Do you really use math in your job?

Games are at their heart about math. Whether you're designing the XP curves for leveling up, create pathing algorithms for enemy soldiers, or analyzing user behavior to improve how people interact with your interface, you will always need math. Look at literally ANY game you play, and there is math behind it. How much damage does an M16 do in CoD? What is the jump arc of mario (how high, how far, how fast)?

Algebra is an absolute must. You need to know how variables work, and understand the difference between mean and median, geometric and exponential scaling, simple and compound increases. You need to be able to design curves for damage and health, xp and leveling, currency earnings and item costs.

Geometry is necessary for any graphics work, even sound design, and can come in handy in analysis as well.

Calculus is used for regression modeling, 3d graphics rendering, and more.

Set Theory can be used for AI programming, especially when your AI must respond to a changing situation.

Math is much more real-world relevant than school can make you believe. When you're late for work and need to know how fast you need to go to make it in, that's math! When you look for how much you can spend on a car, that's math. When you need to twice as much dinner as you thought and need to double the ingredients, that's math.

Just keep at it, try to think of real world applications to the principles your learning, and remember that ANYONE can learn it, it may just take you more time and effort.

I love this question but I may be biased. I got a M.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Computer Science, and B.S. in Mathematics.

Simply put, yes, you do use mathematics on your job but it depends on your particular job or career. Some people only use up to Calculus and some people use beyond Calculus.

The difference between a software developer and a software engineer is simply this -- who can figure out the most "efficient" way to program something. For example, if I wanted directions from A to B. There are hundreds of answer but out of all of them, there's an efficient route. This is where mathematics comes in. You look at a problem and using your math background, what can you use to make the situation more efficient.

In computer graphics programming (especially at Pixar and Dreamworks), mathematics is the backbone for those characters, background, and objects. Without mathematics, things will take forever to make.

Now, you can get away in life without mathematics at all -- but if you want to stand out from the rest, you need to know your mathematics because you need to show and prove to others how your work is "better, cleaner, and faster."

Don't give up mathematics!

I agree with John!

In fact, there are very few jobs out there that will allow you to avoid math altogether. As a cashier, you'll encounter situations where you'll need to make change without the help of the register. As a graphic designer, you may need to calculate the the percentage you need to blow up a logo if it's going on a particular size of billboard. As someone assembling products in a factory, you may need to calculate how far apart to drill holes based on the overall size of the piece.

If you dream of designing or creating things, you'll definitely want to embrace math. Video games, architectural structures, clever inventions, and all manner of things are created with varying degrees of math as a foundation.

Math might be frustrating at times, but much like a musical instrument, if you practice the concepts enough, it will start to stick.

As John mentioned, you can definitely stand apart from other job candidates if you have strong math skills, so it's well worth the effort!

Even as an artist, I have to use math every day to make sure dimensions and optimization of art is accurate. Putting art into an engine means you can't really fudge the numbers, or a game could end up not looking right at all.

It's important to try to think of math problems in terms that can be useful for you. It might be abstract letters and formulas in the classroom, but those variables could be resources in a project, people on a team, or even your own money.

Even aside from graphics, there are all sorts of applications for math in video games. In gameplay, there's tons of math being used for enemy behaviors or AI. Imagine you're creating enemy AI for a shooter. The enemy has a weapon that fires at a specific velocity. How will it lead the target (that's you), in order to hit a moving target? These are essentially math (and physics) problems. Even simple games like Angry Birds boils down to a physics problem of velocity and gravity (more math).