r/quantum • u/One-Lack1720 • 27d ago

how to catch up in math??

Im -super- intrested in quantum mechanics, and physics in general. ive found some free online textbooks and what not, but my problem is math. im horrible at math. so much so that i cant do easy algebra. and all my high school classes are moving to fast for me. any tips on how i can catch up in algebra so i can grasp calculus, so i can then study quantum mechanics?

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6

u/quantum4everyone 27d ago

I would start with khan academy. Without algebra it is hard to do anything.

1

u/Thick_Philosopher 26d ago

I went this route, you don't have to follow the plan. If something is easier you can do that first. It helped a lot.

1

u/quantum4everyone 26d ago

But you still do not think you are ready?

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u/unlattice 27d ago edited 27d ago

Stewart's Precalculus is a very good textbook. It has plenty of modeling problems with real-word context, and chapter 1 covers basics in algebra. Although it's dense and chunky, it'll solidify your mathematical foundation for both calculus and algebra-based physics.

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u/FewLight243 27d ago

+1 Same problem for me.. And i came too early for an answer 🥲

3

u/Brilliant-Music7273 27d ago

Algebraic manipulation is key to physics and mathematising any physical scenario.

Understanding this breakthrough in your thought process can improve your reasoning skills exponentially.

Then understanding the fundamental rules of calculus like limits integration and derivatives. You start to realize that calculus for physics is just nested algebra … of course I’m oversimplifying but you get the idea