Math for Programmers

For Computer Sciences you''ll take Algebra, Trig, and Calc classes in college.

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laziness is the foundation of efficiency
retrospiral.net | llamas! | megatokyo | FreeBSD | gamedev.net | google

Oh ok. Thanks.



WikedGamer

All of those. My Computer Science major requires calculus and linear algebra (think matrix math) to graduate, in addition to another math course of your choice. I chose a differential equations course. The calculus courses numbered three total, one on differential calculus, another on integral calculus, and another on vector calculus and some other stuff.

Are the Trig & Calculus courses pretty difficult or what? The equations look pretty damn difficult.


WikedGamer

I''m not quite a college student, but Calc and Trig are generally pretty simple--it''s getting the problems finished that''s hard. There''s a pretty big gap between the concepts and the problems sometimes...I always hate it when I feel like I understand something and suddenly im pwned by a problem the likes of which ive never seen in my life or in the book.

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Are the Trig & Calculus courses pretty difficult or what? The equations look pretty damn difficult.

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They just look that way because you haven't been shown how to solve them. I must admit, your typical calculus problem takes a hell of alot longer to solve than an algebra based one does, but thats imply because they have more steps. Jusst like an algebra problem though, once you break them down step by step, its all as easy as pie. The classes you'll take will get you there step by step. Don't fret over it

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laziness is the foundation of efficiency
retrospiral.net | llamas! | megatokyo | FreeBSD | gamedev.net | google

[edited by - zer0wolf on July 17, 2003 12:14:38 AM]

I was interested in Computer Science and then once I figured out I needed to take several math classes, I freaked out because the classes listed were "Functions and Analytical Geometry" and stuff like that.


WikedGamer

Personally, I''m just getting a minor in Computer Sciences. I''m getting my major in Computer Graphics Technology specializing in Animation... thats my plans anyways I''m considered a 2nd semester freshman for the fall, which annoys me because I''ve been in school longer than that, but most of my classes didn''t transfer from the school I''ve been attending. C''est la vie...

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laziness is the foundation of efficiency
retrospiral.net | llamas! | megatokyo | FreeBSD | gamedev.net | google

Where I am going, Calc. 2 is required, along with "Discreet Mathematics," which is very applicable to Computer Science majors programmers anyone who solves problems. But the CS program here is not that great; I''d be interested in hearing what other requirements are.

Al-ge-bra? WTF is that?

I''m doomed to take Calc, Multi-variable Calc, Stats and a bunch of other hellish crap.

Oooh, almost forgot about the statistics class that''s required, which I''ll be taking in the fall.

The math may seem daunting, but you get there by way of small steps, so it shouldn''t be that difficult. Back when I first started, I would''ve died if I had an exam on differential equations or stuff of that sort, but after going through all those other math classes, the diff eq class was pretty easy.

Integral calculus sucks anyway.

I never really found math that helpful except in 3d engines. If you were to be working with 3d engines, your best bet would be to take physics classes instead. Of course, you should have a basic understanding of algebra.

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Timothy Barnes | War Charity | 2003.

Yeah well Physics in some ways is much easier when someone knows calculus. i.e Like converting position time graphs into velocity time by simply differentiating instead of trying to find the limit of a slope which can be tedious work.

[edited by - nervo on July 18, 2003 5:01:10 AM]