NPR had a very interesting piece on the importance of math in manufacturing (audio and text available). The summary is that today’s manufacturing in the United States requires a strong background in basic math (i.e. +, -, x, /, fractions, decimals and basic trigonometry). This is because most manufacturing is so precise and often computerized. In this case computerized doesn’t mean the computer does all the math for you. Here is a quotation from the article.
Having basic math knowledge, especially of decimals, is important because of the precise inputs modern machines need. Like most manufacturers, North American Tool uses CNC, or computer numerical control, equipment. CNC machines make everything from the cutting tool parts North American Tool makes to automotive and medical equipment.
But calling these machines computerized is almost a misnomer because there are still plenty of manual calculations. And if you’re off, even by a fraction, the equipment can crash.
Hoyt says a CNC crash usually happens because of a number that’s typed in wrong or calculated incorrectly. “I’ll hear a wreck in my office and pretty much the whole shop will get quiet,” he says. Those crashes can cost tens of thousands of dollars in fixing the expensive CNC machines and lost productivity.
So whether you are headed to college or not, you best have your basic math skills down.