I''m a junior in HS, and I will be taking preCal and a new class called Independant Study in Mathematics. This course allows you to choose any kind of math you feel like to study. Our mentor(teacher i guess) will make suggestions and guide our studies. I have heard that he is the head of a local Comp-Sci department so he will know what maths are relevant to computer science. My question for you guys is what maths would I need for game programming? Thanks in advance--

Analytical geometry and the calculus pretty much have everything you need since it includes vectors and matrices.

ECKILLER

ALL maths are relevant for game programming. Take if from someone who''s been there. I have BS Math/CS degree.


I''ve taken everything from Calculus to Combinatorics and Optimizations and every piece of math I had will help you in various aspects of game development.

good luck.

Linear Algebra is really usefull, but I agree that the more math you know the better off you are. =)

Mike Barela
mbarela@earthlink.net

Wow! Fast replies 3 in 40 mins!
Also, What order should I take them in?

Well, when I was in college, I took Calc, Vector Geometry, and Elementary *non-proofs* Linear Algebra in one year, and then combinatorics the next. Also look into Discrete Mathematics. Fun stuff! Also look into taking some proofs oriented courses, Modern Algebra, Number Theory, etc, after those. The analytical and problem solving skills you learn there will be very helpful.

Good luck, and have fun!

Req

dddDDDdddDDDdddDDDdddDDDddd

Big Brother is Watching

all math...
algebra, geometry, trig, calculus, and don''t forget the "physics".

A lot of real life situations can be found within a game and the physics in the game makes it realistic. Good algebra and calculus skills helps in the physics, although the trig and geometry you need when calculating angles and such.

keep learning, I''m a Sr. in high school and taking calc 2.

I''m working on my BS in comp sci right now and my curriculum includes engineering calculus I, II, and III, statistics, discrete mathematics, and linear algebra. Also, if I take one 400 level math class in addition to my requirements, I''ll get a minor in mathematics. So I''ll probably also be taking something like numerical analysis.

BTW, the major difference (at Texas A&M) between engineering calc and normal calc is that engineering calc is more vector oriented.

Number theory is cool.

3D math is VERY interresting

Vectors (cross product, dot product)

Matrices (also inverse!)

Quaternions (imaginairy math!)

3D->2D Projection (also raytracing ~ 2D->3D)

Algorithms (depthsort, polygon drawing)

You can make cool calculations you''ll need for building your own 3D engine
Calculations on lightintensity or backface culling.
Use inverse matrices for calulating your camera position. Transform your object vertices to world coords using 3D matrices. Or how about smooth angle interpolations.

You can surely use nice pictures if you need to write something for school!