What can I do with what I know? [closed]

Solution 1:

In my opinion, Calculus (SV, MV, Diff. Eqns) and Linear Algebra forms the basis of most things in Engineering (I mean basic engineering. Not high end stuff, you can get there later though) However, mathematics acts as hygiene and not a motivator. Let me explain what I mean:

Pick up any field of engineering. Let us assume you chose Mechanical Engineering. The major components of ME are Heat Transfer/Fluid Mechanics and maybe newer topics like Robotics, CAD CAM or whatever. Among all of these, the aforementioned mathematical topics suffice to understand all that is being said. But effort is required to link an equation with the "real world".

In you multivariable/differential equation course, you probably learnt how to solve $ x\frac{dy}{dx} = 0$. You may be answers but they won't have any physical intuition. This same equation might show up in heat transfer where $y$ would signify the temperature at a given point. If you know math, you are 1 good book away from knowing the basics of an engineering field. The absence of math knowledge (no matter how good your engineering intuition is) is going to cause problems in the long run.

To cite another example: Say you pick up "rocket science", the prerequisites for basic astrodynamics is Calculus with a little physics (Thermodynamics). There will be people who point out that Calculus and LA are not enough and that one needs other subjects to succeed in Engineering. This is not entirely true. You might need a few basic concepts from Probability/Statistics/Topology etc. but they can be learnt on an ad-hoc basic.

Note: While the theme of SE is not to spurt out opinions but facts, this question invited one so I provided.