How much math do youreally need?

I was not sure where to put this question but im postin it here. I heard that it takes alot of math to fly, is this true? If so what types of math should i study the most? Im not that good at math and i would like to know about it now so i can strengthin the areas where im not good at.

Honestly, you don't need beyond an 8th grade math ability. There really isn't any fancy math involved unless you want to build airplanes. It does help, however, to be able to do math quickly. Also, a good short term memory helps as well, you will constantly be reading back numbers for coordinates, frequencies, etc.

So THAT'S what I keep getting wrong... short term memory... wait, what were we talking about?

it feels like i just woke up...

i must be doing something wrong because im constatly playing with my whiz wheel trying to figure within 2 standard deviations, the probability that i will get X emergencies on my next sim.

the whole ASTB thing is what gets me... too much math and physics for a poli sci/history student who took one whole math class in college.

i want to be an intel o, not an engineer!

It took 2 semesters of calc, and 2...make that 3 semesters of linear algebra and diff-eq for me to fly. Your mileage may vary.

Maybe you should be asking about what kind of grammar and punctuation skills you need.

I had 3 semesters of Calc, probs & stats, and discrete math.

The most math I do in the plane is basic Algebra (if that).

Anybody read this thing? I've thumbed through it but could never bring myself to spend $15 for some self-assigned homework ...

It's not so much the advanced math that you need, but they want you to have the analytic, problem-solving skills you will need to do your job and lead others well.

Me, I'm a computational phsyics major.... so I'm getting plenty of math. If you can handle it, math will only help you.

"Mathematical Masturbation"... A phrase echoed in certain instrument simulators. All you need to know is the complex interaction of 60 & 10. And at LEAST the first 20 numbers in the string of pi. This helped me remember http://pi.ytmnd.com

"How much math?". this question can easily be answered with this simple mathematical formula.

This about sums it up.

This is not "cockpit math," but some here will tell you it is required...

I always say, if you suck at math without a calculator (like me), for the ASTB go and buy a GRE/GMAT math review book because it covers all types of math problems on the ASTB. Like the ASTB, the GRE and GMAT also prohibit calculators.

not to be retarded (too late) but as funny as that is, its actually mathmatically wrong.....

(let the heckling commence)

Show me. This is kind of important.

For one thing, time = money would lead to 2(money), not money squared.

No, that's right.

X*X= X^2 not 2X

X+X=2X
:sleep_125

<== Enginerd

Nah, they plugged in time for money. So in time * money, money can be plugged into the spot where time is, resulting in money * money = money^2

Why are we even discussing whether this is mathematically correct or not?

Disagree.

Time + Money = 2 * Money (Logically read Time OR Money)
Time * Money = Money ^ 2 (Otherwise Time AND Money)

To expound on the original question, the first few stages of flight training will require some basic algebra to comprehend equations and do quick mental math in the cockpit. Over time, you'll pick up quick estimation methods that will give you the 90% solution. More math will certainly help your mental capabilities. You'll be working rates and ratios quite a bit, and you'll get familiar with the whiz wheel. Later on, simple trigonometry will help you analyze angles and vectors.
In short, it pays to be a nerd.

the first statement. "women are time and money" 'And' without any modifier implies summation. Women = Time + Money. If you make the initial statement more precise like "women (or girlfriends/wives so on) are the product of time and money" then it works.

+1 to what ArkhamAsylum said. quick but accurate estimation of various simple problems is what one encounters most often in the cockpit.

I should have been more clear. The original statment is that women are time and money, which should translate to time +money, rather than time * money. (In the same way that you could say that 5 is 2 and 3, or 2+3, not 2*3.) Because of that, then, if
women=time+money,
time=money, then
women = money+money=> women=2money