Mathematics

The methods of measurement described in the preceding chapter are inextricably linked with the concepts of mathematics. Not only does mathematics provide a set of rules for the manipulation of quantities, it also gives the scientist a language to express these manipulations clearly and succinctly. Facility with this language is indispensable. Much can be done with the basic mathematical principles which are part of everyone’s education, but the environmental scientist can take a significant additional step forward in his subject by mastering the concepts of calculus and mechanics. These concepts, which catch the essence of the working of the natural world, are the main subject of this chapter. We shall begin, though, with a brief review of basic algebra and trigonometry.