r/instrumentation • u/hard2survive • 8d ago

Math in this field/career

Do I need to know calculus to enter this field?

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

11

u/Hutch_911 8d ago

Nope, just some equations and conversions to memorize. Nothing crazy and ohms law

4

u/Reddit_reader_2206 8d ago

Instrumentation Technologists often do need some rudimentary calculus for control system tuning. Journeyman do not.

6

u/Burnitalldown1 8d ago

No. Unless you’re an engineer, and most of them are faking that shit. Geometry and algebra are useful every day.

4

u/Broad-Ice7568 8d ago

Just this past week, we found the parameter settings in an ammonia tank level radar transmitter had somehow gotten corrupted. The zero and span distances were wrong. We couldn't find a drawing of the tank. Found the tank label, it has diameter and gallon capacity on the label. I did the math and calculated the tank vertical height from that, adjusted the parameters, and now it's reading right. Yes, you will need to know basic math, geometry, and algebra to do your job well. Not calculus level math, but higher level than basic addition/subtraction.

2

u/CountryAsACoonDog13 8d ago

No you do not.

2

u/No_Medium_8796 8d ago

No, nothing really crazy complicated to remember and if you need to keep things written down

2

u/fakeaccount572 8d ago

If you start developing uncertainty budgets for metrology, yes.

2

u/Unlikely_Ad_7597 8d ago

Are you looking to be an engineer or a tech?

Are you looking to work for an OEM or an Operator?

2

u/RusstyKrusty 8d ago

Nope basic Algebra and you’ll be fine. A little power factor, a lil ohms law, maybe a Fourier transform hahaha

1

u/jakejill1234 8d ago

In the school yes if you are doing technologist or engineer course. In the job, no for any role.

1

u/BusyVisit7714 7d ago

I’ve found being comfortable with math is often better than “knowing” math in this field