The purpose (or lack thereof) of Algebra

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Balance a see-saw without algebra. Let's see you measure the force of magnets with simple Arithmetic. How do you measure gravity? Let's see you explain the theory of relativity without algebra. Remember the shuttles? Explain how we can get them up there; do their work and return. What about GPS systems? etc., etc., etc.......

Great. How can that be used for a person's benefit? How can that have a practical purpose? If they are curious, they can learn it themselves or take the elective. But most do not have an interest in Algebra, and should not be expected to.

I would argue that Algebra is holding us back from being the number 1 mathematically literate country in the world. People wonder why test scores have been dropping for the past fifty years. We've made Algebra and other useless branches of mathematics more important than practical mathematics.

My senses...

Depletion of oxygen is necessary.

[The Black Forrest]

Balance a see-saw without algebra. Let's see you measure the force of magnets with simple Arithmetic. How do you measure gravity? Let's see you explain the theory of relativity without algebra. Remember the shuttles? Explain how we can get them up there; do their work and return. What about GPS systems? etc., etc., etc.......

Great. How can that be used for a person's benefit? How can that have a practical purpose? If they are curious, they can learn it themselves or take the elective. But most do not have an interest in Algebra, and should not be expected to.

I would argue that Algebra is holding us back from being the number 1 mathematically literate country in the world. People wonder why test scores have been dropping for the past fifty years. We've made Algebra and other useless branches of mathematics more important than practical mathematics.

Practical mathematics? Oh my. Ok Such as........

You do understand those countries which are beating us study Algebra right?

[Neutraligon]

Those classes should be electives. The vast majority of students probably won't get jobs in which algebra, calculus, etc. would be involved. Requiring all students to take those useless classes is just a waste of tax money.

Those classes teach critical thinking and problem solving skills, to very important things every citizen should be capable of.

[Ratateague]

Those classes should be electives. The vast majority of students probably won't get jobs in which algebra, calculus, etc. would be involved. Requiring all students to take those useless classes is just a waste of tax money.

Just like Basic Research because they don't have a direct, instantaneous payoff, amirite?

[Lenciland]

You will learn the importance of math when you exit high school, algebra is the foundations for all engineering and science. Without a knowledge of algebra you cannot program, determine critical buckling, or design a bridge. To put it simply a knowledge of algabra is required to be an engineer of any variety. And if you do not want to learn it, I would recommend you get comfortable with working in the mostly low paying services industry.

Most folks aren't engineers, and the engineering field is not a big deal these days.

Yep, because the power, water, roads, buildings, dams, and any other thing that you use isn't created, transported, or maintained by engineers or anything! It's not like engineering is a rapidly growing, interesting field or anything.

Maybe you should just quit complaining about school and learn it. I loved school, and I'm better off for it. Deal with it, you'll use algebra everyday of your life whether you realize it or not. Algebra is a quicker, simpler way of doing all of that simple arithmetic, it isn't hard.

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

Great. How can that be used for a person's benefit? How can that have a practical purpose? If they are curious, they can learn it themselves or take the elective. But most do not have an interest in Algebra, and should not be expected to.

I would argue that Algebra is holding us back from being the number 1 mathematically literate country in the world. People wonder why test scores have been dropping for the past fifty years. We've made Algebra and other useless branches of mathematics more important than practical mathematics.

My senses...

Depletion of oxygen is necessary.

You have to love it

[Flyover]

Is algebra not what allows us to even have this discussion through computers and the Internet?

I personally despise math with a rage equaling -maybe surpassing- only my hate for bad poetry, watery salsa, and untied shoes. That is to say, a lot of hate.

However, even if algebra can be replaced with normal math (which I highly doubt) that's not a reason to get rid of it. I could walk from California to New York just fine, but a car makes it easier. Likewise, algebra is another way to reach the same conclusion that is meant to be -and usually is- faster than basic mathematical means. Still assuming that your assertion that algebra = normal math but more complex is true, which it's not.

I don't need world history in my daily life. I don't need to know the different moral theories and how they apply in my daily life. I don't need to know how to write a poem in my daily life. I don't need to know how to give an effective speech, or to persuade others in my daily life. All of these things are taught in school, of course, and they still hold value if I don't personally need them. I can benefit from others having learned them in how they contribute to society.

[The Black Forrest]

I have trouble with multiplication, the math solving parts of my brain are for all intents and purposes retarded.

Regardless I understand the importance of math and algebra.

That's how we used to think. We didn't fear or get intimidated by people being better at something.

[Salus Maior]

You will learn the importance of math when you exit high school, algebra is the foundations for all engineering and science. Without a knowledge of algebra you cannot program, determine critical buckling, or design a bridge. To put it simply a knowledge of algabra is required to be an engineer of any variety. And if you do not want to learn it, I would recommend you get comfortable with working in the mostly low paying services industry.

^This.
While Algebra is a pain,it also is EXTREMELY fundamental in military strategy and tactics.
I find it painful and complex,but strategems such as the Pincer Attack and Left hook cannot be executed without a decent knowledge of Algebra.
I know this,and I am making a tactics club at my school tomorrow or sometime this week,and I bet my students/pupils and/or my fellow strategists will be shocked of the importance of Algebra in military strategy.

