Friday 11 March 2011

Calculus

Being a computer science major, I need to take lots of different kinds of math courses. One of these classes is calculus. Now I'd like to say that I like calculus as much as I like discrete mathematics or linear algebra, but that's not the case. Gone are the days when we would take derivatives of polynomials and that was it. Now it's like "Oh what's that, you've just finally understood u-substitution? Great because now we're going to start integration by parts. Also, remember the Cartesian coordinate system? Yeah so we're going to plot things based on r and theta now, not x and y." FML. I love math, I just don't like this particular area of it. Saying this, I do have to ensure everyone that I do understand its importance and usefulness. Calculus is a very useful tool for optimization problems, especially for civil and mechanical engineers. I'm just not all that into it.
More discrete math please!

15 comments:

  1. I always loved integration by parts...

    Oh well, tough it out I suppose. Calculus is something of a right-of-passage in the "Real" majors.

    Suggestion: Take abstract algebra. Best kind of algebra. Go for Math minor. Always seems to be plenty of cute math girls around, no computer science girls.

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  2. I feel you have read my mind with this post. Calculus is not my preferred subject and most days it can be dreadful. Although i must agree it is a right of passage.

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  3. What is calculus? Is it like algebra? I live in the UK and have never heard anyone mention calculus over here.

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  4. Ah man, calculus... I try to forget that...

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  5. The calculus can get pretty annoying when you're trying to program a physics simulation.

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  6. Is C++ difficult to transition from Java??

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  7. I got an A in Calculus 2. Fun times.

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  8. No, in fact, Java is based somewhat on C++ and has an easier syntax for printed text.

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  9. As soon as you get it, you'll love it :P

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  10. I like C++ I'm learning java now and finding it quite easy

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  11. So have you already proven limits of functions by choosing epsilon and finding a suitable delta? I think that was the most important part of my first calculus course in uni.

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  12. do you need to be good at math generally for c+? what types?

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  13. I'm taking computer science as my major and scared shitless of high level maths...how fucked am I??

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