TheShapeOfTime said:I'm having trouble understanding the calculus in the Feynmen Lectures (I'm only in grade 11). Do you think it's better for me to learn some calculus before continueing or just to try and get the general ideas and save details for later?
Math plays a crucial role in the Feynman Lectures as it is used to describe and explain many fundamental concepts in physics. Feynman himself believed that a deep understanding of mathematical concepts is essential for understanding the laws of nature.
The Feynman Lectures cover a wide range of mathematical topics, from basic algebra and geometry to more advanced concepts such as calculus and linear algebra. However, a strong foundation in basic math and a willingness to learn is all that is needed to understand the lectures.
While the lectures do require a basic understanding of math, they are written in a way that is accessible to non-mathematicians. Feynman uses real-life examples and analogies to explain complex concepts, making the lectures engaging and easy to follow for anyone interested in learning about physics.
The Feynman Lectures are primarily focused on teaching physics, but they do cover many mathematical concepts in detail. While they may not be a comprehensive resource for learning math, they can be a useful supplement to other resources for those interested in learning both physics and math simultaneously.
The math concepts taught in the Feynman Lectures are used to model and understand the physical world, so they have numerous real-life applications. For example, the principles of calculus are used in engineering and economics, while linear algebra is used in computer graphics and machine learning. The lectures also provide many examples of how these concepts are applied in various fields of science and technology.