If they''ll let you I''d definately suggest skipping calculus and just taking linear algebra and maybe some discrete math. Now this is just my personal opinion but calculus was a waste of time. Unfortunately, taking three years of calc I just wanted to get math out of the way because it was quite boring and easy so I didn''t pay much attention when I finally got to linear algebra. Now that I''m finally working with 3d stuff I realize how useful that linear algebra stuff could have been.

Taking Calculus proves surprisingly useful. One thing you might learn in calculus (likely in a higher level course) is Fourier Transformations. They are used in things like .jpg compression and file compression (good for save games). Also in calculus you learn "differential equations" that are used in simulations to model events. So if you make a simulation-type game then differential equations can be used to model the relationships between objects in your game. Yes, take math, it''s good.

just so you know....
if you are going to take Computer Science in College then you will need Calculus I, II, and III and Physics I, and II....at least we do here at NC State. Right now I am in Calculus III. It is pretty important to 3D stuff. Especially if you plan on doing your own software 3D engine. It is all about Vectors, transformations, Dot Product, Cross Product, Differential Equations, etc......
and physics is very helpful if you plan on adding physics to your game.


"Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time"
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail

You should definately take calculus through calc 3. You should also take linear algebra and discrete math. You will be glad you did.

Calc shows up everywhere all the time. The above courses will give you most of the tools you need to understand nearly all the math you will ever want. I have yet to meet someone in computer graphics that thought they took too much math.


Mike

I don''t think they should let anyone get ANY degree without calculus I, it is part of being a literate person. No seriously, calc1 applies to everything, it is everywhere. You know how people should know fractions? calculus is kind of like fractions.

In many universities today, they make English & History majors take Calc 1 (they call it Mathematical Analysis) - If you''re persusing a degree in computer science and/or software engineering, you''d best plan on taking Calc 1,2,3,&4.

It''s frustrating to work at the edge of you''re knowledge, so make sure you take enough math to push you beyond what you need to work with

Magmai Kai Holmlor
- The disgruntled & disillusioned

Desert Fox, there are two reasons that might be responsible for me finding Physics easy. One, my school is full of idiots, and teaching anything slightly hard makes half of the parents of those idiots yell at the school .

The other reason is that I''ve been teaching myself RL physics for a couple years in my spare time. I decided I should know real physics in order to make game physics (and because quantum physics are cool , wish I had more books on them).

---

http://www.gdarchive.net/druidgames/

Maths is good. Take more maths.

Seriously, there is no aspect of maths that wont apply (even in some obscure way) to a game, or a simulation. As somebody mentioned before, differential equations can be used to model some situations, and if your simulation models somthing intrinsically complex, such as high powered physics engine, you will find that maths pops up all over the place. And not just calculus, but all types of maths. So Squeejee, if you are planning to take compsci or something of that ilk, mug up all the maths you can.
r.

i too would recommend doing as much maths as you can -its called math if you''re from the US & don''t understand english

all those animation things using acceleration & velocity - thats calculus & damn useful it is too :D

alistair

btw, i''m biased cos i did physics at uni

Wtf, why is it maths?? Do you end everything with an "s"? Maybe I should go brush up on my chemistries, or my histories, or perhaps my biologies. Well, you have a point though, if we call the maths math, why dont we call physics physic? It''s all a mystery.