How much mathematical understanding is necessary for engineering studies?
Since I'll soon be studying computer engineering, I'd like to know how much understanding of formulas in math, electrical engineering, physics, etc. is necessary. What exactly is understanding in math? Learning to memorize formulas? Understanding what the formula says, where it's used, and what the individual variables mean? Understanding how to derive them?
From school, you know it like this: You learn a formula by heart, do exercises, and that's it. -> basically just learning by heart
Derivations and why the formula is the way it is were rarely covered. I had to study derivations privately, which takes noticeably more time than learning the formula through practice exercises and applying it consistently. Understanding why the formula is used and what the individual variables mean was easy for me. The derivations were more difficult, and I never needed them (example: derivation of the rules of derivation – never needed them).
What about an engineering degree? Does the engineer have to understand exactly why the formula is the way it is and be able to derive it? Or is a "simple"/intermediate understanding (when to use it, what the formula calculates, what the variables mean) and the ability to apply the formulas sufficient?
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Yes is very mathelastic. As you suggest, you not only have to know formulas by heart, but also understand them. In the deepening areas will be easier but as in general you must be fast because it will be a lot.
In general, something has to understand the situation and develop a solution from it. If you are. B has a complex static system (mechanics see picture) then it would have to where the deformations are, how the forces proceed, what are there for forces. To calculate a complex static system of formulas can take one or another hour and you are mainly studying for understanding
Small note: You don’t usually have to learn a formula by heart. This can be checked in the formula collection. Man must combine the right formulas, convert them correctly and then ultimately calculate what you need. Learning by heart does not help. You have to understand what you expect.
And now comes the stupid question: what do you mean?
Knowing the derivation of the formulae or “only” know that I must use this resistance formula in xy circuit at and at the location. Or something like “Ah, here I must use the formula and the formula to calculate that, but the origin/the derivation is totally murks. Mainly, I know what formula I need to use.”
You’re right and for exams what to do costs time and you have little to do in the exams. My also the more you can memorize the better
This is true for mathematics, but not in subjects where mathematics must be applied. Of course, numbers have to be counted here or numbers have to be used in the formulas put together. Many problems can also not be solved algebraically or in a closed manner, iterative methods are used here. Etc.
To tell you more clearly, all your mathematics of the Abitur in Analysis and lin./analy. Geometry is within max. 2 months have been taken, with a lot of depth being immersed in matter.
And in no case exist in testing on programmable calculators or CAS, otherwise the tasks are simply much heavier, everything is experienced…
Thanks for the answer! I have learned that in my studies there is a lot about “Variable Calculation without Numbers” (there is a technical term that I just don’t like). Is that right? There the potency, root, logarithm laws etc. are very helpful. I don’t think that’s hard. I understand that my toolbox from Abi is still very small and I am studying even more laws or regulations. “Tools” will learn to understand. Right?
It’s not easy to explain. You stand in front of a practical task and realize that you have three unknowns. For each unknown you have your own basic formula or better a natural law. You need to change the formulas and put them together until you can finally calculate the value that is actually searched with the given parameters.
We were only allowed to use a hand-shifted formula composition in Mathe. If you had written the right formulas, you don’t have to look great.
It depends on the exact study and the focus of this course. Continue where you study, whether university or university.
Although mathematics isn’t really easy, you don’t have to be afraid, you get taught the content, and you have to do a lot yourself to understand it. ( Learning with bulimia has no chance.)
Engineers will not, of course, lead for every mathematical thing – mathematicians or also make part physicist-exact, because the mathematics of the engineer is an aid for the field and not the purpose.
Technical computer science courses known to me include electrical engineering and physics, and as in virtually all mathematics for computer scientists 1 to 4, with the subjects theoretical computer science, predictability, etc. Partly have a very strong relation to special mathematics in their field.
Last but not least, I would like to tell you that a good three in the Abitur is still sufficient to keep up, but then no longer can go to the disco in the evening, because you have to work a lot.
Hi, thanks for your answer. I will soon study “Informatik Informationstechnik” at a dual university (DHBW). From the level, apparently similar to a FH. In addition to math, content is also “basic knowledge” physics and electrical engineering.
I own diligence. Time but not due to the study model. That is why I should like to know in advance how I am learning (learning or not; learning only application, etc.)
The only thing I can recommend is a bridge course mathematics physics if it offers your university; These courses are quite useful to see what you need or what the lecturers have to offer. You can’t really prepare yourself out of your hip.
A very good idea! The term “Brückenkurs” (Extra fat marked for the following answer seekers) I did not know yet. There are even online bridge courses, which were offered free of charge by the University/FHs. I’m gonna go through this!
I say it like this: we had in engineering studies engineering mathematics I, II & III together with computer scientists. The computer scientists also had several semesters of algebra and analysis. I don’t know what they did, but the Matheprof just ran out, “the engineers must be happy if they can calculate a circle.” He probably wanted to say that the computer scientists had to make much more blatant math shit.
By the way, the professor started the first engineering mathematics lectures with the phrase: “They can forget everything they have learned about mathematics until the abitur, which was all wrong anyway. We are now doing real mathematics.”
And mathematics is just one. It’s just a basic knowledge. In subjects such as technical mechanics, flow teaching, thermodynamics or electrical engineering (depending on the subject of study), you have to expect to be really sensible.
A task (in accordance with our flow theory) In the North Sea there is an oil tanker on the ground, on board are 100,000t crude oil. The tanker’s 20m high. What power (in kWh) does the pump have to pump the tanker empty in a week?
How does the schoolmathe differ from the studymathe?
I have placed a great deal of emphasis on being able to derive, redirect, vector, etc. Grade in physics I thought will not change much. Is it built up at all in your studies or how does it work?
Can I look at the study athlete beforehand to learn?
Let’s say this integral calculation and differential calculations are the initial loop that is assumed to be the basic knowledge in the Mahte Lecture. From then on, it goes on to the depths.
Any engineering mathematics script should be easily found via Google. There are books on this at Amazon.
One of the popular standard sayings for beginners🤣, followed by the term: how you know (of course from school), that is trivial, easy, looking at home once is no problem, an average gifted student can derive/calculate that without any problems,…
🤣😂😁