Maths
Super, crazy, high-octante, MATHS
Maths allowing me to express my concepts on reality, otherworldly dimensions and black holes.
It’s a thing. A skill set I do not own. So, you may well ask- what maths are you in need of to hold the title, Theoretical Physicist?
There’s an online guide to the mathematics necessary in studying physics. I discovered it several months ago when pounding my head against a wall (figuratively) desiring a means to articulate my thoughts. It comes from Super String Theory and I clearly have a long way to go, but I am working on it!! 😉 Here’s the list to work through.
Algebra
Geometry
Trigonometry
Calculus (single variable)
Calculus (multivariable)
Analytic Geometry
Linear Algebra
Ordinary Differential Equations & the Harmonic Oscillator (I do these all the time while riding my bike)
Partial Differential Equations
Methods of approximation
Probability and statistics
That’s not all! Then we have to work out- Real analysis (versus false, I suppose), Complex analysis, Group theory, Differential geometry, Lie groups, Differential forms, Homology, Cohomology, Homotopy (donut holes anyone?), Fiber bundles (not the ones your cat plays with!), Character classes, Index theorems, Supersymmetry and supergravity!
The mathematics behind supersymmetry apparently starts with two concepts: graded Lie algebras, and Grassmann numbers. A graded algebra is one that uses both commutation and anti-commutation relations. Grassmann numbers are anti-commuting numbers, so that x times y = –y times x. The mathematical technology needed to work in supersymmetry includes an understanding of graded Lie algebras, spinors in arbitrary spacetime dimensions, covariant derivatives of spinors, torsion, Killing spinors, and Grassmann multiplication, derivation and integration, and Kähler potentials. (excerpt from Superstringtheory’s website)
Noncommutative geometry- ok admittedly I first read, non-communicative and thought, I can totally relate to that! HA!
Meanwhile, I’m cutting out some Erwin Schrödinger snowflakes! Thank you, Symmetry Magazine! 
Thanks for stopping by! Check out what other Blog-O-sphere peeps are looking to learn. 🙂
Andes Cruz: http://andescruz.wordpress.com
Kathleen Krucoff: http://kathleenkrucoff.wordpress.com/
Catherine Witherell: http://happydayart.typepad.com
Pallavi Gandhi: http://studioat605.wordpress.com/
wow!!! Maths! really!?! this is intense! All the best!
Seriously?! I took some of those classes in high school and college and they WERE fun but I never use that information at all. I wonder what you will do with it?
Catherine
DAMN, girl! Crazy but awesome plan 😀 These interest me, but I lack the desire to focus on that kind of thing, I don’t like math, but I *Can* do it if I have to. 😉
Yeah. The first grouping I learned in Middle-school and High school the last group/list of math- nope.
My brain actually hurts reading K-theory LOL
🙂
We’ll see.
Ambitious to say the least! I’m with Catherine; took all that stuff, it was fun, but practical application has yet to happen to my knowledge. 🙂 Wishing you much success in achieving your goals.