Physics career?

Question

I am thinking of applying for a Physics class as I find some of the things people have told me about physics to be really interesting. The problem is that I'm not very good at mental arithmetic and math was not my strongest subject. How important is mental arithmetic and maths ability when studying physics?

Answer 1

Mental arithmetic is not important. That's just a matter of very short term memory and numbers juggling. I have a PhD in physics and I'd be pressed to do 9 times 12 in my head. Symbolic math is very important, however. It's possible that it was not your strongest subject because you were not motivated and interest enough to learn it before you became interested in physics, so give it another shot.

Answer 2

well physics is sort of divided into 2 parts ideas and calulations the ideas bit doesn't matter at all your arithmetic or maths skills really just a broad thinker. The calculations are usually given as a formula and you just have to know what everything means cause you get aq calcultor anyway>> i would say if you can do basic arithmetic and basic formula rearranging you'll be fine and i do think it is a very interesting subject.

Answer 3

Better brush up on your math skills. I've had more than one math professor that started out as physics majors, only to switch over to math because that was all that physics was to them.

If you can't flip around constants and variables in your head, then don't bother with physics.

Answer 4

Math and aritmetic is the building block of physics. If you want to take physics, you should have a very good math ability because everything is equations and such. Try biology if you arent good at math.