How Much Math is REALLY in Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineering math can be intimidating to most students, and can be a part of how hard electrical engineering. In this video I break down the math I used in electrical engineering per each class, and show you what that math looks like and what to expect.
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#electricalengineering

[@mrguy7582]

i couldnt even pass high school math. I am now finishing a masters in EE and have a job. Don't ever give up

[@classicpanthur9649]

I currently started my engineering studies and also barely passed high school math. What helped you to learn the maths for EE?

[@mrguy7582]

@@classicpanthur9649 u are me Then. I failed highschool algrbra I had to learn in college. It was hard for me o failed a lot but graduating my masters in 4 weeks if God wills it. Biggest thing for EE is get comfy with calculus. Once I did that it’s like I unlocked a secret skill. Go to khan academy and learn the concepts, if you’re desperate then just try to memorise the steps for questions but if I can remember the concepts it makes it easier. Use chat gpt not to cheat but to help you solidify the concepts and write your labs and projects etc. make ChatGPT quiz you on stuff you aren’t sure of. Pick your classes strategically don’t pick all hard classes one sem spread it out. Make friends they are ur best asset man Also bro the biggest thing is that uni is now your life/full time job. You have to realise the pay off when your boys are out partying and you’re at home studying math at 3am it’s hard but your struggle is today and your freedmm is in 4-6 years. Their freedom is now and their struggle is in 4-6 years. Not to compare or spite them in just being real. I was a real big party guy but had to give up 90% of it. I could still have fun just not every single weekend

[@blindyoutubeuser]

@@classicpanthur9649there’s lots of resources online to learn so many different types of math. You may need to go to your math lab to get help on harder problems you get stuck on while self-teaching.

[@smilingzuko9613]

⁠@@classicpanthur9649 I know you are asking the op commenter but for me( I’m also currently studying EE) it was and still is A LOT of practice. Basically I learnt how to do math first and then try to understand it later when it becomes intuitive for me to solve problems.

[@classicpanthur9649]

@@smilingzuko9613 Thanks! Would it be a good idea for me to study my weak spots in maths? Such as the topics I'm not too great at?

[@JengaJay]

Time to develop a passion for math

[@alithedazzling]

lets go!

[@Intellectual_Wojak]

I did that. I hated math a lot, but wanted a engineering degree. Developed passion for it and today I’m a math major. Math is a mysterious enigma that models everything in our world.

[@007dog1]

Math is God's language. Used to create and predict the future!

[@Rudenbehr]

People forget that you don’t need to be born a math expert. It builds. It’s a multi year long process (2-3 years) that you just become more proficient at.

[@alithedazzling]

totally agree -- its a skill to develop :)

[@data9594]

@@alithedazzling do you recommend prepping for the math before going to college or just jumping in?

[@Alex-ns6hj]

@@data9594 I'm switching majors from business to electrical engineering. I fooled around most of my in high school so I got a lot of gaps in math lol. What I'm doing is reviewing things beforehand. I'm going to start with precalculus next semester and the math there should be easy as long as you know algebra 1 and 2 and some geometry. If you're not studying anything rn, definitely study math.

[@Mark-ls8ov]

@@Alex-ns6hj I can relate. I'm switching from finance to mechanical.

[@sweetdude1221]

@@Alex-ns6hjgood luck. I have an associates in mechanical engineering. Senior level in electrical engineering. I left the university with only 3 semesters left. Engineering is extremely stressful. Currently working at GM now, full hire. Going into apprenticeship as an electrician. Technically I could have them pay for my last 3 semesters. Although, I decided I want to master the skills of an electrician. Become an journeyman . Then latter I’m going to finish up my last 3 semesters of electrical engineering. Definitely do recommend electrical engineering. It’s a ton of fun, just don’t overwork your self. You got this!

