Ok, I have to be honest this entire idea makes me cringe, it seems a bit to much like a cheap get out of learning the math idea. Maybe I am biased because I actually am a mathematician but these kind of ideas I think are dangerous since you take away an important bar of admission to fields like physics. If you don’t understand why the math is an important bar of admission look at the google groups physics group.
To be honest I think someone would be better off spending their time learning calculus at minimum then trying to read this kind of general overview. I think what is likely to happen is that either the math will be to simple and muddles the field to the point of being useless or its so complex that nobody can follow it. A good case and point you can understand quantum physics if you understand algebra but your going to be hopeless in a discussion about it without understanding things like the differential equations. Of course there are other fields which you have to know the math, from some of my own experience, fluid mechanics.
For my own part I think required math should include at minimum:
Advanced Calculus (not that “calculus class” you took in high school it doesn’t count)
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
Abstract Algebra
Set Theory
(basic at least) Number Theory
I think with these you probably can figure a lot of the more complex math out.
I am sure I am leaving a couple out but you get the idea.
While I also don’t see the point in the enterprise, and think many of the specific suggestions misguided, you misinterpret its intent. Read the original post for an explanation. The point isn’t to learn math “in a simple form”, but to explain some of the most important facts about the world with at least a bit of mathematical rigor and expressive power.
Oh I get it. I would make the same point either way especially when the idea comes from a non math person. Whenever a non math person says this kind of thing it should make anyone who has done their due diligence cringe.
If you can’t do the math so for the physics if partial differential equations are beyond you then you shouldn’t be talking about physics. There are many fields where knowing the “drop-dead” math is not sufficient to qualify one to talk about it.
Now I know you will all vote me down, I am rocking the boat.
Do you expect a person to end up worth off as a result of learning about some subject to less than certain level of detail? If it’s better to learn a little than not at all, it’s probably better to learn a few facts written in math than no facts written in math at all. It seems that you have to agree with one or the other.
Ok, I have to be honest this entire idea makes me cringe, it seems a bit to much like a cheap get out of learning the math idea. Maybe I am biased because I actually am a mathematician but these kind of ideas I think are dangerous since you take away an important bar of admission to fields like physics. If you don’t understand why the math is an important bar of admission look at the google groups physics group.
To be honest I think someone would be better off spending their time learning calculus at minimum then trying to read this kind of general overview. I think what is likely to happen is that either the math will be to simple and muddles the field to the point of being useless or its so complex that nobody can follow it. A good case and point you can understand quantum physics if you understand algebra but your going to be hopeless in a discussion about it without understanding things like the differential equations. Of course there are other fields which you have to know the math, from some of my own experience, fluid mechanics.
For my own part I think required math should include at minimum: Advanced Calculus (not that “calculus class” you took in high school it doesn’t count) Differential Equations Linear Algebra Abstract Algebra Set Theory (basic at least) Number Theory
I think with these you probably can figure a lot of the more complex math out.
I am sure I am leaving a couple out but you get the idea.
While I also don’t see the point in the enterprise, and think many of the specific suggestions misguided, you misinterpret its intent. Read the original post for an explanation. The point isn’t to learn math “in a simple form”, but to explain some of the most important facts about the world with at least a bit of mathematical rigor and expressive power.
Oh I get it. I would make the same point either way especially when the idea comes from a non math person. Whenever a non math person says this kind of thing it should make anyone who has done their due diligence cringe.
If you can’t do the math so for the physics if partial differential equations are beyond you then you shouldn’t be talking about physics. There are many fields where knowing the “drop-dead” math is not sufficient to qualify one to talk about it.
Now I know you will all vote me down, I am rocking the boat.
Do you expect a person to end up worth off as a result of learning about some subject to less than certain level of detail? If it’s better to learn a little than not at all, it’s probably better to learn a few facts written in math than no facts written in math at all. It seems that you have to agree with one or the other.