93VettePilot

I was one of those boys in school who never understood the need for mathematics as a teenager. Not until I was 35 did I start getting interested in math. My stepfather is an engineer and regularly helps me figure out thermodynamic questions for home heating and cooling.

What kind of mathematical equations do you use when designing a car?

Thanks in advance,

Shaka

Only one: e=mc^2

jcthorne

If you are serious in this endeavor, I suggest you check out the publications at the SAE web site. GM (and other auto manufactures) regularly publish well written and documented white papers on a number of automotive engineering subjects including specific aspects of thermal and dynamics design of the Corvette. Some are free and in the public domain, some have a small cost involved, usually waived for members.

jvp

This question was asked almost 2 years ago. Why on Earth Shaka decided to dredge it up is beyond me. Specially with a useless answer.

jcthorne

Oh, sorry. Did not see that. Was just trying to be helpful.

ffr1352

93vettepilot,

When i graduated in 1984 most of the auto companies were hiring mainly mechanical and electrical engineers in the top 20% of the class and these engineers learned hundreds of equations/math formulas to get their degrees most of which are used to some degree in auto design.

The biggest change today is with all the sophisticated CAD programs that help do the designing the mathematical formulas/calculations now are built into the programs. Yes, it is still good to know the theory and be able to hand check with the formulas to be able to double check. Sometimes it is easier/faster/cheaper to test the finished product and tweak as needed in which case no mathematical formulas are needed!