Why 250 is Important

Reasons why cmsc250 is important.

• Learn to think logically and precisely.
• Train of thought for induction is similar to train of thought for recursion.
• Gives you the mathematical tools and maturity so that in cmsc351 you can analyze the runtime or correctness of an algorithm.
• Logic and Combinatorics provide more insight into proper test design.
• Material covered strongly ties into tree/graph/network theory and applications.
• Learning the limits of what you can and cannot store on a computer (e.g., sqrt(2) irrational).
• Learning how to prove things about statements using AND, OR and NOT can be helpful when designing efficient and accurate conditional statements. Those operators are the foundation of building simple computer elements (e.g., adders).
• Converting between natural language statements and equivalent pure logic is an integral part of going back and forth between program specifications and scenarios with clients and your written code.