- Level Foundation
- Duration 38 hours
- Course by University of London
-
Offered by
About
“Welcome to Introduction to Numerical Mathematics. This is designed to give you part of the mathematical foundations needed to work in computer science in any of its strands, from business to visual digital arts, music, games. At any stage of the problem solving and modelling stage you will require numerical and computational tools. We get you started in binary and other number bases, some tools to make sense of sequences of numbers, how to represent space numerical using coordinates, how to study variations of quantities via functions and their graphs. For this we prepared computing and everyday life problems for you to solve using these tools, from sending secret messages to designing computer graphics. If you wish to take it further you can join the BSc Computer Science degree and complete the full module ‘Numerical Mathematics’. Enjoy!”Modules
Lesson 0 Introduction
1
Discussions
- 0.002 Tell us about you!
1
Videos
- 0.001 Overview of using Numerical Mathematics in Computing
3
Readings
- Acknowledgements
- 0.003 Technical requirements
- 0.004 Optional reading
Lesson 1.0 Introduction to number bases and modular arithmetic
1
Discussions
- 1.002 Number bases and modular arithmetic in computing
1
Videos
- 1.001 Introduction to number bases and modular arithmetic
1
Readings
- 1.003 Number bases summative quiz
Lesson 1.1 Number bases
5
Assignment
- 1.102 Identifying number bases
- 1.104 Integer binary to decimal
- 1.106 Translating from decimal to binary (integers)
- 1.108 Translating between decimal and binary fractional numbers
- 1.110 Rational and irrational numbers: decimal and binary
1
Discussions
- 1.111 Task: Algorithms to convert between binary and decimal
6
Videos
- 1.101 Introduction to number bases
- 1.103 Place value for integers: binary to decimal
- 1.105 Place value for integers: decimal to binary
- 1.107 Place value for fractional numbers: binary
- 1.109 Rational and irrational numbers: decimal and binary
- 1.114 Summary of binary system and getting ready for operations in binary
Lesson 1.2 Arithmetic in binary
3
Assignment
- 1.202 Addition in binary
- 1.204 Subtraction in binary
- 1.206 Multiplication in binary
3
Discussions
- 1.207 Task: Algorithm for addition, subtraction and multiplication of two-digit binary numbers - discussion
- 1.209 Discuss the algorithms for working in binary
- 1.211 Binary in computing
5
Videos
- 1.201 Addition in binary
- 1.203 Subtraction in binary
- 1.205 Multiplication in binary
- 1.208 Review of Tasks
- 1.210 Summary and context of binary in computing
Lesson 1.3 Summative quiz
1
Assignment
- 1.301 Binary (Number bases) summative quiz
Lesson 2.1 Octal and hexadecimal
3
Assignment
- 2.102 Translate between decimal and octal or hexadecimal (integer)
- 2.104 Translate between decimal and hexadecimal or octal (fractional)
- 2.106 Translate between binary and hexadecimal/octal
3
Videos
- 2.101 Octal and hexadecimal (integer)
- 2.103 Octal and hexadecimal (fractional)
- 2.105 Special relationship between binary and hexadecimal, and binary and octal
1
Readings
- 2.100 Number bases summative quiz
Lesson 2.2 Using number bases - steganography
1
Peer Review
- 2.205 Task: Steganography – submission and peer review
2
Discussions
- 2.202 Secret messages inside images (steganography)
- 2.204 Task: Steganography - discussion
1
Videos
- 2.201 Hidden messages inside an image
1
Readings
- 2.203 Task: Steganography – instructions
Lesson 2.3 Arithmetic; other bases
2
Assignment
- 2.302 Arithmetic in hexadecimal/octal
- 2.304 Other bases
1
Discussions
- 2.305 Algorithm for translating between decimal and any base
2
Videos
- 2.301 Arithmetic in hexadecimal/octal
- 2.303 Other bases
Lesson 2.4 Summary
1
Assignment
- 2.402 Number bases summative quiz
1
Videos
- 2.401 Summary
Lesson 3.0 Introduction to modular arithmetic
1
Videos
- 3.001 Introduction to modular arithmetic
1
Readings
- 3.002 Modular arithmetic summative quiz
Lesson 3.1 Modular arithmetic
4
Assignment
- 3.101 Clock arithmetic
- 3.103 Computing n mod k
- 3.105 Addition mod k
- 3.108 Computing additive inverses mod k
1
Discussions
- 3.107 Computing n mod k and using additive inverses
3
Videos
- 3.102 Computing n mod k
- 3.104 Addition mod k
- 3.106 Additive identity and inverse mod k
Lesson 3.2 Multiplication on modular arithmetic
3
Assignment
- 3.203 Multiplication mod k
- 3.205 Computing multiplicative inverses mod k; exponentiation mod k
- 3.207 Use the operator ‘rem’
1
Discussions
- 3.202 Tips and tricks in multiplication mod k
3
Videos
- 3.201 Multiplication mod k
- 3.204 Multiplicative identity, inverse mod k, exponentiation mod k
