The TRUTH About Math for Programming

Some skills are critical for becoming a good software developer. Here is one skill you absolutely need, but do you need to be an expert at it? Maybe. Maybe not.
Do you need to be good at math to be a Software Engineer? How much math do you need to know to be a frontend developer or backend developer? Here's my take on why you need math for programming.
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[@isiahwhittington7860]

Currently in college for computer science and I have to take college algebra for gen ed. and I have to say I’m enjoying math a lot more then I did in high school. The teachers you have really do make a difference 😂👍

[@jamescross]

that is very true!

[@Mazoane]

Maybe the fact you are on a college and pursuing a good career in tech makes you more interested in learning math and more focused? We all go to high school cuz we have to

[@robertjr8205]

You need to take up to calc 2

[@jarycruz]

Beautiful video Mak !! Really clear explanations and clean edit. Thank you for always providing high-quality content 💯

[@jamescross]

My pleasure!

[@ricardobarajas866]

Ive always been really good in math! I was in advanced classes for most of my school years. I hope I can apply my skills to future problem solving projects :)

[@adeyinka_black]

Yoooo I'm always excited seeing your videos. 🔥🔥🔥👑

[@jamescross]

Glad you like them!

[@leonm.g3856]

BROTHER, YOU ARE THE BEST!!! You oooh really helped me!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

[@jamescross]

You are welcome!

[@codecommerce]

Love your videos dude!

[@jamescross]

Glad to hear it!

[@shitbrixist]

This is true since there are codes that need basic equations like to get the return values, arrays, etc.

[@Edmundostudios]

I came from a design background and have moved more into dev over the past few years working in test automation using selenium and similar frameworks. I haven’t really found math a hurdle so far to be honest but I’m sure if a role is more backend server focused it might require better math skills.

[@jamescross]

thanks for sharing your experience Edmundo!

[@91dgross]

i wonder why programmers never talk about how learning to play chess could be just as good for you as learning math when trying to develop problem solving skills. im only a beginner programmer, but ive been playing chess for years, and the logic puzzles i have to think through when playing chess have translated over to my learning in programming in helpful ways. in chess you have to be able to hold multiple scenarios in your head at a time and make a best case decision. this has helped me in learning to code. though im still just a beginner

[@jamescross]

great perspective! thanks for sharing!

[@luigitosti7599]

Nice video 👍, I think your right on the point, math is a very broad term. It’s like saying Spanish, French, and Italian are all Latin languages, I was born in Italy, I can understand a few words in Spanish and French, doesn’t mean I could have a conversation with someone. Also I’m a construction guy, that’s why I watch your channel, trying to get out of the pit! Thanks Devsmak for your contributions.

[@jamescross]

Best wishes on your new adventure!

[@funshoajayi2224]

Hello sir, How's your arm...hope It's better..keep motivating...if you're like me, and you're still learning...if devsmack can do it...you can too... I love your contents...As a fellow non computer science graduate...I graduated as an accountant...but I enter tech after graduation and this channel gives me so much hope...

[@jamescross]

i am doing much better. thanks for asking.

[@dusitthehto1946]

So it only requires basic math?

[@2mw_ke]

I've learnt html and css so far with freecodecamp and I'm progressing to javascript next week. I'm a bit intimidated, a friend told me this will require the use of logic. But if all I need is basic math, then that's okay.

[@smashing_data4292]

I'm taking the freecodecamp program. I have not gotten into javascript yet but I do have a CS degree. The best way to visualize logic is with truth tables for each individual operation. Just like arithmetic has add, subtract, and other operations logic has and, or, an not operations. The or operation is a little tricky because it is slightly different from the spoken English language or. During my last semester in college, I was a math teaching assistant for a college algebra class and I had to review basic math before class. Otherwise, I would look like I didn't know what I was doing.

[@DarkSide-yb3dy]

Brazil here! i want be a developer front-end, but i dont very good in maths. I study more html and css.

[@passportbro904]

Im being honest, im 39 and always hated maths and have avoided it in my life so far.. but I really want to be a good developer, im not trying to get sacked on my first job or just seen as a fraud. So no stress, there are courses you can do to start from the basics in maths up to algebra, statical probability etc etc and it'll take you a couple weeks to complete (udemy is good for maths courses) then boom, then ill start learning data structures and algorithms at that point. Boom 💥 be smart or risk wasting your time.

[@ashenone3427]

We can use calculators right?

[@jamescross]

of course

[@funshoajayi2224]

I feel you only need basic math but mostly Logic 😉

[@eduardocod8924]

I’m going for an associate degree Instead of a bootcamp. would you recommend me to get an associate in wed and mobile development, or in computer information system which focuses more in the back end and math😢☠️ what would be more marketable as to finding a job ? Or perhaps I’m better of learning my self ?

[@jamescross]

If you are considering an associates, why not go all the way and get a CS degree? You could always start learning on your own and try to get a job while in school to come out with more experience.

[@eduardocod8924]

@@jamescross yeah but I wouldn’t do computer science because is to math heavy, but instead computer information system which is the same but less way less math.also, is there any advantage in getting a bachelors? Because people with no degree are still getting the jobs so doing an extra 2 years seems like a waste. I would do an associate to make my self competitive, and to learn the basics. Question, do you have any videos on this topic ? Regarding college degree vs boot camps interns of getting jobs.

[@jamescross]

some companies to still prefer a cs degree. then there are a lot of corporate type companies who sometimes require or strongly prefer that someone has a bachelors for certain promotions. doesn't mean you can't have a successful career elsewhere. if i could go back, i would get a cs degree. another thing to consider is that associates only scratches the surface since you have a lot of general classes in there. this is totally subjective and a generalization, but i personally kinda rank it like this for return on investment: best (cs bachelors) -> better (quality software specialized multi-year trade school) -> good (quality bootcamp / self-taught but with solid skills) -> associates degree -> low quality bootcamp -> unfocused self-taught person.

[@eduardocod8924]

Good at math=logic=better at coding 🤔

[@jamescross]

both require critical thinking problem solving skills. that is where the overlap is.

[@iam_amantiwarii]

Hey, @devsmak how can i contact you ? I have some suggestions for you I want to share

[@jamescross]

feel free to drop the suggestions here

[@iam_amantiwarii]

​@@jamescross Hey dev your videos really helped me alot and i am on my first steps of becoming a web dev too. Your video quality and teaching style is really awesome but somewhere i think that thumbnails can be improved as you know thumbnails play a major role in videos performance . How do i know these ? I had 2 yt channels and many ig pages . I have an good experience in these type of works .. Its an honor to work with you if you'll give me an opportunity . Hopping to get a response soon 🧨.