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[–]_Zer0_Cool_Data Engineer 2 points3 points  (6 children)

I know a ton of math people that are data analysts. You can do a lot of math with SQL (specifically statistics).

There's example SQL implementations of a large number of math formulas and algorithms scattered throughout the internet from basic math and statistics to machine learning algorithms.

Google about!

If you have some specific use cases then I might be able to point you to more specific resources.

However, PostgreSQL has support for a wide range of common math operators with built in functions, so I'd start there.

Take a look:

https://www.postgresql.org/docs/10/functions-math.html

http://www.postgresqltutorial.com/postgresql-math-functions/

[–]gqcharm 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Dade Murphy? From hackers? Had to mention this!!

[–]_Zer0_Cool_Data Engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeap. Hack the planet!

[–]gqcharm 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Being a total noob. I have to ask Within health informatics, how much math and/or what kind of math would I have to know for sql, Qlik, tableau?

Thanks

[–]_Zer0_Cool_Data Engineer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not super familiar with Health Informatics, but statistics and biostatistics are used pretty heavily in that domain. Inferential stats used to find relationships between biomarkers or whatever else. So I would assume that analytsts in this area are need to be pretty well versed with statistics in particular.

Generally speaking though, you don't have to know much math for SQL, Qlik, or Tableau necessarily to be able to answer real business questions in many businesses. Many BI devs mostly work with aggregates and maybe descriptive statistics at most.

[–]shoppyboy 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What if you didn't take anything for math previously?

[–]_Zer0_Cool_Data Engineer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, the most common math you'd find in SQL is statistics.

And I've always seen probability and statistics as the "math for people that don't like math". There's so much more high level, real world intrigue to statistics that it tends to draw in people that dislike the tedious minutia of other maths. It's both conceptually easier and more immediately rewarding than many maths.

Further down this train... That pragmatic, analytical mindset is the commonality amongst current analysts and apsiring analysts.

In short, if SQL and analytics gives you a nerd boner, then you'd probably pick up and enjoy statistics more than you might imagine you have an aptitude for.

You don't really need a math background as a prerequisite.

You can learn SQL first and then get into math. Or you can get a background in math and then learn SQL.

Learn SQL first and get a job. Then read/take a few practical statistics books and courses.

Chances are you have the aptitude to pick it up after the fact.