Fall 2004

Physics 150-Basic Math

1. Scientific notation

When dealing with very large or very small numbers, it is much more convenient (and takes a lot less typing) to use Scientific Notation. Scientific notation takes the form  and the rule is quite simple. If n is positive, move the decimal point n places to the right. If n is negative, move the decimal point n places to the left. When typing, we often abbreviate scientific notation with an "e" instead of the . Some examples:

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·

·

·

2. Algebra

We will use the following notation:

· means “x plus y”

· means “x minus y”

· means “x times y”

· means “x divided by y”

· means “x to the y power” or “x times itself y times”.

i. Example:

· means “the square root of x” and

3. Geometry and Trigonometry

The figure shows a right triangle. It is a right triangle because one of the angles is The other two angles are and the sides have length a, b, and c.

We have the following relationships:

·

· Pythagorean Theorem:

· Sine is opposite over hypotenuse: and

· Cosine is adjacent over hypotenuse: and

· Tangent is opposite over adjacent: and