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

[David G. Dixon]

Most introductory electronics books have chapters on the math specific to
the subject matter.  For example, I'm looking at "Basic Electronics" (6th
ed.) by Bernard Grob, and Chapter 25 is devoted to complex arithmetic and
algebra, phasors, and how to apply all this stuff to AC circuits, with
dozens of examples worked step-by-step.  There are also chapters on
Kirchhoff's laws and network analysis, both of which are excellent for
exercising ones algebra skills.  Short of transfer function analysis using
transforms (which, despite all the handwaving, is really just more algebra),
this is probably all you need really need the algebra for in electronics, so
why not just learn the algebra by doing the electronics?

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: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl [mailto:synth-diy-
> bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Sam Ecoff
> Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:35 AM
> To: sdiy DIY
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] SDIY MATH GOALS--need real help!
> 
> 
> On Feb 26, 2009, at 9:24 PM, Matthew Smith wrote:
> 
> > Quoth Dan Snazelle at 2009-02-27 12:30...
> >> i feel i have gotten about as far as i can in understanding many
> >> electronic books and topics in the last few years without knowing
> >> ANY math beyond basic pre-algebra. I never took anything past
> >> algebra one in high school and that was in 1992 and i dont remember
> >> any of it.
> >
> > Unfortunately to us this book, I require a much higher degree of
> > algebra than I am up to.  "Practical Algebra A Self-Teaching Guide"
> > by Selby and Slavin has been of no use to me whatsoever.  I consider
> > this title quite unsuitable for the mathematically-challenged.
> 
> Funny... I've been working through this exact book in the past few
> weeks, and I have to say that I find it to be marvelously helpful. I'd
> encourage you to read the reviews of the book on Amazon and see what
> you think. If you think it's worth half a chance, i'd say get it. It's
> not an expensive book at $15. (I think that's the price).
> 
> HTH
> 
> Sam E.
> 
> 
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