Math and Computing

[sargx]

I'm a CS major... I suck at math. Out of curiosity to those more experienced and in the field. Are mathematics required for the work area.. Or is that just bullshit. I'm probably just looking for an excuse to fail Calculus again, but I don't really see me ever having to take the derivative of /dev/null * the integral of Pi * /home (ok, i'km done with really pointless comments for today).



Drop me some thoughts... as I finish another 78 calc problems.

[gghornet]

Yes.Math is definately important to computing.In order to gain a good understanding of computers,you have to know binary,and the conversion of binary.There are also countless numbers of algorithms,especially if you're going into the security area of computers.You can't understand a machine based on math if you don't understand math.Eventually you'll hit a brick wall.

[y2k]

when i'm in college i really like calculus. the easiest and challenging chapter in math subject. i thought. n wat i notice is, cal very important in our life, so good luck 4 it.

[MrLinus]

Binary conversation isn't that difficult and the reasoning of the various mathematics is there, I believe, for two reasons: one, tradition. When computing first came out, it was in the mathematics, engineering, physics or other sciences departments. Second, the logic that is engrained in mathematics. Math is a pure form of truth serum and answers are either true or false.

There are, however, many programs (none degreed and a few variations degreed) that do not require mathematics. Me personally I don't see the need to have that much mathematics in Computer Science for the guy who will end up doing Admin or general non-scientific programming. In fact, in the Security Degree I'm looking at creating, my intention is to have one or two math courses and that's it. In my opinion, the time spent in endless math courses could be spent elsewhere unless you will be doing scientific or mathematical programming.

[nebulus200]

The calculus does matter (as much as I disliked it, but got my minor in math anyway). Many of the algorithms that are taught as standard part of a CS curriculum will use priniciples from Calculus (and it helps to understand the background before you try to understand the algorithm). There are things like evaluating the effeciency of an algorithm that can use alot of math and areas of CS like computer graphics and visualization can use alot of math as well.

IMHO, it is very hard to separate a good grounding in mathematics from a solid understanding of CS principals, which is why it is required by many CS curriculums. Hang in there, it'll be worth it.

Neb

[mani034]

when i was in 9th or 10th class i used to mug pythogarus theorm, basic proportinality
thorem, etc..... just to get passed. hmmm, no. that was just beginnin. after that i really
realised the use calculus , coordiante geometry(my favourite). that increases confidence
in u.well persons who get panic by seeing maths problem, here is hint!!

just solve same type of problem 2 , 3 times .its enough to make u strong

well i dont say practice, practice, practice though itz obvious truth, just try it till
u feel comfortable.
Note: i am not a philosopher...

n-joi maths

when i was in 9th or 10th class i used to mug pythogarus theorm, basic proportinality
thorem, etc..... just to get passed. hmmm, no. that was just beginnin. after that i really
realised the use calculus , coordiante geometry(my favourite). that increases confidence
in u.well persons who get panic by seeing maths problem, here is hint!!

just solve same type of problem 2 , 3 times .its enough to make u strong

well i dont say practice, practice, practice though itz obvious truth, just try it till
u feel comfortable.
Note: i am not a philosopher...

n-joi maths

when i was in 9th or 10th class i used to mug pythogarus theorm, basic proportinality
thorem, etc..... just to get passed. hmmm, no. that was just beginnin. after that i really
realised the use calculus , coordiante geometry(my favourite). that increases confidence
in u.well persons who get panic by seeing maths problem, here is hint!!

just solve same type of problem 2 , 3 times .its enough to make u strong

well i dont say practice, practice, practice though itz obvious truth, just try it till
u feel comfortable.
Note: i am not a philosopher...

n-joi maths

[Jabberwocky]

true you do have to be fluent in binary and probably hex to understand a lot of the underlying concepts in computers, and the problem solving logic is also something you need to be comfortable with if you plan to write any useful algorithems. but i had to take three semesters of calc and a few other bullshit logic classes that have absolutely nothing to do with computing (unless i plan on designing the next metlab).

my school required cs majors to minor in math, but i would have preferred to minor in business, b/c i plan to work on my mba after i get my cs masters. oh well, just another thing to add to the ol' resume.

[shkuey]

Math is very important.

It's hard to tell you exactly why, I don't think knowing binary or hex is that mathetimatically demanding. It's certainly not calculus.

However mathetical concepts and logic appear over and over again in programming. If you know how to calculate something mathetimatically, you can write a function to do it.

I work with people who write programs that simulate a satellite launch. This requires a wealth of knowledge of both physics and math. If you get into graphics, depending on what kind, you'll have to know vector mathmatics or matricies, or whichever type of method the graphics are based on. Not every programming job is going to require calculus, but all the really interesting stuff will.

[(V)/\><]

it should depend on the area you want to specialise in.
cryptography uses functions (trapdoor functions in particular) so you would have to be familiar with all types of functions, polynomials of degree 2,3,4, linear, trignometric and especially exponential ones. it should prove useful in understanding what you are doing, and when you want to make an encryption algo as complicated and cryptic as your imagination lets it.
im not sure, but i think calculus would be used in graphics aswell...thats all to do with plotting lines and whatnot...but i suspect that nowadays its more to do with non-standard analysis...