Hacker News Reader

I originally studied EE and we did a lot of math. Fourier series, Laplace transforms ... Never used any of it. The most I've used has been some simple statistics and a cubic spline for some curve fitting. Even ML seems to just use basic linear algebra. That said, trigonometry can be quite useful for DIY jobs.

View on HN

I've used more Geometry & Trig working on my Model Train Set than I have as a professional software engineer. Figuring out table spacing, track radius, overhang from trains, is basic stuff.

I needed to buy a bunch of precisely cut curved wood for a 2nd level (laser cut wood! So Awesome!), and had to actually re-learn the basics of trig in order to provide the details to have everything made.

I too am an EE, though doing digital design. It is true I never have to do a Fourier transform in my professional life, but the time/frequency duality and all the ideas related to it have been useful throughout my career.

In addition, that section of math was the most beautiful thing I've learned in my life.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com