[@KewiNeves]

I sucked at math but loved engineering, decided to grind it and am now I'm in my second year

[@diidac17]

Good job. Remember that in engineering and physics, Maths it is just ONE WAY to explain the fenomenons that happen. You can bring good at the math of one subject, but if you don't know the physical meaning of that, it is useless of you are a physician or engineer since we study/exploit physical events

[@BrianThomas]

bro.. I'm with you 100% Same here.

[@FiatLuxSayRelax]

Haha, honestly math wasn’t my favorite thing going into electrical engineering, nor the best by a long shot, but I managed to build a passion for it after a great amount dedication and study. Anways, very informative video, keep at it man. 👍

[@alithedazzling]

glad it worked out for you!! thanks haha

[@denm8991]

Im kinda surprised that in US you guys take only that amount of math in bachelor’s . We also took numerical analysis , partial differential equations, optimisation , optimal control and classical control and some special classes on mathematical modelling involving multivariate statistics as well as finite element methods

[@NA-xi5hj]

I feel like the more you understand math the more you like it. I am not anywhere near your level, but I know that urge you get to solve a math problem just because you know you can and how good it feels to second nature do a math problem to figure out some real world ish. I really want to succeed. I start college in August. Til then im doing pre-algebra, algebra, and algebra 2 on khan academy over the summer to prep. The furthest i ever got in high school was algebra 2 and I dropped out. I had other things I needed to focus on back then, but I'm ready now. Your videos are fun and interesting and they help as do the comments. Thanks

[@chyldstudios]

So, to summarize "how much math is really in EE?" ... A LOT

[@heyfitzpablum]

3 degrees in EE here (got my BSEE in 1976). How much math in EE? Lots. 2 classes (semester, not term) in Calculus, 1 class in Differential Equations, 1 class in Multi-Variable Calculus, 1 class in Linear Algebra, 1 class in Discrete Math, 1 class in Boolean Algebra, 1 class in Statistics. That's the standard pure math sequence. Obviously you use math in Physics (3 classes-Classical Physics, Electricity and Magnetism and Nuclear Theory/Quantum Mechanics). You'll also do a lot of programming-I took 4-5 programming languages getting my BSEE. Your Electrical Engineering classes, especially Transmission Line Theory, will use Fourier Transforms and the like. ALL Electrical Engineering classes will require some level of math, some more than others. When you get into MSEE program, the pure math classes will be minimal but by this time your brain will be pretty much attuned to thinking in terms of math concepts. Have fun!

[@donharrold1375]

90% of the useful mathematics that you will actually apply as a working engineer: Trigonometry, Linear Algebra, Statistics, and Numerical Methods. No one actual solves complex solutions using calculus; numerical methods are your best friend in that circumstance.

[@eddieortiz873]

all my high school i messed around.. after graduating i gained some life experiences, and came to a realization that i love math, but im not the best at it. im taking calc 1 rn, and im just now realizing what i signed up for. nonetheless im excited. cheers to all!

[@naufalhassan130]

it is crazy that i had to take differential equations, transformation, calculus 2&3, and dc circuit analisis at the same time in my second semester

[@NA-xi5hj]

😮 does everyone have to?

[@Mathtastiacbruu]

Thank you for the detailed overview.

[@BritishEngineer]

In the UK other than A levels / BTEC there’s a one year long level 3 course (level 4 is university / college level in america) where we cover things like calculus 2, graphing, boolean algebra, working with base 2 etc until we can design amplifiers / power supplies and logic circuits. Depending on the grades in this year, you may be able to study an engineering degree in a university or college.

[@DennisKing]

This was an enjoyable trip down memory lane. Thanks.

[@DarkCastleBoy]

Here's Engineering branches with high Maths or Calculus 1) Electrical Engineering 2) ECE 3) CSE 4) AI ML 5) Robotics Engineering 6) Aerospace Engineering 7) Mechanical Engineering 8) Chemical Engineering 9) Metallurgy Engineering 10) Civil Engineering

[@azzajohnson2123]

Something really humbling when you go from being a tech/engineer to being promoted to upper senior management, you realise that you had to acquire, know and think complexly and retain vast amounts of information when you are an engineer, then you get paid easily double for having a very simple mind and skillset.

