[sdiy] SDIY MATH GOALS--need real help!

[David G. Dixon]

Dan,

If it's got "d something" over "d something" in it, its differential
calculus (the d's on top and the somethings on the bottom can also have
exponents).  If it has a big S-shaped thingy to the left of everything
(often with little numbers or symbols above and below it), with a "d
something" at the far right, its integral calculus.  If its got "e" or "exp"
or "ln" or "log", then its an exponential or logarithmic function.  If it's
got "sin" or "cos" or "tan" or "cot" or "sec" or "csc", with or without an
"arc" in front or an "h" behind, then its trigonometry.  If everything is a
function of "s" then it's a Laplace transform.  Alternatively, if everything
is a function of "jw" (where the "w" is really an undercase omega), then
it's a Fourier transform, which is really a Laplace transform where s = jw.
If it's got lots of "j"s all over the place, then its complex math.
Otherwise, it's just algebra!  (See how easy it all is?!?  ;->)

David G. Dixon
Professor
Department of Materials Engineering
University of British Columbia
309-6350 Stores Road
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4
Canada
 
Tel 1-604-822-3679
Fax 1-604-822-3619
 
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dan Snazelle [mailto:subjectivity at hotmail.com]
> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2009 3:49 AM
> To: dixon at interchange.ubc.ca; sdiy
> Subject: RE: [sdiy] SDIY MATH GOALS--need real help!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > My advice to Dan and others would be not to set out to "learn math", but
> > only electronics.  When something mathematical arises that you don't
> > understand, then learn the specific bit of math required to get over the
> > hump -- read a wiki, ask a friend, crack a textbook, whatever -- but
> always
> > only in the service of electronics.  This way, the math will slip in by
> > osmosis.
> 
> 
> one question i have about this good advice is how to TELL what i AM
> LOOKING AT. (so i can understand a specific bit)
> 
> for example I just got the book on non linear electronics from analog
> devices. It seems full of  great stuff BUT is full of equations.
> however how can i tell just from looking at some weird equation what i
> will need to learn to understand it
> ? it's not as if they say "this is from algebra 2 or this is from calc"
> 
> so  that right there makes the piecemeal approach hard at times.
> 
> 
> thanks