7 replies to this topic

[Nessa]

hello guys well Im about to start the computer science career with a strongly game development oriented curriculum so here is my question I dont think that I will need to know too much geometry right? I think that I will need more geometric analyzis and stuff in the cartesian plane right? well btw Im studying for the admision exam so I want to priorize what I really need like physical and maths (non geomtry related) some advice please

[Ashaman73]

Math is always strong in CS, but not really necessary for most 'standard' jobs. But computer games, often in 3d, are frequently confronted with linear algebra(3d rendering, AI, phyiscs etc.).

In my opinion this is the most important math branch in game development , and compared to other branches (i.e. analysis), simpler.

[Emergent]

I'll second Ashaman on linear algebra. There's a quote to the effect of, "If you can't reduce it to a linear algebra problem, you're doing it wrong."

Also, you're thinking about this wrong. You don't just "get a job" and then stagnate. You need to constant be learning. So what do you want to learn? Math, unlike the language or framework du jour, lasts.

[Emergent]

Emergent, on 03 February 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:

You need to constantly be learning.

Sorry, somehow my fingers skipped right over the two little letters needed to demonstrate a basic grasp of adverbs... (Where'd the EDIT button go?)

[alvaro]

One of my bosses at work told her daughter that he will only pay for her college on the condition that she take at least Linear Algebra and Statistics. I think I agree with him: Those two courses are so important that you should take them regardless of what you want to do with your life.

[Promit]

One of the things I regret now is not learning much, much more math in college. Mind you, I went through calculus 3, linear algebra, statistics, etc. It was not enough. I cannot speak to other fields, but if you're in games or graphics, you almost CANNOT spend too much time on math.

[Zoner]

Geometric Algebra is worth learning too, though games will tend to stay with Linear Algebra for the foreseeable future.

[clb]

Having interviewed a lot of people for work, the ones with the "err. but do I really have to?" and/or "sorry no way I'm doing that, because that's not my forte" attitude always rank the lowest on my list.

Best developers are the ones that are interested in anything and everything. They are motivated by the challenges they are tasked with, instead of just seeing them as problems or trouble.