example in nature would be the wings of a butterfly). If a line of symmetry is drawn,
each point on one side of the line has a corresponding point on the opposite side of the
line. If you connect these two points, the line is perpendicular to the line of symmetry.
There is a more mathematical way of defining symmetry: Two points are symmetric
about a line if the line is the perpendicular bisector of the segment joining the two
points. Symmetry was used by ancient (and modern) architects to maintain visual and
sometimes structural balance of a building or structure.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
How is mathematics important to electrical engineering?
There are many branches of mathematics that are important to electrical engineering. For
example, abstract math is used in communication and signal processing. Complex differ-
ential equations—solving equations involving derivatives—are used in circuit theory and
systems design; also in circuit theory, engineers need to know algebra and trigonometry.
Engineers who deal with electromagnetism need to know calculus, especially Maxwell’s
equations. (For more about Maxwell, see “Math in the Physical Sciences.”) 339
MATH IN ENGINEERING
The patterns on a butterfly’s wings demonstrate the concept of symmetry in nature. The Image Bank/Getty
Images.