Why do you need to learn calculus to be a computer programmer?

Question

Why do you need to learn calculus to be a computer programmer?
I mean, like, what's the point of learning derivatives of trigonometric functions if you're going to be working on a computer all day anyway, and it can just tell you how to get it?

It's programming for god sakes, not a mathematics degree, when are we ever going to be in a a position that requires us to actually know how to get something like that by hand?

Answer 1

Im in a computer science honours course in university right now, and I fully agree with this question.

I can understand where LOGIC and PROBLEM SOLVING fit into computer programming, but you definitely don't need to KNOW how to do advanced calculus.



Sure, your program can't look up how to do something, but YOU can, and YOU are the one writing the program. Basic math is essential, and I realise that, but when would you possibly need to know double derivatives, or trig identities?

Answer 2

As people are saying, you have to use calculus in programming. It does not sound like you understand what programming is...yes (as the first poster put it) you can look it up, but you have to write a program and tell it what to do. You think you can just type in 'if' statements with an 'else' clause that instructs your program to 'google it' or something? You need to be very specific in programming, and honestly if you are in the position where you have to look it up, you are not going to be able to understand it well enough to be able to code it.



"It's programming for god sakes, not a mathematics degree, " You need to calm down. This is elementary, grassroots level, easy mode math you are talking about. I really do not see what there is to complain about. Calculus really should be more "common sense" than it is nowadays. People think it is useless or something, but you never know how much you could be using it if you never learn it lol.



If you disagree, then I think you at least can agree with the fact that calculus teaches attention to detail and problem solving in a different way than your other courses. Pre-med students at many universities have to take calculus, too. I think this reason is one of the motivations for it.

Answer 3

I even have been a programmer for on the brink of 15 years. I took progressed math in college and have by no skill used extremely it. It truly relies upon on what form of programming your doing. in case you're going business enterprise apps you will be able to by no skill use any progressed math, yet on the different hand in case you're doing scientific application, engineering application, 3-d video games etc., then you definately will in all danger want extra math skills. Dan

Answer 4

Um....all of the time, that's when. I am a programmer, and when you write code you are actually creating the formula and such that the program will be using. Sure, YOU can look up how to do the math if you need to, but your PROGRAM cannot just lookup how to do certain problems and such. You need to tell the program how to do this. Which means you need to know how to do it yourself.



You cannot create the complex algorithms necessary for advanced programming if you don't understand calculus.