I
have to use pretty much everything I learnt in A-level maths day-to-day designing car transmission control algorithms.

Degree level maths though is a completely different kettle of fish - I'm convinced that some of the stuff has no real-world use whatsoever.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Thu 28 May 2009, 10:05, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

If you're doing
computational fluid dynamics when designing and exhaust or intake system for a car, for example, you'd use some pretty complex maths. Admittedly, nowadays it's all built into a computer model, but you still have to have a grasp of the maths to understand what changing each parameter actually does.

As I said above, it depends on which part of the real world you inhabit. A bloke sweeping the street wouldn't have to know a great deal of maths to get by in daily life.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 28 May 2009, 10:17, Reply)

I agree about needing to understand the math
Even if the computer does the actual calculations, if you don't understand the math and how to use it, your model can look good but have absolutely no resemblance to reality and be totally useless.
(MichaelS wasn't picked again, Thu 28 May 2009, 12:03, Reply)