What level of math are you proficient in?

Calc II is the extent of my math knowledge. That's as far as I'm required to take for my major. Math is one of those subjects that I'm quite good at, but don't really care enough about to pursue.

I'm a CS major. I think I've taken more math than most CS majors because I used to think I liked theoretical math and physics and because I'm into data science and so I've taken a fair bit of probability/stats and such.

For what it's worth, I would argue that theoretical computer science (algorithms, formal languages, P vs NP, etc) is also a kind of math, even if it's very different from, say, calculus. I've taken two algorithms classes as part of my major, and I'm considering at some point taking theory of computation which sounds fascinating though useless.

Yes, I recall covering something like that towards the end. It's not like I don't see why Linear Algebra is useful, or some practical applications. I just meant that I, specifically, don't (perhaps only currently) have a use for linear algebra, and I dislike it because it doesn't really interest me, not that I find anything bad about it. I guess I exaggerated my dislike of it, but it is the math I like the least.

I had the same experience when I took theoretical linear algebra (a class for math majors, which is even worse in this respect than the applied sort of linear algebra for engineering majors and such -- all you do is prove things that don't seem to have any bearing to anything you care about).

I found that I appreciated it a lot more once I learned about other things that used it, particularly quantum mechanics, but also machine learning, and digital communications. The problem with linear algebra is that it's dry to learn all by itself, but it's hard to learn about its applications without knowing it first.

I found that I appreciated it a lot more once I learned about other things that used it

Oddly enough, as I've been studying in the past few days, I've been thinking about linear algebra a bit, mostly maybe I should be reviewing it, and quite possibly, the only reason I haven't fully come around to it is my stubborn insistence on sticking to not liking it.

If you're a CS major and do anything related to Graphics, isn't Linear Algebra a godsend?

If you're a CS major and do anything related to Graphics, isn't Linear Algebra a godsend?

you can apply concepts of linear algebra to several things in real life. be it physical like circuit loading, optimizing weight loads of structures to something digital like data compression and finance calculation.

I'm pretty capable at Stats. The rest of math I'm just completely useless at (though I always wonder how much better I'd be at it if I actually applied myself).

Currently taking Calc I and struggling, which is strange because I had no problems with Pre-Calc.

Question:

Math wise, I did poorly in HS but I'm doing pretty good (Bs in the two courses I've taken so far) in college. Should I be worried? I've taken summer school/after school courses to catch up a bit.

Question:

Math wise, I did poorly in HS but I'm doing pretty good (Bs in the two courses I've taken so far) in college. Should I be worried? I've taken summer school/after school courses to catch up a bit.

If you mean in terms of getting into college, I would say you're fine.

Otherwise, it really depends on what you plan on majoring in. I mean, I started out in Anthro/Poli Sci BA program and I didn't have to take a single math course, but when I switched into a Comp Sci BS program, Calc II wasn't gonna cut it. For the Arts/Social Science programs, I don't think you need anything higher than Calc II (plus maybe probability and/or statistics?), for Science programs, you of course need more diverse math courses, for example, switching majors added Calc III, Discrete Structures, and Linear Algebra to my program requirements. It may vary by school and program as well, but, I believe, in general, the core requirements are the same across universities. You should probably speak to your school counselor, you're still in high school, yeah?, about this, and when you get to college, speak to an advisor.

If you mean in terms of getting into college, I would say you're fine.

Otherwise, it really depends on what you plan on majoring in. I mean, I started out in Anthro/Poli Sci BA program and I didn't have to take a single math course, but when I switched into a Comp Sci BS program, Calc II wasn't gonna cut it. For the Arts/Social Science programs, I don't think you need anything higher than Calc II (plus maybe probability and/or statistics?), for Science programs, you of course need more diverse math courses, for example, switching majors added Calc III, Discrete Structures, and Linear Algebra to my program requirements. It may vary by school and program as well, but, I believe, in general, the core requirements are the same across universities. You should probably speak to your school counselor, you're still in high school, yeah?, about this, and when you get to college, speak to an advisor.

I'm a sophomore at a community college. I've taken College Algebra and Trig and received a B in both them. Aiming for a high B or an A in Calculus I, which is what I'm enrolled in now. ACT Math score was a...21, I believe, before I started at the community college.

I'm a sophomore at a community college. I've taken College Algebra and Trig and received a B in both them. Aiming for a high B or an A in Calculus I, which is what I'm enrolled in now. ACT Math score was a...21, I believe, before I started at the community college.

Oh I see, so you're planning on transferring to a university? I don't know anything about that, but I would guess it would depend on the school. Generally, I don't think they consider anything that happened before college when you're transferring into a university rather than applying directly out of high school, though, especially since you've already been in college for over a year. If you're doing fine in math now, I don't think you really have anything to worry about.

