Where to begin, 3D Math Primer?
Hi
I''ve been starting a journey into OpenGL recently and found a huge requirement for math. (I knew 3D Programming required heavy math, so I came prepared)
I ordered the book "3D Math Primer for Games Development" and was wondering if I would be able to follow this book from beginning to end. Im doing Higher Tier GCSE Mathematics in school, and would like to know if GCSE Maths would provide me with enough grounding to get started in this book...
The book comes Monday (I think, never know with amazon) and I''ve had my OpenGL material for a few days now.
I don''t feel ready to progress until I know exactly what Quartinions are
Thanks for the help
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Do you happen to know how Higher Tier GCSE Mathematics maps into United States schooling? For example, is it high school algebra, geometry, or calculus level? Or university?
I think its possible that you might be able to understand that book well enough. It kind of depends on whether you''ve taken any geometry in school. And, especially if you''ve studied trigonometry, that will be MOST helpful indeed. If you''ve only taken algebra, you''ll have a hard time. And if you struggle with math in general, you''ll probably have a hard time. But even that doesn''t mean you won''t be able to follow the material.
Graham Rhodes
Senior Scientist
Applied Research Associates, Inc.
I think its possible that you might be able to understand that book well enough. It kind of depends on whether you''ve taken any geometry in school. And, especially if you''ve studied trigonometry, that will be MOST helpful indeed. If you''ve only taken algebra, you''ll have a hard time. And if you struggle with math in general, you''ll probably have a hard time. But even that doesn''t mean you won''t be able to follow the material.
Graham Rhodes
Senior Scientist
Applied Research Associates, Inc.
Higher Tier GCSE Maths in britain covers: Trigonometry (Sin Tan Cos etc.), Quadratic Equations, Pyhthagoras Thereom, Algebra (Linear and non-linear), and other such topics from simplistic to fairly advanced. It doesn''t cover Calculus one bit, thats why I''m going to take Maths as a subject in my Advanced Levels.
Im guessing now, but I think that might fit in somewhere around the middle of the american high school system, but I really don''t know anything about that.
Thanks for the help and replies,
Adam
PS You take the GCSEs at Age 14 - 16, just to give an idea of where abouts on the educational system I am
Im guessing now, but I think that might fit in somewhere around the middle of the american high school system, but I really don''t know anything about that.
Thanks for the help and replies,
Adam
PS You take the GCSEs at Age 14 - 16, just to give an idea of where abouts on the educational system I am
Just to provide some insight from someone who went through GCSE not all that long ago.
GCSE maths will not be sufficient for you to understand the math in the first sitting, but if you''re reasonably smart and motivated you should be able to understand it no problem. The biggest holes will be linear algebra (unless they''ve significantly changed the syllabus in the last 9 years - damn, I didn''t realize it was so long so maybe they have...) and basic calculus (visit your local uni library, they are a great resource!). You won''t achieve the sophistication for quaternions at A-Level either, so you''ll need to study on your own for that, but it''s not that much of a leap after the rest of the math needed for 3D graphics .
Fight your way in to your local uni library if you have one, they will have some great math intro books. Even some of the regular city libraries have reasonable collections if you''re lucky :/
GCSE maths will not be sufficient for you to understand the math in the first sitting, but if you''re reasonably smart and motivated you should be able to understand it no problem. The biggest holes will be linear algebra (unless they''ve significantly changed the syllabus in the last 9 years - damn, I didn''t realize it was so long so maybe they have...) and basic calculus (visit your local uni library, they are a great resource!). You won''t achieve the sophistication for quaternions at A-Level either, so you''ll need to study on your own for that, but it''s not that much of a leap after the rest of the math needed for 3D graphics .
Fight your way in to your local uni library if you have one, they will have some great math intro books. Even some of the regular city libraries have reasonable collections if you''re lucky :/
Yeah, GCSE maths is a bit shit really ( well, it was when I did it, a number of years ago now ). Personally, you''ll need a decent A level maths ( with preferably further maths too ), so a P1-P6 and M1-M3 sort of level, to understand most of what goes on. Unfortunately matrices, determinates and so forth are not discussed until P6 ( well, it was when I was doing my A levels, but the syllabus tends to change rather alot ), though, all the calculus in P1-5 will be really helpful. So, yeah, you''ll really need A level maths at least under you belt to properly understand what goes on, and to implement something decent.
Anyway, my 2 pence...
You have to remember that you''re unique, just like everybody else.
Anyway, my 2 pence...
You have to remember that you''re unique, just like everybody else.
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot...
<plug>
Vectors and Matrices : A Primer
</plug>
You have to remember that you're unique, just like everybody else.
[edited by - python_regious on October 11, 2003 10:13:02 AM]
<plug>
Vectors and Matrices : A Primer
</plug>
You have to remember that you're unique, just like everybody else.
[edited by - python_regious on October 11, 2003 10:13:02 AM]
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