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It’s on my bucket list to read through these lectures and grok them. Maybe it will be a retirement project? While we are talking about this, I feel like I need

by idoh 5y ago

It’s on my bucket list to read through these lectures and grok them. Maybe it will be a retirement project? While we are talking about this, I feel like I need to brush up on my math. Does anyone know what level of math is required to work through these?

slowhand09 5y ago
Looking at the slides, pretty sure I'd need a semester or two, part refresher, part growth.
hither_shores 5y ago
Linear algebra and multivariable calculus
joshvm 5y ago
In theory high school algebra should be enough if you go through in order. Feynman introduces calculus in the chapter on motion (from first principles) and on it goes from there. The challenge is it's assumed that you're now familiar with these introduced concepts, and Feynman is very good at tricking you into thinking you understand what's going on. A sibling comment mentions linear algebra. Vectors are introduced early on, and the chapter on tensor introduces matrices (eg second rank tensors). Multi variable calculus? I can't find where partial derivatives enter, but there's a chapter on vector calculus (to get ready for Maxwell). Really, it's all in there with no prior knowledge needed. It's certainly a lot easier if you've seen the material before and read FLP as a second perspective. Hence why so many of the attendees were grad students and faculty. What it lacks as a teaching aide is the mind numbing exercises that all physics students do in their first year to practice using the mathematics. There's a reason the "University physics" books are doorstops.
- idoh 5y ago
  What’s FLP?
  - mwcremer 5y ago
    Feynman Lectures on Physics, I assume.
- wyclif 5y ago
  I'm wondering what the science experts on this forum think would make a high-quality preparation for homeschoolers and what curriculum they would endorse. Like, say, from elementary school age to high school graduation that would prepare them well for the material of FLP. Would that include books like Griffiths' Introduction to Electrodynamics and Purcell & Morin's Electricity and Magnetism? Also interested in what people would use for Biology.

by idoh 5y ago

slowhand09 5y ago

Looking at the slides, pretty sure I'd need a semester or two, part refresher, part growth.

hither_shores 5y ago

Linear algebra and multivariable calculus

joshvm 5y ago

In theory high school algebra should be enough if you go through in order. Feynman introduces calculus in the chapter on motion (from first principles) and on it goes from there. The challenge is it's assumed that you're now familiar with these introduced concepts, and Feynman is very good at tricking you into thinking you understand what's going on. A sibling comment mentions linear algebra. Vectors are introduced early on, and the chapter on tensor introduces matrices (eg second rank tensors). Multi variable calculus? I can't find where partial derivatives enter, but there's a chapter on vector calculus (to get ready for Maxwell). Really, it's all in there with no prior knowledge needed. It's certainly a lot easier if you've seen the material before and read FLP as a second perspective. Hence why so many of the attendees were grad students and faculty. What it lacks as a teaching aide is the mind numbing exercises that all physics students do in their first year to practice using the mathematics. There's a reason the "University physics" books are doorstops.

idoh 5y ago
What’s FLP?
- mwcremer 5y ago
  Feynman Lectures on Physics, I assume.
wyclif 5y ago
I'm wondering what the science experts on this forum think would make a high-quality preparation for homeschoolers and what curriculum they would endorse. Like, say, from elementary school age to high school graduation that would prepare them well for the material of FLP. Would that include books like Griffiths' Introduction to Electrodynamics and Purcell & Morin's Electricity and Magnetism? Also interested in what people would use for Biology.