Question

what math techniques are most used in computer programming? i.e. functions, enumerations, what other math lessons are there?

Answer 1

For the most part, the math is fairly simple, but it's only as simple as the problems you're solving. Basic algebra had gotten me by in software development for a lot of projects, and that's 10 years of experience talking. But it all depends on what you want to do. If you want to write a 3d engine, then you'll want to make sure you know your trig, and if you want to do stats and probability, you'll need to know that line of math. In my opinion, you can't be under-learned in math when it comes to computer sciences.

Answer 2

i.c. thats interesting but im new to programming and i guess i meant more like:
i've been seeing functions and enums which are both taught in math courses so i was just wondering what else if anything is related to the actual code, not the logic or types of programs you want to write... of course theres arithmetic and operations, comparisons and all that but is there anything else?

Answer 3

Well, think what you're asking is quite language dependent. You'll find that almost all languages will be able to do basic math, and follow the rules of b.e.d.m.a.s. - in fact, you'll find that you can do some more complex math through structures by assigning custom operators. For instance, in C++, I could create a class-structure like this:
class Example2dPoint {
public:
int x, y;
/* If we commented out this function, the below code would break, because C++ doesn't know by default how to add two Example2dPoint variables */
Example2dPoint & operator+( Example2dPoint rhs ) {
Example2dPoint temp;
temp.x = rhs.x + this->x;
temp.y = rhs.y + this->y;
}
};

Example2dPoint a, b, c;
a.x = 100;
a.y = 45;
b.x = 9;
b.y = 5001;
c = a + b;
/* c.x should equal 109, and c.y should equal 5046 */

But anyway, most languages will handle any mathematical operator that you want to use.
Hope that helps.

Answer 4

it depends on what math problem you are solving if its basic math then this is fairly straight forward if its differential equations and iterations integrations etc this can be a little bit different

Answer 5

if you are using Java, the Math class contains all of the equations u will need for basic programing

Answer 6

The most important math for programming, aside from basic arithmetic and understanding functions such as the floor and ceiling, is to understand algorithms. While some may beg to differ that this isn't math, the analysis of algorithms -is- math and is something that benefits all types of programming.

Answer 7

Here goes an alternative interpretation of your question: Since you said you're new to programming, it's probably worth mentioning that functions as you'll hear them referenced constantly in this field ARE NOT the same as the functions you learn in math classes. They are similar conceptually in that they take some input parameters (generally) and output some information, but one is generally algebraic and the other (the Comp Sci meaning) is what is called algorithmic, which nocipher mentioned.