• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Calculus: Infinite series. Is there any point to it for a mechanical engineer?

Jeff7

Jeff7

Lifer
Calc 2 has finally reached infinite series calculations, using that fun sigma thing. P-series, geometric series, harmonic series......but is there any real-world use for any of it? I ask, because if there is, the teacher of the course has kept it totally secret. We're just torturing numbers for the hell of it now. Are they suffering in vain?

I should mention that my major is mechanical engineering, in my second semester now.
 
Originally posted by: zoiks
Since its infinite therefore it has no point. Duh!
Click to expand...

I hearby sentence you to an infinite series of slaps upside the head. Now I just need to find a way of administering said sentence...I need an infinite number of monkeys. Once those monkeys are done typing Shakespeare plays, I'll use them.
 
like Peter once said,
Math my boy is simply the lesbian sister or biology.
I'm not sure if it was worded exactly but you get my point.
By the way STATISTICS IS COOL...because its easy >_>...
 
Originally posted by: Beige
like Peter once said,
Math my boy is simply the lesbian sister or biology.
I'm not sure if it was worded exactly but you get my point.
By the way STATISTICS IS COOL...because its easy >_>...
Click to expand...

Huh O_O
 
Originally posted by: Beige
like Peter once said,
Math my boy is simply the lesbian sister or biology.
I'm not sure if it was worded exactly but you get my point.
By the way STATISTICS IS COOL...because its easy >_>...
Click to expand...

I had Prob & Stat a few years ago at a community college. Managed to pass it with a C. Damned craziest math I'd ever seen......but then I took calculus.
 
It's very important in science and math but unfortionately they don't do a very good job of teaching it in Calc II. If you take an applied course down the road it'll be much easier and will make more sense. For now you must suffer like the rest of us did.
 
Originally posted by: Beige
like Peter once said,
Math my boy is simply the lesbian sister or biology.
I'm not sure if it was worded exactly but you get my point.
By the way STATISTICS IS COOL...because its easy >_>...
Click to expand...

I can tell that you haven't taken many statistic classes.
 
Laurent series are critical for Complex residues.

With the mathematics you use in Engineering, you will love residues. Inverse Laplace transforms and crazy integrals fall apart in a matter of seconds. It's beautiful.

If you ever have the opportunity to take Complex Analysis, do it.
 
Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
power series and the like are pretty cool, actually 🙂
Click to expand...

We are finally to power series now in this chapter that never ends, and I have to say - what the heck are you smoking??? As this chapter progresses, it just gets more and more sadistic.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7
We are finally to power series now in this chapter that never ends, and I have to say - what the heck are you smoking??? As this chapter progresses, it just gets more and more sadistic.
Click to expand...
As a mechanical engineer, you'll see series solutions to many problems. Pick up some classic texts by Timoshenko (e.g. Theory of Elasticity or Theory of Plates & Shells) and you'll see plenty of problems solved using series solutions. In practice, most series turn out to converge rather quickly (5-10 terms), though some require thousands of terms. Good luck. 😛
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top