   Scared of Math
  Being the high school student that I am, I'm not a big fan of math. I enjoy the problem solving when I actually do remember the process, but I've always had a history with struggling.My question is, how much math is involved when programming the latest games out there? I'm very interested in this career within the industry but when I remember that math is a core requirement, the motivation begins to leave me. I don't want to get to college and discover that I'm just not cut out for it.Many of you guys here are programmers. What's been your experience with math while programming?[Edited by - Taran Shiro on September 10, 2007 11:44:45 PM]
  Math and data structures are two of the most important things in programming, especially with games.  Although you shouldn't be scared of it or think you "aren't cut out for it"... as mathematics is just a skill you need to learn and practice.   ;Quote:Original post by SarumanMath and data structures are two of the most important things in programmingAh yes, I completely forgot to mention data structures as well. A few weeks ago I attempted to learn C#. I thought it wouldn't be too difficult after having prior experience with visual basic but I was very wrong. I couldn't figure out the way its structure is organized, seeing parentheses mixed around. Right now I'm beginning with Python which has a very easy structure and command line.[Edited by - Taran Shiro on September 10, 2007 11:48:08 PM];  I'm still in college, taking calc 2 and linear algebra.  But math definately comes easier to some than others.  For me I hated math in high school, only went through algebra 2.  Its just something you have to practice and practice.  If this is the thing you want to do then you'll have to realize that math just comes with the territory.  Even though I just started I'm already using math fairly heavily.  However, there are lots of aspects of game making that doesn't require as intense of math, lots of options.  Also there are even parts of programming games that aren't as math intensive, if you do a search in the forums tons of people have commented on this very thing.   ;Quote:Original post by Taran ShiroQuote:Original post by SarumanMath and data structures are two of the most important things in programmingAh yes, I completely forgot to mention data structures as well. A few weeks ago I attempted to learn C#. I thought it wouldn't be too difficult after having prior experience with visual basic but I was very wrong. I couldn't figure out the way its structure is organized, seeing perenticies mixed around. Right now I'm beginning with Python which has a very easy structure and command line.Parentheses. But here, you're confusing *data* structure with *code* structure, and those are very different things.As for problem solving, that isn't about remembering a process. It's about figuring out a process.   ;  Math comes way easier when you WANT to learn it. I struggled in High School (I barely got into a CS program because I slacked off a lot), but once I noticed that math was a huge part of what I wanted to do, I started to get it more easily, and it actually turned out to be a pretty fun subject.At least when you do bad in math it's your fault, and not like History where it's often up to the teacher's (or TA's) opinion.   ;  Math is a skill that you want as a programmer.  I'm a CS major, and not a very good math student, and I'm regretting it now.  I've gone through Calc 1 and I don't have to take anymore math because my university is pretty flexible with its requirements, but I would recommend going through at least calc 2 and linear algebra.  For example, I'll never be able to take a graphics course at my uni because linear algebra is a prerequisite, and even if I made it into the class, I wouldn't understand vector or matrix transformations or whatever other gobbledegook is used in 3d programming.  Luckily my idea career choice in programming doesn't involve a lot of math, but it would be a handy skill to have; I'll be unable to get a certain number of jobs because I can't do the math behind the problems (plotting coordinates of a rocket, for example.)To be a good programmer, you don't need math.  To be a great programmer, you do.   ;  First of all, I can't emphasize what Orange Peanut said enough; being familiar with certain mathematical ideas will give you a much better chance at excelling at programming.As for certain aspects of game programming -- doing graphics and physics things are usually quoted as being the nastiest for math.  I find that knowledge of linear algebra and differential equations are quite useful!Also, here is a neat online resource that has been around for a while (been revised over time, which is great) that will give folks a useful few lessons on aspects of linear algebra and matrix math: Vector Math TutorialNote; I didn't write these tutorials, and if it is breaching copyright by letting people see them through this link, please edit my post, mighty modmins ;)So, good luck with your math -- remember, we are here to answer any curious questions you may have.~Shiny   ;Quote:Original post by The Orange PeanutMath is a skill that you want as a programmer.  I'm a CS major, and not a very good math student, and I'm regretting it now.  I've gone through Calc 1 and I don't have to take anymore math because my university is pretty flexible with its requirements, but I would recommend going through at least calc 2 and linear algebra.  For example, I'll never be able to take a graphics course at my uni because linear algebra is a prerequisite, and even if I made it into the class, I wouldn't understand vector or matrix transformations or whatever other gobbledegook is used in 3d programming.  Luckily my idea career choice in programming doesn't involve a lot of math, but it would be a handy skill to have; I'll be unable to get a certain number of jobs because I can't do the math behind the problems (plotting coordinates of a rocket, for example.)To be a good programmer, you don't need math.  To be a great programmer, you do.Well, I'm not that much good at maths either, but I understood matrix and vector maths  / linear algebra no problem. Put simply, they are just grids of numbers which have special rules to allow them to be operated on as if they were "scaler", i.e. single numbers.If you want to learn this stuff, the best way is to write a linear algebra library. In reality you don't need to go into the details of linear algebra to use it, since there are plenty of libraries in existence which can do this stuff for you.   ;  Math is very important with game programming. One thing you have to remember though is that when you start using this math every day it starts to become really easy and second nature the same way the multiplication table is when you're in elementary school.The important thing is that you come to understand the concept of the math, even if you don't get it fully. Once you start using it in practice over and over again it will become easier.   