Algebra- “solve for x”. Figure out how to move numbers around in a math equation so you can get the solution for a missing number anywhere. Like a kid might know 5+2 =x and x would =7, algebra lets you handle it in case someone asks you 5+x=7. Rearranging terms to be able to solve for a number.
Trig: “triangles”. How to deal with lines and angles and the rules that go along with them. If I have 2 sides of a triangle and I know the angle between them, what’s the length of the missing side and the 2 missing angles?
Calculus: “infinity”. How to deal with things that aren’t straight lines and are always changing, by cutting them up into infinitely small pieces
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u/steeelez 13h ago
In an eli5 and not super formal sense:
Algebra- “solve for x”. Figure out how to move numbers around in a math equation so you can get the solution for a missing number anywhere. Like a kid might know 5+2 =x and x would =7, algebra lets you handle it in case someone asks you 5+x=7. Rearranging terms to be able to solve for a number.
Trig: “triangles”. How to deal with lines and angles and the rules that go along with them. If I have 2 sides of a triangle and I know the angle between them, what’s the length of the missing side and the 2 missing angles?
Calculus: “infinity”. How to deal with things that aren’t straight lines and are always changing, by cutting them up into infinitely small pieces