Mathematics Is Imprecise

We commonly think of mathematics as bringing precision to application domains, but its relationship with computer science is more complex. This experience report on the use of Racket and Haskell to teach a required first university CS course to students with very good mathematical skills focusses on...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Prabhakar Ragde
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Open Publishing Association 2013-01-01
Series:Electronic Proceedings in Theoretical Computer Science
Online Access:http://arxiv.org/pdf/1301.5076v1
Description
Summary:We commonly think of mathematics as bringing precision to application domains, but its relationship with computer science is more complex. This experience report on the use of Racket and Haskell to teach a required first university CS course to students with very good mathematical skills focusses on the ways that programming forces one to get the details right, with consequent benefits in the mathematical domain. Conversely, imprecision in mathematical abstractions and notation can work to the benefit of beginning programmers, if handled carefully.
ISSN:2075-2180