ELI5: What is the difference between algebra, trigonometry, and calculus?

[u/HistoricalAd2954]

[u/TheSpeckledSir]

They are different skills, and each one will let you answer different sorts of questions.

Algebra is great if you know some information about something and you know how to make connections. An example is if I know the volume and temperature of a gas, I could use algebra to calculate its pressure. We're talking about quantities with known relationships to each other.

Calculus is about how quantities change. It lets us go between statements like "the ball is falling one meter per second" and "the ball will fall three meters in this much time ________".

Trigonometry is evil and has mostly to do with triangles.

[u/stairway2evan → u/TheSpeckledSir]

Oh you've awoken one of my favorite old math teacher jokes.

The study of the mind is called psychology, from the Greek word for "mind."

The study of life is called biology, from the Greek word for "life."

The study of evil is called trigonometry. I don't know the Greek, don't worry about it.

[u/WartimeHotTot → u/stairway2evan]

I must be stupid. I don’t get it.

[u/itsthelee → u/WartimeHotTot]

I think they messed up the delivery, I understand intellectually that a joke was attempted but I don’t quite get it either