Thread: Is maths REALLY required for programming?

  1. #1
    Registered User FloatingPoint's Avatar
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    Is maths REALLY required for programming?

    Do programmers need to be excellent at maths?

    I dont really enjoy maths, but I think I like programming, tho I've only been exposed to it for a few weeks.

    Is there hope for me?
    Last edited by FloatingPoint; 07-09-2003 at 10:11 AM.

  2. #2
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    You don't have to be excellent. Hell, for some of it, you don't have to be good at all. There are portions of programming where math is totally required, though. It just depends on what you're trying to program.

  3. #3
    Registered User FloatingPoint's Avatar
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    Just what I wanted to hear!

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    Registered User Casey's Avatar
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    It helps if you can count, you know: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. Then you have to relearn how to count: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. All set after that.

  5. #5
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    You don't need to be excellent at mathematics, but it does help a bit if you understand mathematics a bit. Then it will probably be a bit easier understand specific programming things. Algorithms for processing sound or graphics, for example, often require understanding of the underlying math to make optimal use of those algorithms. It also depends on what you want to program, which areas of mathematics you will need.

  6. #6
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    Originally posted by Casey
    It helps if you can count, you know: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. Then you have to relearn how to count: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. All set after that.
    then you have to relearn to count
    0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,F

    all set after that...

  7. #7
    carry on JaWiB's Avatar
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    You forgot 1, 10, 11, 100, 101...
    "Think not but that I know these things; or think
    I know them not: not therefore am I short
    Of knowing what I ought."
    -John Milton, Paradise Regained (1671)

    "Work hard and it might happen."
    -XSquared

  8. #8
    or maybe 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10

  9. #9
    Registered User FloatingPoint's Avatar
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    Originally posted by Shiro
    You don't need to be excellent at mathematics, but it does help a bit if you understand mathematics a bit. Then it will probably be a bit easier understand specific programming things. Algorithms for processing sound or graphics, for example, often require understanding of the underlying math to make optimal use of those algorithms. It also depends on what you want to program, which areas of mathematics you will need.
    There's always the text book for reference if I dont wanna have to remember all those equations, and here's hoping I wont have to memorize them, just like in physics, chemistry etc., hell how one is supposed to remember everything?

    Well, I guess I shouldnt be too worried abt it now unless somebody there wants me to count in hex!

  10. #10
    Registered User codingmaster's Avatar
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    Do programmers need to be excellent at maths?
    I think, they should......

    It's sucks... when you write code and you u don't understand mathematics and physics......

    example:
    you work in a company.... and u have to write an algorithm for your prog.... and u get a mathematical formula.... and you dunno anything....

    ?????

    So, it's better to know the most things, you need in mathematics and in physics...

    But, for a job, like webdesigner you need no mathematics......

  11. #11
    Registered User FloatingPoint's Avatar
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    It's sucks... when you write code and you u don't understand mathematics and physics......
    I guess here arises the slight difference b/ween merely understanding and memorizing those formulas.

    For anyone who'd been to college and at least achieved a credit for any maths paper, understanding a revisited formula wouldnt much pose a problem.

    It's the "remembering most if not all of those formulas" that's been bothering me, suffice it to say that I'm not that "excellent" at maths. But I'm certain that I can get at least a C+ for my math papers, given a lil extra push

  12. #12
    The Earth is not flat. Clyde's Avatar
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    Maths is not really about memorising, IMO its about comprehension and application.

  13. #13
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    I think you'll do fine. Just determine which of the following 10 categories you fit into:

    - Those who understand binary
    - Those who don't

  14. #14
    Registered User FloatingPoint's Avatar
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    Yea, I got your point

  15. #15
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    Actually that was just a joke I saw inside the Tanner Building at BYU. But seriously, if you can do simple arithmetic, and do the same in other numerical systems, you'll probably be better than most programmers. My book for BASIC (unnecesary, I know), uses a whole bunch of trig, but I've never found a practical use for it.

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