• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Hey, Math Majors

Fire-Starter

Fire-Starter

Aug 11, 2002
2,221
150
MINNESOTA
#1
I have been out of math since College, I do and I am getting back into it, but here is my question....

1: Is this pointless? Real life situations usually don't call for you to use the Quadradic equation, slope formulas, etc..unless you have a field of study where you are using these on a consistant basis, and I have found if you don't use it, you pretty much loose it.

I do think that math itself is envolved in just about everthing we see around us and everthing we see around us can for the most part be explained with mathamatics. Just curious how many of you who have a Major or Master in Math, actually have any use for it? unless of course you are in a field of study that requires you to use it.
 
#2
My brother is a developer/account manager at a firm that develops risk analysis software for asset-backed securities traders. He has dual bachelor's degrees in finance and math, and a master's in financial engineering (=computational finance) from Berkeley; suffice it to say, he has some pretty advanced mathematical knowledge. He uses it on a fairly regular basis, as well.

One of the things about which he often complains is the incredible lack of mathematical knowledge demonstrated by money managers, hedge fund principals, and others of that ilk. He gets calls from them all the time because they screwed up some calculation that involves high school-level algebra or very basic calculus. These folks often have tens of billions of dollars under their care, and yet probably couldn't get even a 500 on the math portion of the SAT. Pitiful.
 
#3
Fire-Starter said:
I have been out of math since College, I do and I am getting back into it, but here is my question....

1: Is this pointless? Real life situations usually don't call for you to use the Quadradic equation, slope formulas, etc..unless you have a field of study where you are using these on a consistant basis, and I have found if you don't use it, you pretty much loose it.

I do think that math itself is envolved in just about everthing we see around us and everthing we see around us can for the most part be explained with mathamatics. Just curious how many of you who have a Major or Master in Math, actually have any use for it? unless of course you are in a field of study that requires you to use it.
Click to expand...

It might be pointless. What do you intend to use math for?
 
#4
I'm going for my physics degree. Not math, but I still use a whole lot of it.

I talked to a guy who was a math professor at some Cali school (forgot which one, but one of the bigger ones). He said you can get a job as an engineer and a lot of finance stuff with a math degree.

Once you have the math down, the rest isn't too hard, really.
 
#5
Ericman197 said:
It might be pointless. What do you intend to use math for?
Click to expand...

What really got me going was my daughter is in school the pace they are learning this stuff is amazing, but I want to be able to help her with her homework when she has to start doing this stuff, plus, I like it, but in a way, its kind of like having a love for the knowledge of how to play the bass, but not really doing it..i.e Theory..I cant tell you how much I used to love Theory, as boring as it is sometime, but than you get out and start playing with local guys, and no one knows anything about keys, progression, etc,,they just play, it kind of makes learning, mastering theory pointless if nobody is doing it but you, or your little world of what ever it is you are doing...maybe I am just bored:o
 
#6
If you're going to learn for the sake of learning, then there's not much use for it past like trigonometry. If it's fun for you, though, you should definately try it out. In the very least it will help you think abstractly and show you how beautiful the world is (providing the example problems are cooked. ;)).
 
#7
Even if you won't use math on a regular basis, its still good to take math... especially higher level courses. Calculus based physics (imo) is fascinating and really gives you insight on how things really work. Its just amazing how everything math related you learned throughout school is tied into the real world.

Basically what i'm trying to say is that math (not including the basic stuff) is pretty much useless unless you are planning on taking calculus and tying it all together.
 
#10
I did a double major in Pure Math and Computer Science. To bo completely honest, I use very little of what I learned in university for my job as a software engineer. The most useful math classes I took were in probability and statistics. They're everywhere: The evening news, investing, gambling, and even computer programming. Most high school math is very useful, especially algebra.

The biggest benefit of studying math (IMO) is training yourself to think in a rational manner. Being able to quickly understand a new concept, think about it, and understand its ins and outs is a very useful skill no matter what field you are in. Applying that concept in new ways is also very valuable. Math teaches a lot of this; You're given a few tools (pythagorean theorem, rules for solving equations, etc) and are required to apply those tools to solve problems in a variety of ways.

Trestles
 
#11
Trestles said:
I did a double major in Pure Math and Computer Science. To bo completely honest, I use very little of what I learned in university for my job as a software engineer. The most useful math classes I took were in probability and statistics. They're everywhere: The evening news, investing, gambling, and even computer programming. Most high school math is very useful, especially algebra.
Click to expand...

Oh definately. Stay away from the poker and roulette tables and go to the craps tables if you want to win. ;)
 
#12
I have a B.S. in math, but I've never needed any advanced mathematics in any job I've had. I still think it is a very valid field of study and I think more people should take more math than what I perceive to be occurring now. If it taught as a puzzle solving process rather than a formula memorization process, I think more people would enjoy it as well.
 
#13
I've taken some advanced math in the course of my engineering studies. I work for a surveying and mapping company, and although I don't use much calculus in my everyday job, it is useful in understanding the ins and outs of our GPS equipment and software. In this business algerba and trig are a must.
 
#14
I have a B.S. in Mathematics, and taught Geometry, Trig, Algebra, and Gen Math for a few years. Now I am an insurance agent, and for the most part use math every day. Mostly lower level stuff like arithmetic, algebra and geometry. I do think that the analytical skills I learned in my advanced courses has helped me understand so much more about my industry, running a business, and things that happen in the world. I believe I am a much better and logical thinker because of my math education.
 
#16
yes, studying math is good. Besides learning math (which may or may not end up being very useful) you learn creative and analytical thinking skills (which will definitely end up being very useful). Most of higher math goes something like this:
1. definition of an abstract object
2. proof shown to you that said object has certain properties
3. You do proof that said object has certain other properties, using numerous examples of 1 & 2.
So, this is all about making connections and seeing patterns (that really do exist), which is a highly sought after cognitive skill.

When you do an actual proof, you'll know if you've got it right or not. There is no fudge. Also, it is typically not clear how to proceed, and you may have to try several approaches until you find one that works. This forces you to think through things in a complete and rigorous manner, very valuable in later life and lacking in many of the colleagues you will encounter (and surpass).

I got a math degree without realizing any of the career implications. I just liked math. But I have had a great career as a result.

Several of the math classes I took, I have never used the actual subject matter again. Some of the classes, the actual subject matter comes up again and again. But all of them were useful in forming my ability to read through what other people have done and think about how to do better.
 
#17
FunkSlap89 said:
Even if you won't use math on a regular basis, its still good to take math... especially higher level courses. Calculus based physics (imo) is fascinating and really gives you insight on how things really work. Its just amazing how everything math related you learned throughout school is tied into the real world.

Basically what i'm trying to say is that math (not including the basic stuff) is pretty much useless unless you are planning on taking calculus and tying it all together.
Click to expand...


i must have a really screwed up perspective to think what you described as "high level" is the easy stuff. then again, in the mathematicians' vernacular, there is a real use for the term "high math."

anyway, i like physics because i learn about reality. i like math because i learn how to think.

that said, i'll still have to use abstract algebra and all that once i get a job. hell, i still have a ton of math to learn! :eek:

(the good thing about physics is that you learn the math as you need it. makes everything a bit more palatable.)
 
#20
Brad Barker said:
i must have a really screwed up perspective to think what you described as "high level" is the easy stuff.

anyway, i like physics because i learn about reality. i like math because i learn how to think.
Click to expand...
+1
You are not alone.
Closet math lover here(electrical engineering degree).

Brad Barker said:
(the good thing about physics is that you learn the math as you need it. makes everything a bit more palatable.)
Click to expand...
+100!!!
REALLY true if you take engineering and have a Calculus prof who cuts thru the BS(stuff you'll NEVER need).

Working in the project/design & construct side of petrochem work(instrumentation, control systems, etc.), math gets used a LOT. The PHYSICS & thermo help a lot of things "make sense" and give even an EE a sixth sense of "gee, that can't be right" when things in civil designs seem wrong(and end up being wrong)....or a process engineer gives you process data that is PHYSICally impossible...:D

Math rocks!!!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back