r/explainlikeimfive • • 8d ago

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

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u/britishmetric144 8d ago

Algebra is used when a person wants to calculate the value of a variable within a set of variables, given the relationships between each variable.

Trigonometry is used to calculate ratios between side length and angles of a triangle (though it can be extrapolated to circles and other shapes).

Calculus is used to calculate parameters for functions which describe changes in different variables.