<p>Three benefits of math classes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Knowledge of particular mathematical topics that are useful in TCS. This is a bit specific to the circumstance, but of course it helps! Probability, combinatorics, algebra, sometimes analysis, number theory, logic, ....</li>
<li>Mathematical maturity, general comfort with proofs and mathematical reasoning. Very important.</li>
<li>Showing your qualifications on grad school applications.</li>
</ul>
<p>But I think the specific classes you take and skills you gain are more important than whether you officially major in math or not.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-10T17:10:03.093Z
'algebra' but "sometimes" 'analysis, number theory'?
mathworker21
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-11T02:31:59.190Z
@mathworker21 what is your question or comment? I think which classes are more useful varies throughout TCS.
usul
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-10T14:14:23.577Z
2022-05-10T14:14:23.577Z
usul
<p>I'm a CS major. However, a lot of TCS topics seem to be in the realm of pure math. Should I add a math major to complement understanding and for a future career in TCS?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-09T16:10:45.737Z
yep ${}{}{}{}{}$
mathworker21
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-09T18:16:10.060Z
It's not, strictly speaking, necessary. I've seen plenty of good TCS people come from "only" a CS background with math they picked up along the way. But yes, if it's an option available to you that you would enjoy and not be a burden, then I would recommend adding a math major (for the purposes of TCS) 100% :).
Joshua Grochow
<soft-question>
Does double majoring with math in undergrad help one grasp TCS topics more easier?
wonderinghuh
# Does double majoring with math in undergrad help one grasp TCS topics more easier?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-05-09)

I'm a CS major. However, a lot of TCS topics seem to be in the realm of pure math. Should I add a math major to complement understanding and for a future career in TCS?

**Tags:** soft-question

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: yep ${}{}{}{}{}$  
> **username_2**: It's not, strictly speaking, necessary. I've seen plenty of good TCS people come from "only" a CS background with math they picked up along the way. But yes, if it's an option available to you that you would enjoy and not be a burden, then I would recommend adding a math major (for the purposes of TCS) 100% :).  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-05-10. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Three benefits of math classes:

* Knowledge of particular mathematical topics that are useful in TCS. This is a bit specific to the circumstance, but of course it helps! Probability, combinatorics, algebra, sometimes analysis, number theory, logic, ....
* Mathematical maturity, general comfort with proofs and mathematical reasoning. Very important.
* Showing your qualifications on grad school applications.

But I think the specific classes you take and skills you gain are more important than whether you officially major in math or not.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: 'algebra' but "sometimes" 'analysis, number theory'?  
> **username_3**: @username_1 what is your question or comment? I think which classes are more useful varies throughout TCS.  

---

