Linear algebra vs calculus

I used to think that I would never really be "interested" in math like I am with almost every other topic (chemistry, physics, politics, history, sociology etc...). Calculus (single variable) always seemed like such a chore to me. Then last quarter I took linear algebra and that stuff was interesting, once I got the hang of it, it became fun to do and I liked the connections with computers that appeared everywhere.

Now I am back in calculus (taking multivariable) and my derp face came back when I opened the book for the first time. Does anyone have any tips on helping me get out of the mindset of math being a chore again? What can I draw upon as inspiration for multivariable?

Try to relate it to something you enjoy. I did poor at trig but excelled in physics even though the lessons we had were very similar. It was something about energy, momentum, and the science of large explosions that motivated me. Trig was static, boring, and had no immediate use while I could visually relate to physics and use it everywhere.

Algebra is also surprisingly interesting when dealing with complex inventories. Having a solid foundation in it helps account for and solve difficult issues.

Try learning Haskell. Lambda calculus your PC will run.

It pays to revise over your simple differentiation and integration.

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Originally Posted by a completely inoffensive name

Now I am back in calculus (taking multivariable) and my derp face came back when I opened the book for the first time. Does anyone have any tips on helping me get out of the mindset of math being a chore again? What can I draw upon as inspiration for multivariable?

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What level of education are you studying at? For me, maths started to come alive when I realised that nearly all the analysis in my major (economics) was done using maths (and historically using calculus in particular, being the method used to solve optimisation problems). Maybe pick up a mathematical economics textbook or journal and see how maths can be applied to the more human/social subjects that you seem more drawn to?

You might also find some inspiration in how Newton's invention of calculus aided his discoveries in physics. As Gallileo said: "Nature's great book is written in mathematical language."

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Originally Posted by spankythehippo

It pays to revise over your simple differentiation and integration.

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That's why I kept my single variable textbook. :)

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Originally Posted by econ21

What level of education are you studying at? For me, maths started to come alive when I realised that nearly all the analysis in my major (economics) was done using maths (and historically using calculus in particular, being the method used to solve optimisation problems). Maybe pick up a mathematical economics textbook or journal and see how maths can be applied to the more human/social subjects that you seem more drawn to?

You might also find some inspiration in how Newton's invention of calculus aided his discoveries in physics. As Gallileo said: "Nature's great book is written in mathematical language."

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What do you mean by level of education? What is my major? This is my second year in uni currently doing a Chemistry major.

So far in class the idea of vectors (our class textbook is called vector calculus) has been nice, since my first physics class pertaining to classical mechanics allows me to visualize what exactly is going on. I just hope I can keep up with the class as the visuals become more complex.

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Originally Posted by spankythehippo

It pays to revise over your simple differentiation and integration.

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or pay other people to do your chores