Thread: Mathematical ability and C/C++

  1. #1
    Registered User UneducatedOne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    57

    Question Mathematical ability and C/C++

    I was curious to know if C and C++ are very intense maths wise.
    I'm in year 10 and understand most web programming languages, but find them a little too easy, i was reading over some C++ text a while ago and saw that it looked much much harder than what i'm used to, is it possible to learn C/C++ without a very good knowledge of maths?

  2. #2
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    The edge of the known universe
    Posts
    39,660
    > is it possible to learn C/C++ without a very good knowledge of maths?
    Yes.

    Neither language has much inherent maths capability - just +,-,*,/ on integer and floating point types. All the advanced stuff is buried away in library files (which if you don't use, do not need to concern you (unless you're just curious)).
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

  3. #3
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    2,686
    If you want to use complex mathematical processes with C++, you can. Strong math background is not a prerequisite for learning and using the language though. C and C++ are often used to solve complex math and scientific problems because it is reasonably efficient, and fairly easy to implement.
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

  4. #4
    Has a Masters in B.S.
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    2,263
    though math skills are not required to learn the language depending on what you want to do with it you may need them.
    ADVISORY: This users posts are rated CP-MA, for Mature Audiences only.

  5. #5
    Registered User UneducatedOne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    57
    Thank you, it's just that my school cancelled IPT(information processes and technology-Programming) because they said " It reqiuires a VERY high degree of maths, you need to do upwards for 3 Unit maths".

  6. #6
    Hamster without a wheel iain's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    1,385
    as said before you need a basic grasp of maths, (counting, addition, basic concepts, basic algebraic concepts) but apart from that not at all. I fail to see how they can say it needs a high degree of maths. The maths required for basic programming is not complex, not even to a 10 year old (and i dont mean that to be an insult)
    Monday - what a way to spend a seventh of your life

  7. #7
    Fingerstyle Guitarist taylorguitarman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    564
    I believe it helps to be mathematically inclined.
    That's why so many people say it's required.
    In general, people that are good with math tend to think analytically, which is what programming requires. Beginning programming requires very little actual math skills. Everyone else has mentioned them. As you become a more advanced programmer, mathematics begins to play a larger role. For example: 3d graphics programming relies heavily on matrix math and linear algebra.
    If you can think logically, you'll be just fine.
    Good Luck.
    If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to see it, do the other trees make fun of it?

  8. #8
    Registered User UneducatedOne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    57
    Thank you, I am currently studying 2unit maths at school(intermediate) and in year 11 will be studying 3unit maths(advanced maths and extended maths), this should see me through the basics of C++(I hope:-)

    out

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    154
    I don't think you necessarily need lots of math skills to program C++ by itself. But lots of exercises in early programming courses are doing math problems.

  10. #10
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    2,686
    Out of curiosity, what is 2 Unit and 3 Unit math? I am not familiar with that naming system.
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

  11. #11
    Refugee face_master's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    2,052
    It is the amount and speed and hardness of the maths course. For example, 3 unit maths is harder than 2 unit maths.
    Last edited by face_master; 09-16-2001 at 07:25 PM.

  12. #12
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    2,686
    So with a higher number, the course moves faster, and more material is covered?

    Thanks.
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

  13. #13
    Registered User UneducatedOne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    57
    Zach L. >> in years 11 and 12(australian high schools) there is 2unit(general), 2unit(advanced) and 3unit(advanced + extension).
    There is no maths "fundamentals" because the level of maths done is for people that are good at maths and for people that are very good at maths.


    thats all....

  14. #14
    Registered User UneducatedOne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    57
    taylorguitarman >>> If you can think logically, you'll be just fine.
    You mean just the basic skills of problem solving?.

  15. #15
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    8,823
    You mean just the basic skills of problem solving?
    Yeah - good logic skills are the hardest and most useful things to have in programming.

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed