Real-Life Math
How important are math skills for computer engineers? Here's what
Wayne Loucks, a professor of computer engineering, says:
"The traditional
answer to that question is that to do well in engineering of any kind, you
need to have a strong mathematics and science background, and this is true
to some extent."
You need to be good at math to do well at university,
explains Loucks. Once you're a practicing engineer, you might not do a lot
of mathematical work. But you still need the math background to understand
a lot of the concepts you will deal with in your work.
"Therefore,
if you're not a high performer in math, you could end up in trouble trying
to understand the concepts," says Loucks.
Computer engineering is
all about applying math to solve problems. Make sure you don't skip those
elective courses in high school, such as algebra, geometry and calculus. They
can help you develop your problem-solving skills.
You are a computer
engineer. You are working on a difficult project. In order to get the computer
to work, you remember an exercise that forces you to think differently.
Draw
a square. Now, divide that square into four equal parts. Now divide that same
square in eight equal parts. A cinch, you think. Next is the part that separates
engineers from others. Draw another square and divide it into seven equal
parts.