perhaps the teachers should teach algebra and then show students how the concepts could be applied… then we will know what is useful and what isn’t

When you say 9th grade algebra, do you mean Algebra 2? I’m in 10th grade taking Calculus: 7th grade = Algebra 1 (got a 98%) 8th grade = Geometry (got a 89%) 9th grade = Algebra 2 (got an 99%) Summer between 9th and 10th = Trigonometry (got a 91%) 10th grade = Calculus (getting a 94%) If it is just Algebra 1, you should be fine and have no problems. If it is Algebra 2, you might want to relearn some Algebra 1. But I would recommend you stay where you are at right now.

As a corporate trainer several of the classes that I teach/instruct the course participants needed the higher level of math skills. In one of the courses the course designers added a quick review of the Pythagorean theory even though everyone in the class has a minimum three year collage diploma. This was done just to make sure that everyone was playing on the same field.

When I started my career a LONG time ago I couldn’t possibly dream that I’d ever use the math that I had in high-school and collage and post diploma training but every now and then I have found that algebra and geometry have actually been needed. Go figure my old high school teacher was right someday I would need this stuff.

You will use math everyday. Let me list a few careers you may be pursuing that includes math and more specifically algebra:

Business, Engineering, Medicine, Automechanics, Finance, Law, Research, Economics, Computer Programming, Architecture, …

I would guess most careers use math/algebra to some extent. Personally, you will use algebra and math when you buy a house, determine a budget, purchase a car, figure gas mileage, plan trips, helping your kids with their homework. Math and algebra are a very universal language and not knowing math puts you at a very distinct disadvantage compared to others.

Before you can do a tax form you need to understand the fundamentals. Oddly enough there are careers that use formulas to determine how many deer will be dead in 5 years. They present these questions to help you realize there are many career opportunities out there and these questions just might help you decide on something you are interested in.

In college, during my calculus II class a student once asked my professor how a particular problem applies to the real word. His response was kind of like this, “I know a lot of people ask this question a lot about math, but I have never heard people ask this question about art.” He’s right.

Many things we learn in school we won’t ever use again. What’s the point of learning about Degas? Sure he painted pretty pictures, but its not like I’m going to use that in my future career. Why read Hamlet? Why learn about the ancient Egyptians? Why learn to play the violin?

It would save us so much time and anguish if students just picked an area they’re good at and only took classes pertaining to that subject.

However, that would create a very narrow minded person. Different classes give people different perspectives of life. Art helps you express your creativity. History teaces you about past mistakes and different cultures. Literature gives you insight into the human condition. Art helps you express yourself creatively. History teaches you about the mistakes of mankind. Literature gives you insight into the human condition. Algebra teaches you to think logically in different ways.

The most important thing is that a well rounded education creates a more well rounded, fuller, better person.

it’s useful because it causes people to think and solve problems. is also used in real life as far as I can see. example, you have so much money and you want to by multiple of something. you know how much it costs (and can figure tax in). the equation would be (amount of money)/(price * 1.(tax))= number you can get. this is what most people think of algebra. but it does teach you how to solve problems that may not be math related at all. although there may not be an equation for it, you still go through the steps you would if you were, just subconsiously.

EDIT: oh, and if you take an accounting class, or a class that may delve into money management, you will use algebra. calculating interest is one of the big ones you’ll do in there.

I totally agree that the basics should be taught in school. HOWEVER, algebra teaches people how to problem-solve and think logically. It’s a transferable skill that works with ANY and EVERY career. I’m not a math person, but I see the need for both algebra and geometry (my arch nemesis).

As someone who struggled with math, I learned as I got older that a lot of the things in Algebra class really did apply to daily life. For that reason, before I went back to college for the second time, I took a refresher Algebra class. I’m glad I did.

As for your other comments, there are classes being offered in some schools now called “life skills” which address some of these issues.

P.S. As a grammar “flamer”, I applaud you for working on yours — it’s not easy, but you’re doing it. Good for you.

Hmm. I kind of agree with you. I’ll be a sophomore next year in high school, but I’m a year ahead of most people my grade in math. I’ve taken algebra the past 2 years, and will continue it next year with trig. But I don’t think that you just need the basics. Learning how to solve 3x+6=12 isn’t enough to get through life. I’m not saying that you need to get through calculus or anything, because who honestly uses calculus in their lives??? Aside from a major math whiz who need that from their job? But I do think that algebra is important. It’s the first kind of math we learn in junior high/middle school, along with geometry. It sets us up for harder types of math (not that we NEED to know them). My parents have occasionally needed to use their algebra in their lives, just not very often. But those occasions have always been more difficult than that 3x+6=12 example I gave earlier. For me personally, algebra is pretty easy. Once you get the basics, it’s easier to understand everything else. But I do agree with you that math textbooks need to give accurate statistics. The rates they give are completely inaccurate and unrealistic. And I do agree that everyone in high school should take a class in how to fill out a tax form and budget. You are probably going to do that way more in your life than use some kind of advanced math. Anyway, I just saw this and figured I should give my opinion. I’m interested to see what other people say!

Algebra is extremely necessary in everyday life. All the things you describe require a certain amount of algebra. Figuring out what is the best deal at the grocery store, for example, or figuring out how much you can spend at the grocery store, both require you to figure out what x is equal to.

ALL things real are algebra

Look at a U.S. Income Tax Form

It’s ALL ALGEBRA

So is computer programming.

So is Chemestry

So is Physics

So is STATSTICS

You can’t escape it

EVEN if you stock shelves at K-MART!

Your shelf hold 100 items

You have 20 items to stock it with and it looks bare

You tell the manager you need X more items.

Sorry, that’s ALGEBRA!