Ask HN: Adult learning Calc

#1

Post by nubb » Sun, Nov 20, 2016, 4:04 PM UTC

For fun in my free time I'm writing a game in unity and c# where you pilot a plane. I could not find an auto pilot script so i am writing it from scratch.

While trying to figure out how to dynamically set the planes elevator deflection based on the planes vertical speed and distance from the desired altitude i discovered that writing an auto pilot involves some advanced math :)

My math resume ends at high school trig.

I am hoping to discover what flavor of math should i focus my studies on to achieve my goal and possibly hoping to avoid learning any fluff in the process.

Thanks all

Re: Ask HN: Adult learning Calc

#2

Post by danielvf » Sun, Nov 20, 2016, 4:28 PM UTC

This sounds like a fun project !

Have you looked into PID controlers? The basic idea is stupid simple and uses no big math.

Re: Ask HN: Adult learning Calc

#3

Post by PaulHoule » Sun, Nov 20, 2016, 4:32 PM UTC

See http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028970.do

Re: Ask HN: Adult learning Calc

#4

Post by FourierT-form » Sun, Nov 20, 2016, 4:53 PM UTC

I would start with vectors and physics.

Note that there is some basic calculus involved in both of those.

The Wikipedia is a bit dense, but if you take the time to follow links to concepts that you aren't familiar with you should be good.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_calculus

You might have done a little bit of calculus with High School trig without knowing it. Sometimes Trig is mixed in with Analysis for some nuanced reasons.

I would check out the Khan academy post for a basic grounding in calculus.

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/calculus-home/limits-and-co...

Re: Ask HN: Adult learning Calc

#5

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Nov 20, 2016, 4:53 PM UTC

[deleted]