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How is math used in computer science?

Maths used in Computer Science is generally related to only a limited set of topics. But as they say, generalizations are always bad, I will break the analysis into 2 crucial and specific areas of Computer Science.



Algorithm Design and Analysis: This area has it's whole base as Mathematics. Algorithms can be used anywhere, in any field to solve the most complex problems and so you will see use of different areas of Mathematics starting from basic algebra to calculus, from induction to Fourier transforms and from trigonometry to advanced geometry, to solve these problems. The area is vast enough to be explored and majority of Maths used in Computer Science is confined to it.




Programming/Coding: Maths used here is limited. Basically, when you are done with Algorithm Design (if it was even required at first), you are left with nothing but to transform the algorithmic logic into programming logic which requires next to none use of Maths. For most of the computer scientists, design of algorithms is very limited prior to coding things up. This can be because of trivial nature of work or because of the principle of reusing the code/ideas/algorithms. And so the use of Mathematics is limited to them, in both possible dimensions.




Now coming back to actual question, you don't really need to dig into Mathematics (considering you are not Maths enthusiast and don't plan to take Maths for further studies) but don't take it lightly on the other hand. You never know what you might gain with an extra piece of knowledge in an area which is linked to almost everything around, not just Computer Science.

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