I'm a sophomore math major taking differential equations and linear algebra. Calc 3 was my favorite math so far. I'm tempted to switch majors, though because I'm not fond of proof writing.

I think I'm more proficient in most basic Mathematics for secondary school except calculus, algebra, locus.
because what's the mostly I do was digital painting and drawing during my school life, although I took Pure Science stream.
I guess my weaknesses are advanced level of mathematics (high school level)...

Grades from my Malaysian Certificate of Education:
Modern Mathematics = A+ (fundamentals of calculus, algebra, linear equation, probability, statistics)
Additional Mathematics = C (enough for me to pass, this subject was basically advanced advanced version of Modern Mathematics)

The highest I ever got was Calc I. However, to do my line of work you only need to know computational logic (boolean algebra, mostly), basic algebra, computation theory (P ?=? NP, computability), and program design.

Also, taking philosophy can help more than you realize. You will find yourself making a lot of arguments about why something is or is not true and while that can be a pretty muddy concept in philosophy you can be pretty crystal clear about it in computers. Philosophy can help you analyze arguments, recognize basic argument forms, and refute arguments. It can be a kind of math. Just as proofs are a part of geometry, philosophy is a part of life.

The highest I ever got was Calc I. However, to do my line of work you only need to know computational logic (boolean algebra, mostly), basic algebra, computation theory (P ?=? NP, computability), and program design.

Also, taking philosophy can help more than you realize. You will find yourself making a lot of arguments about why something is or is not true and while that can be a pretty muddy concept in philosophy you can be pretty crystal clear about it in computers. Philosophy can help you analyze arguments, recognize basic argument forms, and refute arguments. It can be a kind of math. Just as proofs are a part of geometry, philosophy is a part of life.

At this point in time, I'm leaning toward a major in Mathematics, minor in Computer Science. I want to program, but I want a strong ability to write complex algorithms/understand them. I'm under the impression that algorithms are pure math, less syntax. (Thats what my professor seems to make it out to be)

If this sounds silly, maybe it is. That just my current line of thought at the moment, based upon what I know, or what I think I know. I'm in a C++ class right now, took VB.NET parts 1 and 2 freshman year of college. Haven't finished all four programming courses offered here (C++ part 1 is the first, C++ part 2 is the second), so I'm not completely clear on how everything works yet.

At this point in time, I'm leaning toward a major in Mathematics, minor in Computer Science. I want to program, but I want a strong ability to write complex algorithms/understand them. I'm under the impression that algorithms are pure math, less syntax. (Thats what my professor seems to make it out to be)

Writing complex code is usually A Bad Thing(™. Maintainable code is way, way better than complicated/complex code with all sorts of shortcuts. If you only want to program, 99.999% of it will be fairly straightforward code. You'd only need to write computationally complicated code when you get down to the barebones - like writing graphics engine stuff in Unity or Unreal engines. If that's what you want to work on though, more power to you and learn about all the complicated stuff so I don't need to do it.

If this sounds silly, maybe it is. That just my current line of thought at the moment, based upon what I know, or what I think I know. I'm in a C++ class right now, took VB.NET parts 1 and 2 freshman year of college. Haven't finished all four programming courses offered here (C++ part 1 is the first, C++ part 2 is the second), so I'm not completely clear on how everything works yet.

Learn to write simple code that other people can follow along without needing you there. This way if something breaks while you're gone, someone can fix it. You have to keep the Bus Factor in mind.

Simple code is better than fast code.
Simple code is better than unmaintainable code.

There is simply nothing better than simple code.

I'd highly recommend reading Code Complete.

And if you're interested in learning about complicated algorithms that you might be interested in, I'd highly recommend checking out the "What the f'uck?" code: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_invers...f_the_code

Writing complex code is usually A Bad Thing(™. Maintainable code is way, way better than complicated/complex code with all sorts of shortcuts. If you only want to program, 99.999% of it will be fairly straightforward code. You'd only need to write computationally complicated code when you get down to the barebones - like writing graphics engine stuff in Unity or Unreal engines. If that's what you want to work on though, more power to you and learn about all the complicated stuff so I don't need to do it.




Learn to write simple code that other people can follow along without needing you there. This way if something breaks while you're gone, someone can fix it. You have to keep the Bus Factor in mind.

Simple code is better than fast code.
Simple code is better than unmaintainable code.

There is simply nothing better than simple code.

I'd highly recommend reading Code Complete.

And if you're interested in learning about complicated algorithms that you might be interested in, I'd highly recommend checking out the "What the f'uck?" code: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_invers...f_the_code

Is this what you're talking about?

I've read some cool things about physics/collision engines before, I believe. That sort of thing is interesting.