Question

Hi, here is a real simple question for someone, Math backgrounds does one need in learning Python, Algebra, Trig, Geometry, etc..

Answer 1

i don't understand question if it's a question lol

Answer 2

what type of math backgrounds to most programmers have? sorry for the confusion.

Answer 3

discrete maths
logic, set theory, probability, functions, mathematical induction, matrices

Answer 4

Nice, i had Algebra, and geometry about 25 years ago, I am struggling a bit here.

Answer 5

You'll be fine. Just google the math concepts that come up in the class. You can go at your own pace anyway, so take your time.

Answer 6

Yes that is the plan, I m on pse1 and I am struggling on the primes, I have looked at other peoples code but still can't seem to unravell the puzzle.... But still hacking away at it.

Answer 7

I got the book "learning python the hard way", and have been plugging away it, a little bit of a break from all brain fry... LOL

Answer 8

It is a struggle for everyone in the beginning. I took about 24 grueling hours (not including sleep) to do PS1. I've taken a lot of "advanced" math and physics classes but as you can see I still struggled. Once I got the hang of it (and did the readings!) I only took about 2-3 hours for the 3 of the 4 problems in PS4. Take your time. You don't need that much math to be able to learn how to program. What matters is learning how to identify patterns and breaking those patterns down into small steps with the programming commands. The point where the "advanced" math comes into play is when statistics and mathematical simulations start being introduced and that's not until lecture 17 and PS 9, but that will not even be of use to you really unless you plan on doing highly mathematical stuff. Just make it to lecture 16 and PS8 and by that time you will probably know how to program most things you might want to. Good luck!

Answer 9

Thank you for the advise, I plan on just that, slow and easy, and one step at a time.

Answer 10

Learning math is always a good idea, even if you don't use it directly. Any complicated calculations requires at least a basic understanding of the math behind it in order to program it.
That is not to say that you can't learn to code without learning math, but you will find it very difficult to be anything but a very mediocre programmer without strong math and logic skills.

Answer 11

Absolutely, I understood that when I started the OCW it will take me a lot longer to figure out the psets than the other people in the course. ; ) but I am very curious about programing.

Answer 12

I think there's a steep learning curve with PS1. Once you get that one done, you'll find PS2 through 4 will go pretty quickly. It's not really the math. IMO it's learning how programming works.

Answer 13

That seams to be my trouble is how to structure works and wich comparisons to use, if, while , iteration... And how to formulate the equation to put it into code..

Answer 14

I've never had any 'official' programming experience, but I've programmed simple programs for my TI-83 graphing calculators since middle school, so I guess I'm used to the structure and logic?

Writing it out beforehand really, really helps. It forces you to break it into simple steps. Most programming problems, imho, are simply expanded and applied math problems. Once you learn to be a good programmer, you should find that your math skills and way of attacking problems will have really gotten a lot better as well.