• Question: Hey scientists! I have a funny question, I don't really understand why I'm good at physics but not at maths, are they not supposed to be linked? In fact, I don't just fail at maths, I also detest it too.. but I love physics? Is that weird?

    Asked by fchowders to Arttu, Ceri, James_M, Monica, Philip on 16 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Philip Dolan

      Philip Dolan answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      I guess so. If you study physics at uni, you’re gonna have to do a whole lot more maths. And at the very cutting edge, there is little difference between maths research and physics research. Saying that, except for tutorials I haven’t had to solve a single differential equation in my DPhil, so provided you get through your undergrad, I’m sure you could have a great time doing physics with limited amounts of maths.

    • Photo: Ceri Brenner

      Ceri Brenner answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hi,

      What stage of school are you at? Are you at GCSE? Because if you are, then i went through the exact same thing. I wasn’t bad at maths at GCSE but I didn’t really enjoy it, BUT i loved physics just like you. One of my teachers had to convince me to do maths at a-level even, but I’m so glad he did because it all clicked at a-level. The overlap between maths and physics at a-level starts to become much clearer, especially if you get to do the maths mechanics papers, trust me!! And then I started doing soooo much better at maths and actually really enjoyed the a-level, so much so that i chose to do the further maths as-level in year 13! i’ve always thought that the link between GCSE maths and physics should be made much clearer for this very reason.

    • Photo: Arttu Rajantie

      Arttu Rajantie answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      I think it is a bit unusual. Maths is the language in which we do physics, so you need to learn it even if you don’t enjoy it. From what Ceri write it sounds like you might well learn to like it later on, but in the mean time grit your teeth and keep working on it.

    • Photo: James M Monk

      James M Monk answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Have you thought what it is that you love about physics? Maybe the reason you detest maths is you haven’t been shown how it relates to the real world. Maths is a good way of understanding the world, but it isn’t always taught like that.

Comments

  • Photo: fchowders

    fchowders commented on :

    Thanks guys, yeah I’m starting GCSE’s next year. Well, I’ll definitely take that all on board- looks like there is a very strong link betwen Maths and Physics. Oh and thanks for that Ceri, maybe the same will happen for me? Hopefully!