Question

I am having a very hard time following this course. I don't always understand many of the mathematical concepts applied in the lectures and am getting really discouraged as I am watching them. Is a person like me who does not yet have a full high-school educations worth of math skills going to be able to complete a course such as this? I am very very interested in learning computer science and how to program but am rather under-qualified, despite what the syllabus says.

Answer 1

Don't worry about it, I'm secondary 4 going on 5 and it was hard at the beginning for me too. But whatever happens don't give up because it's hard. By the time I got to the 4th lecture I understood the basic concept of Python and if I had any trouble with the math I just looked it up on Wikipedia or something.
What lecture are you on and what are you having trouble with? maybe I or someone else can help you understand.

Answer 2

Well Keep Working @Spitfire96 you are talented enough to make it out and I am sure you'll do it !

Answer 3

Thanks @Jeet.in I really appreciate it. @SmithcS you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it. It may sound corny and it may be cliché but it's true in this case.

Answer 4

Thanks for the encouragement @Spitfire96 and @Jeet.in, and in particular I was having a hard time applying the concepts into the problem sets. Do you recommend that I look at solutions if I become stuck? I feel like I am cheating myself if I look at the answer before finding it out myself.

Answer 5

@SmithcS it can seem overwhelming for sure. Looking at the solutions should always be your last resort, however should also always be considered an option. The important thing (as your noting I think) is ubderstanding. I have found that comunnity Python, and th open source community in general, can be an immensely helpful resource to tap into. Keep pluggin away at it!

Answer 6

I totally agree with @snowman99 it should be your last resort but still an options. Here's another way of thinking about problem sets, its the equivalent to a situational problem ( or LES) in your math course. Take your time and make sure you understand the "formulas" if you will and how to manipulate them for the particular problem andyou'll do fine. I hope this helps.

Answer 7

It's better to see the solution then to be stuck ! i recommend that you try your level best and then put the question here. I or any other member will surely help you workout the problem. Keep up the good work !

Answer 8

it is a college level course at a university known for its strict admission requirements. It is also a course designed to introduce computer science topics to students of different technical majors. If you don't have high school level math knowledge, you will need to learn it on your own.

Answer 9

@bwCA I have no idea what the other courses look like but I can tell you that I have sec 4 math ( + whatever I look up when I'm bored ) knowledge and I'm having little to no difficulty with this course so far.

Answer 10

I think a firm grasp of algebra is sufficient. What's more important than higher math is fluidity, being able to manipulate formulas and apply concepts to different problems. Math skills definitely help, but I think it's more a way of thinking (that most people develop by doing math) that you need, and not necessarily the mathematical concepts themselves.

Answer 11

exactly

Answer 12

Higher math never hurt anyone though :P
@Spitfire96 What exactly is secondary 4? I'm from the American system so don't really know.

Answer 13

Well for computer engineers I recommend a thorough knowledge of discrete mathematics.

Answer 14

@Jeet.in yes obviously, but the reason why I'm doing this course is get a head start on my university schooling so it's all about making due with what I have and I'm sure that's what @SmithcS is doing to.
@seleneyue I'm from Canada more specifically Quebec so our system is back-retricewards and I'm not sure how the American system works but it's the 10th grade from the beginning of my schooling. Secondary 5 would be grade 11 and it's the last high school year, after that we have 2 years of college and then university. I hope that clarifies things.