Go into Java without knowing Pre-Calc?

[Gomi]

Hello. I'm new, so yea.

I'm really interested in majoring in computer science, and want to take a Java AP class in high school. Although when I signed up for it, my counselor said its really hard if you don't know pre-calculus. I am currently in Algebra 2, going to Alg2/Trig honors next year. I have a strong understanding in Algebra honestly, I don't even need to study to get a 90-100 on a test.

Is pre-calculus really that important when doing Java? I know you need to use it, but would it really be that difficult without the basic knowledge of pre-calculus?

Please send feedback, I have to make a decision by tomorrow morning.
(And while I'm here, is it rewarding or entertaining in any way to you?)

[jim829]

Is pre-calculus really that important when doing Java?

In my opinon, not at all. You would probably need expertise in advanced math or physics if you wanted to write programs for those fields. But to just learn how to
program in Java does not require calculus. In fact, I would tend to think numerical analysis or trigonometry would be more important. But those aren't really necessary either. It all depends on where you want to apply your skill.

BTW, I took engineering calculus to get my computer science degree. I never used it until I took an electrical engineering course as an elective.

Regards,
Jim

[JosAH]

Calculus can come in handy if you're into ballistics; those folks integrate and take derivatives of functions every day; much more applicable is discrete mathematics; it's the corner stone of computer science and I wish a lot more people had studied it; there would've been a lot less stupid code in the world ;-)

kind regards,

Jos

[Tolls]

Calculus can come in handy if you're into ballistics; those folks integrate and take derivatives of functions every day; much more applicable is discrete mathematics; it's the corner stone of computer science and I wish a lot more people had studied it; there would've been a lot less stupid code in the world ;-)

kind regards,

Jos

OI!
My code resembles that remark!

:p

[gimbal2]

I wonder where Tolls is. Haven't seen the guy in a while.

[JosAH]

OI!
My code resembles that remark!

:p

Duh, my code is so stupid that it makes my compiler explode in delight and wipes my JRE from my hard disk in shame; so there ;-)

kind regards,

Jos