- 3.206 Mod, rem and division
Lesson 3.4 Summary
1
Assignment
- 3.402 Modular arithmetic summative quiz
1
Videos
- 3.401 Summary
Lesson 3.3 Using modular arithmetic
1
Peer Review
- 3.304 Task: Encryption using modular arithmetic – submission and peer review
2
Discussions
- 3.303 Task: Encryption using modular arithmetic – discussion
- 3.305 Reflect on discussions so far
1
Videos
- 3.301 Encryption using modular arithmetic
1
Readings
- 3.302 Task: Encryption using modular arithmetic – instructions
Lesson 4.0 Introduction to sequences and series
1
Videos
- 4.001 Introduction to sequences and series
2
Readings
- 4.002 Sequences and series summative quiz
- 4.003 Optional reading
Lesson 4.1 Defining sequences
2
Assignment
- 4.102 Patterns in sequences
- 4.104 Defining sequences and terms
2
Videos
- 4.101 Introduction to sequences of numbers
- 4.103 Defining sequences
Lesson 4.2 Arithmetic and geometric progressions
2
Assignment
- 4.202 Working with arithmetic progressions
- 4.204 Geometric progressions; sequences
2
Videos
- 4.201 Arithmetic progressions
- 4.203 Geometric progressions
Lesson 4.3 Using sequences
1
Discussions
- 4.306 Task: Generating random numbers
1
Videos
- 4.305 Task: Investigating random numbers
1
Readings
- 4.307 Task: Generating random numbers – instructions
Lesson 4.4 Summary
1
Assignment
- 4.402 Sequences and series summative quiz
1
Videos
- 4.401 Summary of sequences and preparation for next week
Lesson 5.1 Series
4
Assignment
- 5.103 Series: sums of terms of sequences; summation symbol: sigma notation
- 5.105 Finite sum of arithmetic sequences
- 5.107 Finite sum of geometric sequences
- 5.110 Finite sums
2
Discussions
- 5.102 Series: sums of terms of sequences; summation symbol: sigma notation
- 5.109 Finite sums
5
Videos
- 5.101 Series: sums of terms of sequences; summation symbol: sigma notation
- 5.104 Finite sum of arithmetic sequences
- 5.106 Finite sum of geometric sequences
- 5.108 Finite sums
- 5.111 Summary of series; infinite sequences and sums
1
Readings
- 5.100 Sequences and series summative quiz
Lesson 5.2 Convergence or divergence of sequences; infinite series
3
Assignment
- 5.202 Limits of sequences
- 5.205 Limits of series
- 5.208 Criteria for identifying convergent/divergent sequences and series
1
Discussions
- 5.207 Investigations in sequences and series
4
Videos
- 5.201 Patterns in infinite sequences; limit; convergence and divergence
- 5.204 Patterns in series; limit; convergent and divergent series
- 5.206 Criteria for identifying convergent/ divergent sequence and series
- 5.209 Summary of convergence
Lesson 5.3 Summary
1
Assignment
- 5.302 Sequences and series summative quiz
1
Videos
- 5.301 Summary of sequences and series
Lesson 6.0 Introduction to graph sketching and kinematics
1
Videos
- 6.001 Introduction to graph sketching and kinematics
2
Readings
- 6.002 Graph sketching and kinematics summative quiz
- 6.003 Optional reading
Lesson 6.1 Coordinates, lines in the plane and graphs
1
Assignment
- 6.104 Cartesian coordinates and conditions
1
Videos
- 6.101 Cartesian coordinates
Lesson 6.2 Functions and graphs
1
Assignment
- 6.205 Graphs and tables of values
1
Discussions
- 6.203 Task: Choosing a good window for displaying a graph - discussion
10
Videos
- 6.201 Introduction to functions and graphs
- 6.204 Functions and tables of values
- 6.206 Plotting graphs by hand - aspects to consider
- 6.207 Plotting graphs by hand – straight lines
- 6.208 Plotting graphs by hand - quadratics
- 6.209 Plotting graphs by hand - cubics
- 6.210 Plotting graphs by hand – higher order polynomials
- 6.211 Plotting graphs by hand – reciprocal
- 6.212 Plotting graphs by hand – rational functions
- 6.213 Plotting graphs by hand - piecewise
Lesson 6.3 Transformations of graphs
1
Assignment
- 6.302 Transformations of graphs
2
Videos
- 6.301 Transformations of graphs
- 6.307 Summary of graphs
Lesson 6.4 Kinematics
1
Assignment
- 6.402 Kinematic equations
2
Videos
- 6.401 Kinematic equations
- 6.403 Summary of kinematics
Lesson 6.5. Summary
1
Assignment
- 6.502 Graphs of functions and kinematics summative quiz
1
Videos
- 6.501 Summary
Auto Summary
"Mathematics for Computer Science" is a foundational course by Coursera focusing on essential numerical and computational tools for computer science. Covering binary systems, sequences, spatial coordinates, and functions, it integrates practical problems like secret messaging and computer graphics design. Ideal for beginners, the course spans 2280 minutes and offers a starter subscription, making it perfect for those looking to build a solid mathematical foundation in various computer science fields.
Omar Karakchi

Dr Matthew Yee-King