>When I told my teachers that I wanted to be a programmer
>they were baffled. They tried to discourage me by pointing
>out a poor grade in math.
The problem is that teachers generally live in the 50's when it comes to IT. At the same time, they know something about many careers, but not enough to actually know what a programmer really does.
>I tried to explain that most of the programming techniques
>involved simple algebra.
A poor grade in math doesn't mean that you can't learn math.
I have found that with proper motivation(the 'hmmm ... How do I make this work!?' kind of motivation), I have been able to learn even very complex math subjects. If you need it enough, you'll learn!
>One could argue that simulations take higher level math.
And one would be right.
>I just make 2d games and feel that I have most of the math
>I need.
Never rule out that you might learn something.
>1. How good do you feel you need to be in math to be a
>fairly comptent programmer?
In generic languages like C etc. you should be fairly proficient.
>2. How do you feel about your math skills?
They're poor, but I either learn what I need, or emulate the result to the point of not needing to learn the hard stuff.
Andy
>they were baffled. They tried to discourage me by pointing
>out a poor grade in math.
The problem is that teachers generally live in the 50's when it comes to IT. At the same time, they know something about many careers, but not enough to actually know what a programmer really does.
>I tried to explain that most of the programming techniques
>involved simple algebra.
A poor grade in math doesn't mean that you can't learn math.
I have found that with proper motivation(the 'hmmm ... How do I make this work!?' kind of motivation), I have been able to learn even very complex math subjects. If you need it enough, you'll learn!
>One could argue that simulations take higher level math.
And one would be right.
>I just make 2d games and feel that I have most of the math
>I need.
Never rule out that you might learn something.
>1. How good do you feel you need to be in math to be a
>fairly comptent programmer?
In generic languages like C etc. you should be fairly proficient.
>2. How do you feel about your math skills?
They're poor, but I either learn what I need, or emulate the result to the point of not needing to learn the hard stuff.
Andy