[@alithedazzling]

Very true, but that must mean you are capable at working with people and managing a team of engineers -- that's still valuable!

[@musaratjahan7954]

This is why I never wanna get promoted past Senior or Lead Engineer. I might get paid more but when I don't enjoy the work (and I am bad at managerial roles that require communication) its not worth it IMO. I'd rather be stuck at a Lead engineer for decades working on really complex projects with massive technical background.

[@Just-screw-it]

DUDE , first your content is amazing, second i just realised that i study 2 years and a half of your subjects in a year 😂 may god save me . Side note im from Tunisia 😊

[@randallmcgrath9345]

This is why, with proper planning, many people are able to add a 2nd major in math on top of EE with only 1 extra semester. And this is probably true for mecheng and chemical as well. Depending.

[@NA-xi5hj]

Can you explain in more detail? I've not been to college, starting this fall, but I'm interested in how one would go about this?

[@randallmcgrath9345]

One reason it is possible​ is because math degrees have less required classes than engineering and engineering already covers alot of the same core courses you need for the math core, so for the math degree whats left for requirements are the math math classes. By "math math" I mean Real Analysis, Abstract algebra, chaotic dynamical systems(this ones an elective probably), discrete math(youll tehcbically learn alot of this in algorithms/discrete structures), and other classes where proofs are common. It even seems to be the case that abstract alegbra helps with chemistry too. It seems likely that plenty of Real and Complex analysis is useful in Signal and Image processing. Are you in the US? Because in the UK it is clear that Bachelors degrees dont have the same gen ed requirements as in the US, so things change there but in the US you will need to apply for the double major. But I dont know that doing a double major will lead to higher initial salaries, but if you were to do a PHD in EE, youll probably take math and physics courses not required by undergrad like Quantum Mechanics.@@NA-xi5hj

[@Winter_B12]

Well, I'm terrified

[@gamera7206]

i don't even have a foundation at math and im wondering if i can push through the absence of this foundation with a lot of studying or it would just be better to take a gap year to build that foundation.

[@alithedazzling]

build the foundation as you go

[@n9nedots]

Do you recommend, for those of us that haven’t been in school in a decade, to self study Calculus before we get back into it? And what would you say are the most important concepts?

[@alithedazzling]

You could watch a few youtube videos, but I wouldn't worry about it too much -- Make sure that once you're actually back in school that you have some free time set aside for doing many excercises, as thats the best way to get better in math subjects like calculus

[@almnr81S7]

Tried to study breadth electromagnetics. I Realized math first.😅

[@simanto7168]

Can you make a separate video on coding? Like which language is needed etc stuffs

[@alithedazzling]

yes I have one lined up

[@heyfitzpablum]

@@alithedazzling This should be a really interesting topic for me, I graduate way back in 1976 with my BSEE. We were doing BASIC and FORTAN back then with program entering via pip-tape and punch cards (LOL). When I got my MSEE in 1990 the main high level languages we used were PASCAL and ADA-and of course lots of Micro-code, Assembler and Chip-specific languages. My PhD work was mostly C variations at the high level. LOTS of evolutionary development!

[@micajahnordyke-fg6gt]

I’m in multivariable calculus. I have the hardest time imagining things in 3D Space

[@harmtheone]

Im finishing up my first year of electrical engineering in Norway and Im surprised by the subjects you had and when you had them. I have already had everything you said for the first 3 years except Applied Electromagnetics + we have done Embedded systems. You must go way more in depth on each subject I guess.

[@fortnitesweatkid]

What happens if you take Calc 1 and 2 and you took Low Voltage Electrical classes in high school?

[@colorx6030]

Hey, great channel btw. You've really made me deeply interested in EE because of your videos. Thanks for that. I just wanted to ask one thing though, will infinite series be used somewhere in higher EE classes? I'm currently taking Calculus and while I do get where the derivatives and the integrals would be used, I can't really see where and how the infinite series will be used.

