What are the recommended maths resources for pre-engineering students?

[MartinJH]

What Maths for pre-engineering.

In the next coming months I plan on attending College again to futher my maths knowledge (I had a disruptive schoolling experiance) and gain the needed qualifications to then hopefully study in either materials science or mechnical engineering.

Before I start attending id like to basically gain a little headstart in the maths that I will be using, I have the K.A stroud (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1403942463/?tag=pfamazon01-20) enigeering mathematics book which I shall start going through soon but is there anything else I could use while studying maths (A level)
A link to a site or another thread that has good answers would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Martin

 

[nlsherrill]

look at the curriculum for your engineering program and see what math is required, then go from there. I think calculus and differential equations are a must, though.

 

[ych22]

Linear Algebra, differential equations, vector calculus for almost all Engineering disciplines.

Discrete math such as combinatorics, logic and graphs if industrial/electrical/computer engineering.

 

[Angry Citizen]

Linear Algebra, differential equations, vector calculus for almost all Engineering disciplines.

Differential equations, yes, but only ordinary, and in some cases partial.

 

[ych22]

Differential equations, yes, but only ordinary, and in some cases partial.

Not proud to say that I cannot tell the difference because I have forgotten all my freshmen work...sigh...

 

[MartinJH]

Thank you for your replys every one. Much appreciated :).
To say the least I am a bit nervous at the maths, like so many people I guess. After watching an uncle of mine (mech eng) working out incredible calculations while studying Mechincal Eningeering I just hope I can manage. I won't be giving up though, I want to at least give it a bloody good go.

 

[zif.]

Not proud to say that I cannot tell the difference because I have forgotten all my freshmen work...sigh...

Not surprising since DEs are typically only lightly touched, if at all, in freshman year.

 

[nlsherrill]

Thank you for your replys every one. Much appreciated :).
To say the least I am a bit nervous at the maths, like so many people I guess. After watching an uncle of mine (mech eng) working out incredible calculations while studying Mechincal Eningeering I just hope I can manage. I won't be giving up though, I want to at least give it a bloody good go.

The math will probably not be the hard part about mechanical. You may be dealing with complicated mathematics sometimes, but usually "setting up the problem" and straddling with the concepts will pose more of an intellectual strain(for engineering).

 

[MartinJH]

but usually "setting up the problem" and straddling with the concepts will pose more of an intellectual strain(for engineering).

Is what I strive off :)

 

[mal4mac]

In the next coming months I plan on attending College again to futher my maths knowledge (I had a disruptive schoolling experiance) and gain the needed qualifications to then hopefully study in either materials science or mechnical engineering.

Before I start attending id like to basically gain a little headstart in the maths that I will be using, I have the K.A stroud (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1403942463/?tag=pfamazon01-20) enigeering mathematics book which I shall start going through soon but is there anything else I could use while studying maths (A level)
A link to a site or another thread that has good answers would be much appreciated.

That's not a head-start, it's trying to run before you can walk...

Stroud goes far beyond A level to cover much of the Mathematics needed for an Engineering degree.

"AS Level Maths OCR Complete Revision & Practice" would be a better book to tussle with at this stage. (if you are following the OCR board - if not find something geared exactly to your exact exam board...) Given your disruptive school how's your O level capability? It might be worth brushing up with GCSE Maths Revision Guide - Higher Level by Richard Parsons to make sure you have all the basics down.

There's plenty of time to do Stroud when you *have* to do Stroud! Caveat - you can read the bits that don't go beyond A level, but reading any further is wasting time that would be better spent consolidating your A level work.

 

[MartinJH]

I must note I haven't actually started reading K.A stroud yet and I won't be for a while yet, the level of maths in there is way above me right now, as you've basically said.
I will be going back to college/uni to brush up and gain the necessary grades in (GCSE) maths to enable me to apply for the Engineering foundation course and then if I remember correctly that'l allow me to apply for mechanical engineering at a later date.
Im not a complete novice in maths, its used pretty much everyday being a Carpenter but like anyone, I've become pretty rusty in a lot of topics like algebra, trigonometry as we don't use them at all.
Thanks for the advice as well :).

 

[Shaun_W]

Your college should be spoon-feeding you enough material for you to pass the required maths qualifications without the need to purchase extra books.

 

[MartinJH]

Thank you shaun, as I said above or touched on, I feel it's an advantage to know what you're getting into ahead of starting. It takes me a little longer to learn about something because I tend to over think things I simply can't be told that, for instance a long Algebra equation, =xyz. I feel I need to know why someone and where someone would use Algebra. This is only a crude example but learning something before class means I can go in there without my mind wandering if you see what I mean lol :).
Its difficult for me to explain and I feel I'm not doing my self any favours by thinking like that but for some reason I do whether its just a huge desire of mine to learn I don't know :/. But I can't accept that the answer just =xyz and that's it.

Actually on a side note, if anyone has similar experiences then please say how you deal/cope/overcome this.