Everything is number. Or at least,
it is for a Computer Scientist like you.
In this module, we will work through numerical tools that will
support your journey as a Computer Scientist.
I want to invite you to think of what I mean with everything is number.
Right down from a scale from one to 10,
how much you agree with that statement?
Ten is total agreement.
It is a number. Jot down your thoughts on it,
and write the date.
As you progress along this module,
revisit this question and add any new thought,
and do join the discussion forum on this topic,
and see what your module colleagues came up with.
Now, my name is Sarah Santos.
I was born in Portugal,
and I live in London in the UK.
I'm a mathematician with a love for arts and passion for computing.
I love knitting socks, wrapping a present,
mathematically respecting the wrapping paper pattern,
and I love dancing.
Tell us more about you in the discussion forum.
Now, back to you on computing.
On a day to day basis,
you will abstract from how a computer works at the very basic machine level.
Still, a basic understanding of the numerical foundation of how computers work,
will help you be an effective problem solver and a creative professional.
That's a pretty cool Computer Scientist.
Computers compute.
All information is computed as numbers.
Whether you are manipulating pixels of images,
creating websites, transforming sound, creating music,
analyzing business data, designing VR or video games,
you will always use tools with a mathematical base.
I love mathematics, and I particularly,
enjoy witnessing people connecting with their inner mathematician.
A common ground we have as humans is a want for patterns.
The number sense and a need to express thoughts numerically,
is part of this knack for patterns.
We, humans are pattern searchers,
and mathematics is the ultimate expression of our conquest of patterns.
The word mathematics comes from "mathema," that relates to
gaining knowledge to really knowing something.
Patterns, rhythm, beauty, and the pleasure that comes from those are a very human thing.
People specialize on how they deal with patterns.
Paint it, dance it,
sing it, drum it,
feel them cause patterns in others via words, code,
laughter, medicine, others, even without a physical context.
Being a mathematician, observing patterns,
seeking the rule behind them,
being able to know things for sure,
proving that the rule works.
Also, being baffled by the mysteries of patterns,
is all part of being human.
It is the process of studying patterns that we nowadays call mathematics.
But deep down, we are all mathematicians.
Some of the mathematics we cover here may be familiar to you.
Other parts may seem outlandish,
but we keep it all linked to computing situations,
and we invite you to always place the maths we
learn in the context of a theme or a problem in computing.
We will support you on that journey, too.
But, what have I got in store for you?
This module is designed as a walking and climbing journey.
We're in it together,
and I have prepared a way.
You are going along the same path with enough room for you to do your own footsteps,
but you are to do the walking,
and you all can talk along the way.
I'll point out some beautiful bits on the landscape.
You will have options to go off the track sometimes,
but with insight of the journey,
you can stop or have a break,
and then race back in.
You can also talk along the way,
and I hope you also point out to all of
us when you find a new flower tree or special rock along the way.
The videos that contain examples were made thinking about you stopping
the video and working through the example yourself with good old-fashioned pen and paper,
before you check against my results.
Don't be tricked by the need to be right all the time.
The surprise of being wrong and learning from it is a very valuable experience.
So, enjoy it and learn.
Sometimes, you'll be asked to read something in advance,
or think of a problem,
or revise a topic before a lecture.
Do it, and bring your own notes and thoughts, questions with you.
After each video, do attempt the formative quizzes as soon
as possible to understand if you need to revisit
the videos or if you can progress to the next.
The point of the formative quizzes is for you to get feedback on your learning,
so do attempt early on,
and as often as you need.
Embrace the difficulties as learning moments,
and share your questions and thoughts in the discussion forum.
We want you to succeed.
There will be tasks with problem solving elements and some peer reviews.
You are encouraged to discuss some elements of these tasks in
the forum to make sure you understand the assignment.
There will be at least one summative quiz per topic,
but they contain questions that require you haven't
completed previous tasks in order to be able to answer.
We will look at binary and other number basis,
sequences, series, and graphs of functions.
Come along with us in this journey,
and enjoy the module.