[@alithedazzling]

the infinite series should help give you a good foundation of understanding things related to approximations, or harmonic analysis -- you will take signals and systems and learn the fourier series which is the foundation of signal processing

[@colorx6030]

@@alithedazzling ohh, so it will be used. That's exciting. Thanks!

[@adonaymicheal4488]

I don’t like calculus and it’s hard to understand it but I want to study electrical engineering.

[@MayaOr]

Hello Ali! Your videos are really helpful, thank you for that! As long as the math is more applied and learned as techniques or tools for the rest of the studies, I'm fine with that. What worries me is the amount of "pure" mathematics which I find very hard. I mean the really proof-based math and getting to the root of every move and technique you are used to employ in math. How much should I really be worried? Especially in Calc, if it's applied it's ok, but if it more proof-based analysis then spending a semester in hell itself would be a relief.

[@alithedazzling]

Hi Maya! It will depend entirely on your professors. But anything theoratical will come from math department and not engineering. All engineering math should be application focused, but in your first year you will have to take few math classes which may not be 100% practical but are still needed. It's a small price you have to pay haha but do not let it discourage you! You may not have to do any proofs at all

[@MayaOr]

@@alithedazzling Well thank you, it's semi-comforting. If it's anything close to that 100% practical than I'll take the blow. The goal is much more important!

[@alithedazzling]

@@MayaOr Absolutely. Nothing will be fully perfect. Some bullets to bite along the way. I am guessing youre in high school about to enroll in college and thinking about EE?

[@MayaOr]

@@alithedazzling Actually I took some years off after high school since I couldn't afford college at that time. Now I absolutely able to, and thinking about going back to school towards an EE degree. I always liked Physics, and especially Electromagnetic theory and EE is like applied Electromagnetism. I also heard that there is less ageism in EE and Engineering careers in total than Computer Science, but I guess it shouldn't worry me that much as I'm still in my 20's haha.

[@alithedazzling]

@@MayaOr "ageism" "im in my 20s" -- you make it sound like you're 65 hahaha don't worry at all, that wont be an issue. If anything people will probably more friendly to you and more willing to help since you have more life experience. You could get more direct help from TAs and professors as well. I'd say most important thing is pick something you are actually interested in and curious about and everything else will be okay

[@FosterNyambu-w3i]

Heloo Alii ....your videos have really built a strong foundational passion for EE,however am i was not good in maths in high-school but very good in physics....am sure of my potential but worried of the connection of high-school maths and applied maths in EE...please Help

[@alithedazzling]

You can do it

[@skypowergb3842]

im on last year of software enginering bachelors now question is should i go back to beginning into EE since ee interests me however im not a math person i never was practicing math (i just practiced (if i even did ) to the point to just barely pass exams and nothing more )

[@f1xzor]

1:57 That's what I study now at home, about DC current, and DC circuits haha. That's pretty straight forward. Awesome video Ali! Keep up like this! ❤❤

[@alithedazzling]

Thank you David , happy to hear you're making progress on your DC circuits haha

[@f1xzor]

@@alithedazzling thanks Ali! But it starts to be boring, need to start with more intensive math for it to be curious and interesting, and to be more challenging for me. I=V/R is too simple for me hahaha

[@alithedazzling]

@@f1xzor oh wait till your microelectronics studies, it will get more intense haha

[@salsspar2132]

Kinda of a phew i did well i. Calc 1,2,3 and so far good in differential equations. Im currently at a community college though and i do wonder if its easier then university. I mean the book we are using is zill for DE. I wonder if that be enough knowledge to continue forward.

[@motila361]

Would you please make a video about note taking as an engineering student

[@alithedazzling]

I just used a normal pen and notebook

[@McFlashh]

How is chemistry a maths ‘class’?

[@Mohammad-bg1xc]

Thank you

[@imdadkhz4577]

Bro I am very depressed because of my maths.

[@alithedazzling]

can you reach out to professor or ta for help?

