Quote Originally Posted by TheNecrocomicon View Post
But now the author is deliberately using trite BS about "fixing problems by hitting them with a wrench" for Andi to taunt and gloat to Bandana or "gotta go do my trigonometry homework" in the source of Andi's resentment and entitlement.
Trigonometry, the study of triangles, is probably part of the required training to be an engineer on an airship. After all, with the way it's built, there are at least two sets of non-perpendicular forces acting on each point. For instance, the gas bag has load on the bits where it supports the hull, it also has load coming from head on and the sides when in flight (particularly when turning), and it has load at the rear where the fins and their control linkages are. Depending on the rigidity of the envelope and whatever connects the gas bag to the hull, if you make a mistake in working out what sort/how strong/which direction the stresses are at each point of load, the gas bag and the hull could part company.

Trigonometry is also certainly a requirement for navigation. Maybe Andi wanted to take a different career path than engineer, but couldn't handle the abstract calculations required?

So, no, there is no reason to see Andi trying to do her trig homework while babysitting as being a nerd, as an indicator of the stereotypical lack-of-social-skills-but-academically-gifted engineer. Andi trying to do her trig homework while babysitting is simply an indicator that she's trying to get to grips with the required material to do a job on an airship.