maths for programming

rambo85

What level of maths do you require to be a programmer

Anima

Depends what you want to do. It's possible to program with very little mathematical ability. However, programming and mathematics require similar qualities from a person. Logical thinking, problem solving etc. So I guess if you're good at one, you should be good at the other but maybe not in practice.

There are a lot of areas anyway that require very little or at least just plugging in some formula to the code. I don't think web programming or database work needs that much and they're some of the biggest areas.

Collumbo

No idea what your situation is or whether you're thinking of studying comp.science, but let's say you're sitting the leaving cert. If you struggled to get an B in ordinary level maths, chances are you will find any kind of programming a challenge and you won't be able to get your head around relatively simple concepts.

It really depends what type of programming though. If you wanted to, let's say, write your own online social networking application, you do not need to have an exceptional maths ability, but you do need a somewhat organised brain let's say. If you wanted to write accountancy software, you do not need to be a maths genius. That said, the better you are certain maths, the better.

If you want to write a physics engine for a computer gaming console, you do need to be a good at maths. If you want to write stuff using 'Q' for financial trading institutions you need a good maths brain. I stand to be corrected on that of course, but from the few buddies I have who are into gaming, and a relation who writes the latter, a seriously good maths brain is essential for both. Likewise, if you want to write a faster search algorithm than Google, it would help to be a math Olympian.

Stuxnet

im a 31 former carpenter, I went back to uni last year as a mature student in UL doing a computer systems degree, I didnt sit my leaving cert in 98, I left school at 17 at the start of lc year, so my maths experience is some what limited.
There is a lot of programming and comp sci in my course. I did find the maths difficult at the start, but am really finding my feet atm, as said above the maths do tie into programming and science side of things, my first semester we had a computer maths module, which dealt with series and sequences, functions, graph theory etc ! this semester we have moved onto discrete maths which involves alot of sets relations, functions and proofs, its not too difficult i can honestly say, even for an old dog like me !
so dont let it hold you back ! in UL at least there are alot of support services for maths etc, im sure there are the same in other colleges etc

onedmc

Its not the maths as such its the Mathematical ability.

rambo85

Thanks for responding,

I'm studying software in my first year in college,but I never done my
leaving cert,I'm good at the progamming and understand all the concepts so far but my maths is poor and just worried I dont get in over my head next year

Webmonkey

rambo85 wrote: »

Thanks for responding,

I'm studying software in my first year in college,but I never done my
leaving cert,I'm good at the progamming and understand all the concepts so far but my maths is poor and just worried I dont get in over my head next year

If you are good at programming (IE: can solve problems, come up with algorithms etc, not simply use libraries/functions etc), then you are probably good at maths also only you are not taught properly or you don't understand how to read or interpret it. Consider taking some grinds.

ShatterProof

as others have said its not the maths thats is importatnt , its being able to think logically and how to break thing down into logical steps - usually if good at one then good at the other.

Question for you , When was the last time you made a cup of tea ?

Now, if I were to ask you to write done the steps you took to make it would you be able to do it ?

Anima

Well theres hundreds of online books and videos from universities if you want to sit down and read them.

http://www.sciencebooksonline.info/

Thats from a quick google and you can find most topics that would be related to computer science and more. Probably a good idea to see the leaving cert syllabus and go over the topics that are in that but I'd say you could disregard much of it.