[Blindmath] Calculator for Calculus and Linear Algebra

Wed Aug 4 12:00:14 UTC 2010

Peter,
I am coming late to this discussion, but I can comment as to why the level 
of math is required. There are a few reasons actually. First, there are 
actually a lot of situations in computer programming and software 
engineering where advanced mathematics will serve you. Examples include 
algorithm analysis, designing of new algorithms, system level programming, 
and others. It's interesting to note that many of the computer algorithms 
we use were designed by mathematicians. If you look at data compression, for 
instance, it's mostly a problem of probability and information theory. 
Cryptography is almost entirely mathematical in nature. For basic 
programming you're right. But if you want to design advanced algorithms, 
analyze existing ones, or even choose between two existing ones for your 
specific situation knowledge of mathematics is a must have. As a final 
statement on this particular point I would like to point out that there are 
algorithms out there which are only expressed in terms of the mathematical 
operations required to carry out the algorithm.

There is a second reason I think they make a computer science student take 
all the math and hard science they do. I think a portion of the course work 
is designed to instill a certain way of thinking and problem solving. If you 
compare the process needed to design a software system to that required to 
solve a word problem in mathematics, you'll find there are a lot of 
similarities.

When you study computer science, you're not just learning how to write a 
program. You're learning about computing in general, software engineering, 
and yes, programming. With larger software systems, the battle isn't the 
code itself. With a proper design, the actual writing of the code is much 
easier. It's hard to see that for smaller projects, though. In my opinion, 
that's one problem some colleges have with their computer science programs. 
They emphasize the need to design and use all these tools they give you, but 
you don't really have to for the tasks they set for you. It's like me giving 
you a bulldoser and telling you to use it to knock over a house of cards. A 
simple puff of air would do the job just fine. The result is that a lot of 
people don't understand why things they're being taught are important, so it 
doesn't stick as well as it should.

I apologize if this seems a bit wordy. I felt the need to respond though 
because I used to feel as you do. I couldn't understand why on earth I 
should have to take mathematics to program a computer. I felt that way until 
I got into more of the upper division undergrad computer science courses. 
Then I started to understand how the mathematics applied to the topic of 
computer science as a whole. If you're just getting started, just stick with 
it and you'll start to see why they made you do it. One tip. Make sure you 
understand the math as you go. It'll be a lot harder if you don't. That's a 
lesson I had to learn the hard way.
Joe

Peter Wolfe writes:

> Sarah and others,
> 
> 
> 
>      Thank you for your timely reply to my calculator question. How
> would you configure a  problem with a solution step by step then in
> calculus? I'm wondering how much do I need to keep in my head and what
> are some tips on strategies of working calculus problems? Well, I have
> had precalculus like two and a half years ago and I forgot most of it
> unfortunately. At the time, I thought that I was going to be a
> politician but realized you have to be too pc for that arena. You also
> are the wimb of voters, ethics, pay cuts or forloughs, bureaucracy and
> etc. I'm now going to computer science and I've programmed before and
> really don't see why you need this level of mathematics to do
> operators or compiling much of anything at all other than domain
> registeration or some bios or software archaetecture course work which
> only probably 10% of the overall programming career actually pursuits.
> Most programming in my experience is dealing with algebra like
> variables, coefficients, standard four operations and etc not really
> advanced mathematics.
> 
> On 8/3/10, sarah.jevnikar at utoronto.ca <sarah.jevnikar at utoronto.ca> wrote:
>> Peter,
>> If you have a standard scientific calculator that works for you, you
>> should be ok. Most universities won't let you use them for tests and
>> exams etc. though.
>> As far as what you need to know, I think we'd need to know about your
>> academic background. however, if you have some algebra, trig, and
>> geometry behind you you can grasp calculus.
>>
>>
>> Quoting Peter Wolfe <sunspot005 at gmail.com>:
>>
>>> To Blind Math list,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>     I'm wondering if my talking scientific calculator could do Cal I,
>>> II and III and Linear Algebra work? I'm in particular wondering about
>>> Calculus I for the fall semester. Also, it would be helpful if anyone
>>> off list could tell me what sort of things you would need to know
>>> before starting calculus. I'm about to get a allgebra book an geometry
>>> with trigenemetry or whatever. Thanks for any suggestions (e.g.
>>> talking graphing calculators or other equipment with URLS or price or
>>> suggestions in general to my sunspot005 at gmail.com address.
>>>
>>> God bless,
>>> Peter
>>>
>>> --
>>> Peter Q. Wolfe, AS
>>> sunspot005 at gmail.com
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Peter Q. Wolfe, AS
> sunspot005 at gmail.com
> 
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