[@crisgetcrucified6972]

8:04 Linear Algebra!?!? Damn, I'm going to struggle so bad

[@ro.zyipitoe5226]

linear algebra seemed pretty easy for me i sucked at math back then and i still got an a

[@mangomanlassi7779]

Is complex numbers used heavily in EE?

[@alithedazzling]

Yes, absolutely

[@heyfitzpablum]

Yes, especially transmission line theory and wave propagation.

[@georgejetson4378]

Should include a remedial course in spelling

[@Vuden13]

Good thing that math loves ME!

[@alithedazzling]

haha good place to be

[@katon2459]

I have been having this question for so long - Is it necessary to be able to do all the math problems like when you're learning math? Or is it enough to understand the concept and know how to use it for practical engineering purposes?

[@alithedazzling]

undestand concept and do as many practice problems as you can

[@prashantteelucksingh2964]

Oh boy, I am going to start my degree next week 💀. Hopefully I understand all this in my future class cause I barley understand this

[@RLleeo]

Dude how's all going??

[@prashantteelucksingh2964]

@@RLleeo erm not to well, for exams that is. Assignments are easy

[@samfaabru5471]

I passed my electrical engineering without knowing maths 😂

[@RoflJoker1994]

Stop lying boy !

[@karanjit10]

R u serious ?

[@samfaabru5471]

@@karanjit10 almost yes But yes i know maths till 10th very well And in 12th, biology was my main and i did not study enough maths But i cleared JEE not NEET 🤣 Later i got NIT all of a sudden You can say Im aimless in life , just going with the flow I didnot get any proper guidance during those days

[@robertjr8205]

Probably electrician. Not electrical engineering

[@samfaabru5471]

@@robertjr8205 no im a beggar , dont worry

[@Mohammad-bg1xc]

What about control and instrumentation module is there math involved with it ?

[@alithedazzling]

yes

[@DeadlyAlpacaa]

Math Motivation

[@alithedazzling]

yes sir haha

[@qwcovzyx]

Hey Ali wanted to ask a small doubt I have. I'm in high school and I was taught the phasor method to solve AC circuits (majorly RLC) because my teacher said it's difficult to solve the differential equations. I wanted to know what other methods exist to solve them (I think I've read something about using the Laplace Transform for circuit analysis however I am not sure)

[@alithedazzling]

So the reason we use phasor notation is it makes any type of oscillation behavior easier to deal with mathematically -- it gets rid of all the wear exponents and converts them to something much easier we can deal with. Laplace transform also can transform these tough differential equations into algebraic equations, although I would encourage you to get really comfortable with phasors as its the most standard and practical method of dealing with AC circuits and electromagnetic waves in general

[@qwcovzyx]

@@alithedazzling thanks for the reply, I do find phasors to be quite easier, having used them for evaluating oscillations too, however I will study about the Laplace Transform approach for fun :)

[@Obzrve]

I bought used math just I want to be a head.

[@ronaldsuarez6389]

Bro what school did you go to or are going to ?

[@alithedazzling]

buffalo for bs/ms, northeastern for phd

[@zemba2363]

So it is better have a minor in math?

[@alithedazzling]

Its not necessary

[@4thesakeofitname]

anything more in math should always be a bonus, however the actual problem is that most math departments will not orient their classes toward engineering (practical) use, therefore it could even be harmful to your main studies. That being said, having a properly guided, efficiently designed, as solid as possible real, useful, math education would multiply your electrical engineering experience by orders of magnitude! Electrical engineering makes heavy use of vast majority of mathematical topics. Calculus, Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differental Equations, Probability & Statistics, Coding & Information Theory, and then Analysis, Complex Variables, Generalized Function Theory, Transform Theory, and Harmonic Analysis for Signals and Systems. However, the most important skill is being able to speak *the language of mathematics* as mature and accurate as possible...

[@dayoflic_]

Hey Ali, i sent a message to you, please could reply it?

[@Djustin2000]

Yeah man not too bad 🙃