need to know, what grade you are and a bit more of what you expect to find in the resource you want me to recommend you. I will gladly extend my answer then.
Take care, may I hear from you soon.
Daniel