Mathematics is one of the subjects that people do not sufficiently understand, not in the sense of grasping it to solve problems, but rather they do not understand the latent benefits of mathematics. That is, mathematics is the foundation of science and technology that enables us to fly airplanes, propel ships, diagnose illnesses, etc. Mathematical minds are trained to reason through problems and are wired with intuition to operate with unknown unknowns.
Now the issue becomes even more annoying when engineering instructors say things like, βIβve never used calculus at work.β Others say of their students that they are never going to use Thermodynamics or Applied Mechanics, which are math heavy courses, in their work life. Imagine an engineer who barely passed math based courses in college, or imagine another who upgraded their Certificate of Competency primarily through service and minimal coursework. This person can run high pressure boilers generating superheated steam without ever applying any math skills, just like someone who does not know anything about automobile technology can drive a car as long as they have a driverβs license.
A properly trained engineer will understand the thermodynamics of steam and the strength of the materials employed in designing the steam drum. A layperson can be trained to operate that boiler with a strong emphasis on safety and procedural knowledge without ever needing any math skills. However, without analytical skills and logical thinking, the layperson will struggle with troubleshooting in the engine room and may not foresee problems developing in the steam generation system.