Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - I suck at math, how do I get good at programming?

Rangsk · 04-13-2004, 08:53 AM

Math is required for many advanced Computer Science topics. Many claim that the only reason you'd need it would be for 3d graphics... I disagree.

You need it for all of the following, and probably much more that I won't list:

Optimization - if you want to optimize something - ANYTHING - then you will, 99% of the time, need the math and CS theory to do so most effectively. For example, if you want to create a priority queue, if you don't use math you will most likely only get an insert of O(n), whereas with basic CS theory you can get an insert of O(log(n)).

Data structures (even unoptimized ones) frequently have a strong mathematical basis for their implementations.

Compilers... I don't think I need to explain this one, but I will if anyone wants me to.

Logic in general requires a mathematical basis, especially for boolean algebra, finite automita, push-down automita, context free languages, turing machines, proofs of any kind, counting sets... you name it.

Statistics, a branch of mathematics, is also used widely in programming and analysis of programs.

I don't see how someone could survive the programming workforce and get snatched by a well-paying company without a good basis in mathematics. You need to be able to work well with all the things I listed.

As for not being good at math - for many, many people, I find that they aren't "good" at math simply because they don't like math. Math takes a good deal of concentration and training to do really well in... it doesn't come "naturally" to many people, even if they claim that it does. I would like to see someone who is "naturally" good at math solve some calc equations without the 10 years of school training beforehand with basic math, algebra, geometry, trig, etc. My advice to you is that if you want to be a serious programmer then you should most certaintly learn the mathematics behind computer science theory.

Edit:
I'd also like to mention that if you want to do any computer engineering - specifically things to do with the hardware behind computers, you will most certaintly need a very good backgorund in mathematics, physics (needs calc), and circuits (needs calc). And even if you don't want to make a career out of comptuer hardware, it is a very good idea to understand it if you want to do comptuer programming.

04-13-2004, 08:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rangsk Crazy Location: San Diego, CA	Math is required for many advanced Computer Science topics. Many claim that the only reason you'd need it would be for 3d graphics... I disagree. You need it for all of the following, and probably much more that I won't list: Optimization - if you want to optimize something - ANYTHING - then you will, 99% of the time, need the math and CS theory to do so most effectively. For example, if you want to create a priority queue, if you don't use math you will most likely only get an insert of O(n), whereas with basic CS theory you can get an insert of O(log(n)). Data structures (even unoptimized ones) frequently have a strong mathematical basis for their implementations. Compilers... I don't think I need to explain this one, but I will if anyone wants me to. Logic in general requires a mathematical basis, especially for boolean algebra, finite automita, push-down automita, context free languages, turing machines, proofs of any kind, counting sets... you name it. Statistics, a branch of mathematics, is also used widely in programming and analysis of programs. I don't see how someone could survive the programming workforce and get snatched by a well-paying company without a good basis in mathematics. You need to be able to work well with all the things I listed. As for not being good at math - for many, many people, I find that they aren't "good" at math simply because they don't like math. Math takes a good deal of concentration and training to do really well in... it doesn't come "naturally" to many people, even if they claim that it does. I would like to see someone who is "naturally" good at math solve some calc equations without the 10 years of school training beforehand with basic math, algebra, geometry, trig, etc. My advice to you is that if you want to be a serious programmer then you should most certaintly learn the mathematics behind computer science theory. Edit: I'd also like to mention that if you want to do any computer engineering - specifically things to do with the hardware behind computers, you will most certaintly need a very good backgorund in mathematics, physics (needs calc), and circuits (needs calc). And even if you don't want to make a career out of comptuer hardware, it is a very good idea to understand it if you want to do comptuer programming. __________________ "Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose." -- Douglas Adams Last edited by Rangsk; 04-13-2004 at 08:56 AM..