I have to take Discrete Mathematical structures for my major..should I be scared of discrete math?

Question

Is it hard and can someone give me a good idea of what to expect..If this helps any, I actually find calculus fun!

Answer 1

Discrete Mathematics encompasses a wide area of study, much of which is useful in Computer Science as well. In a typical first course on Discrete Mathematical Structures, expect to encounter basic set theory, functions, relations, algorithms and complexity, propositional calculus (a branch of logic you will probably enjoy if you enjoyed calculus), boolean algebra, lattice theory, graph theory, some basic number theory, and perhaps even some more advanced number theory like diophantine equations or integer powers modulo a prime. I suspect you like calculus because it mixes memorization with good intuition, like finding the integral of a tricky integrand, and doing so efficiently with a neat little "trick" or method. Discrete mathematical structures harbors much of that, but at a more abstract level. I think you will find it enjoyable, and because it surveys such a wide array of fields, you might find one or two subjects you wish to pursue further. Good Luck!

Steve

Answer 2

You'll probably have a blast. After getting the concept of limits and continuity down now you'll go the other way where things can be counted. I especially liked modulo arithmetic and 'divisors of zero'.

Define a multiplication table modulo k:

a x b = ab mod k the remainder when dividing by k

if k = 3, then only 0,1,2 exist

2 x 2 = 4 mod 3 = 1

for k not prime there are 'divisors of zero' or numbers that when multiplied can equal zero!

k =4

then 2 x 2 = 4 mod 4 = 0

So, two numbers can be multiplied to equal zero and neither is zero, only happens for k non prime.

Inverses:

2 x 3 = 6 mod 5 = 1 means that 2 and 3 are multiplicative inverses.

You'll have fun, I'd bet.

Answer 3

If you can find calculus fun, you'll probably have a good time with "discrete mathematical structures" It includes set theory, mathematical logic, combinatorials, graph theory, group theory, boolean algebras, information theory, etc., without anything like real analysis. The nice thing about discrete mathematical structures is that, although abstract, is very mechanically oriented. It's easy to visualize your way through. Probably the biggest commerical demand for this field is computer science---no surprise, because it's very computer like.

Answer 4

Being "scared" of an academic area is generally a barrier to learning, and I tend to find the scared/barrier ratio to be much higher in maths than other disciplines (presumably because it's far easier to be very abstract in maths compared to in the sciences, say).

Depends what you mean by scared...
Should you be anxious? No.
Is it difficult? Probably.
Is it dull? Depends on you.
Is it important? Again, depends on your point of view, but very few careers hinge on it!

Answer 5

You shouldn't be afraid of discrete math. You should be afraid of the fear of learning.