Computing and IT

MESH has many resources designed to assist with maths and stats relevant to Computing and IT students.

Workshops

MESH runs regular workshops for the Computing and IT maths core units, Discrete Mathematics, Statistics for Business and Statistical Decision Making. Information about times for these workshops can be found on our Events page during session.

Maths and Stats Help

MESH tutors are available daily. Click here for the Maths and Stats Help timetable.

Online Help

An online maths help line, "I Don't Get It" where students can post non-assessment questions about maths problems and receive help from MESH staff within one business day.

Matrix Arithmetic

Matrices are used in several areas of Computing and IT. The following sites will help you to understand how matrix arithmetic works and the differences between matrix arithmetic and the arithmetic of real numbers that you are familiar with.

• Stat Trek Matrix Algebra Tutorials - This series of lessons give a comprehensive overview of matrices and includes exercises to test your understanding and a glossary of technical terms.
• Khan Academy Matrices - A series of videos showing examples of most things you might need to do with matrices.
• Maths is Fun: How to Multiply Matrices - A page showing graphically how to multiply matrices together. Includes questions to test your understanding.

Remainders and Modular Arithmetic

A remainders is the part that is left over when we do division with whole numbers, for example $7$ divided by $2$ is $3$ with a remainder of $1$. Remainders and the arithmetic using them (modular arithmetic) are used in computing and IT. The following sites may be helpful if you need more information:

• When Division is Not Exact - a basic overview of the concept of remainders
• Division and Remainders - similar to above with some exercises
• Quotients and Remainders - an interactive website prepared by MESH explaining the concepts and including some exercises.
• Introduction to Remainders - a short video from Khan Academy introducing the concept of remainders
• Fun with modular arithmetic - a good introduction to the concept with some concrete examples

Logic

Formal logic is the foundation of computer operation and is essential for successful programming. These links may be helpful if you need more information.

• Logic: AND, OR, NOT - covers basic ideas of logic and the AND, OR and NOT operators in a computing setting.

Algebra and Arithmetic

A basic understanding of arithmetic and algebra is important for many disciplines. The following resources may be of use if you need to review the principals.

• Order of Operations - need to review the basics of arithmetic? These pages will help you revise the basics of order of operations.
• Percentages - this document will help you to review the idea of a percentage and to calculate percentages of quantities.
• Calculating Proportions - this document covers the concept of a proportion and how to solve simple proportion problems without algebra.
• Rounding and Truncating - computers can only work with numbers with a fixed, finite number of decimal places. What is the appropriate method for reducing the number of decimal places in a number? What is the difference between rounding the number and truncating it? These pages will guide you through the process.

Other Resources

Other resources that may be useful during your computing and IT studies include:

• Maths Start workshop materials - these materials are those used in the MESH workshops at the start of each year. (vUWS login required)