Concepts are everything in physics-intensive subjects, esp in DSP, circuit design.
In programming, you need clarity of thought and logical thinking. But AFAIK and I could be wrong since this is not my field, you guys dont need to understand a lot of concepts in physics and math.
Its a bit surprising that a person who specializes in DSP, a field that deals with evaluation of communication signals, doesnt know such a basic equation about the core signal studied in his field.
Of course, any TI calculator would tell him what is differntial of Cosx but thats beside the point.. point is, would you trust someone to be a good engineer who doesnt know basic concepts.. what if there is an aerospace engineer who cannot distinguish centripetal from centrifugal force or doesnt even know : F=m*a ?
Even if they make good engineers based on their long practical experience, how will they do any research or invent new products if their conceptual knowledge itself is weak ?
At WSMR, we hire a young electrical engineer that did not know Ohms law.
That was my first warning that this guy who obtained a college degree in Mexico, was not exactly being honest
He was soon fired for being an illegal.
Yes, some basics are required.
As for your equation, that is not a valid example.