what sort of math is required for algorithms (computer science)?

Question

anonymous · Answer

not much....you are limited to what you know. My school has an intro class in C++ and requires no knowledge of math.

phi · Answer

as in course requirements?  ask your advisor.

anonymous · Answer

But I can see that people with more knowledge of math can do a lot more.

anonymous · Answer

"discrete algorithms" is a course sometimes offered in graduate programs.

agreene · Answer

Generally, algorithms consist of algebra, geometry and calculus. That is, those branches of mathematics are utilized. Most people would consider the study of algorithms to be within the applied mathematics fields of computer mathematics, scientific computing, and discrete mathematics.

anonymous · Answer

@romero - programming is not the same as algorithms. While basic math background does wonders to learn programming, to master "algorithms", you must at least have done calculus.

agreene · Answer

@GT I disagree, you can do simple algorithms, and even create them with only basic understanding of Algebra, or Geometry. The Sieve of Eratosthenes to determine primes for instance. Or some of the basic ways of solving Eulerian Path problems.

anonymous · Answer

I said "master" algorithms. :)

agreene · Answer

well, i disagree that you have have done at least calculus. programming is indeed much different.

agreene · Answer

Well, touche sir! But, in that case, I would argue that you need to know much more than that to "master" them. You would need some expertise in topological spaces and fractional dimensions to create some of the most widely used algorithms... but meh. to each their own.

anonymous · Answer

My friend is a sophomore in college and his already doing research on algorithms. I think the highest level of math he has so far is diff eq

anonymous · Answer

I said "must at least have done calculus". At least is in there, right?

agreene · Answer

lol GT I need to learn to read more carefully, eh? I havent had my coffee yet so im a bit sluggish it seems.

@Romero I wish your friend the best of luck, they can be annoying little buggers. I did Computational Biophysics Research as an undergrad... and had a few run ins with some annoying algorithms.