Just to prove my point(somewhat),does a Chess board not look like a graph?

How so? I have a decent understanding of tactics and strategy, and yet I'm garbage at Algebra.

[Neutraligon]

Those classes should be electives. The vast majority of students probably won't get jobs in which algebra, calculus, etc. would be involved. Requiring all students to take those useless classes is just a waste of tax money.

Just like the Basic Sciences because they don't have a direct, instantaneous payoff, amirite?

how about English, we should get rid of that...oh and PE, and language, and and and.

The purpose of school below college is to give a general education so that students will still have open doors after high school.

[The Sotoan Union]

Indeed, when I went to college at first I had no idea what I wanted to become. It would have been impossible to become an engineer without classes in algebra, calc, and geometry, all of which feature heavily in my path as an engineer (hello robots).

That's great! But should everyone be expected to take those classes? Keep specialization in mind.

The public school system is like the opposite of specialization.

[The Black Forrest]

Those classes should be electives. The vast majority of students probably won't get jobs in which algebra, calculus, etc. would be involved. Requiring all students to take those useless classes is just a waste of tax money.

Ok. Math is tough for you. Find what you are good at.

[Tubbsalot]

I would argue that Algebra is holding us back from being the number 1 mathematically literate country in the world.

If you don't understand algebra, you have the mathematical grasp of a five-year-old. It is absolutely fundamental to any problem more complex than "i have one apple and i get another one, how many apples do i have."

Education should be broad and comprehensive because people generally don't know what they want to do until well after the bulk of their education. If someone realises they'd like to do any sort of science/engineering/financial/statistical/organisational work, and they didn't take algebra because 95% of everyone hates maths, then they're fucked. Because they're looking at, like, a decade of mathematical education before they can do what they're interested in.

Edit: And I'd note that any argument along the lines of "99% of people won't get jobs involving that" is valid for not just maths, but also English, science, music, history, politics, sports... you can't make everything elective.

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

Those classes should be electives. The vast majority of students probably won't get jobs in which algebra, calculus, etc. would be involved. Requiring all students to take those useless classes is just a waste of tax money.

So you're not good at it?
So lets take away future education?
No wonder they call you a redneck.

[Neutraligon]

Most folks aren't engineers, and the engineering field is not a big deal these days.

Yep, because the power, water, roads, buildings, dams, and any other thing that you use isn't created, transported, or maintained by engineers or anything! It's not like engineering is a rapidly growing, interesting field or anything.

Maybe you should just quit complaining about school and learn it. I loved school, and I'm better off for it. Deal with it, you'll use algebra everyday of your life whether you realize it or not. Algebra is a quicker, simpler way of doing all of that simple arithmetic, it isn't hard.

No of course not, it's not like engineers and scientists do anything like...design practically every product you use.

[-The Unified Earth Governments-]

I have trouble with multiplication, the math solving parts of my brain are for all intents and purposes retarded.

Regardless I understand the importance of math and algebra.

That's how we used to think. We didn't fear or get intimidated by people being better at something.

What?

All I'm saying is that I have a mathematics solving deficiency and support algebra.

[Nord Amour]

We could cease teaching algebra, but I'm fairly confident that people would rather keep their bridges, cell towers, etc.

[The Carlisle]

As a physics major, I realize the important of algebra and how hard it is. It takes years to learn algebra. Which is why its a great thing that high schools require it as an essential course. Without algebra, physics and engineering is impossible.

[Great Nepal]

...I am sitting here wondering how you would be able to write even the simplest program without algebra...

[Lenciland]

Yep, because the power, water, roads, buildings, dams, and any other thing that you use isn't created, transported, or maintained by engineers or anything! It's not like engineering is a rapidly growing, interesting field or anything.

Maybe you should just quit complaining about school and learn it. I loved school, and I'm better off for it. Deal with it, you'll use algebra everyday of your life whether you realize it or not. Algebra is a quicker, simpler way of doing all of that simple arithmetic, it isn't hard.

No of course not, it's not like engineers and scientists do anything like...design practically every product you use.

I know right, everyone knows that electricity is magic! This computer was built by an elf!

[The Black Forrest]

Indeed, when I went to college at first I had no idea what I wanted to become. It would have been impossible to become an engineer without classes in algebra, calc, and geometry, all of which feature heavily in my path as an engineer (hello robots).

That's great! But should everyone be expected to take those classes? Keep specialization in mind.

Why limit people? One of our best rocket engineers (name escapes me) was a coal miners son. We would loose out on people who discover they are good at something they never thought of.....

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

...I am sitting here wondering how you would be able to write even the simplest program without algebra...

Try calculating Togo's flag without algebra

[Neutraligon]

As a physics major, I realize the important of algebra and how hard it is. It takes years to learn algebra. Which is why its a great thing that high schools require it as an essential course. Without algebra, physics and engineering is impossible.

As is economics, and practically any other field of science. Holy hell I don't want to even think about what would happen to our education in those fields should those not be required classes. We already are doing badly in comparison to other countries I really don't want to do worse.

[The Carlisle]

Those classes should be electives. The vast majority of students probably won't get jobs in which algebra, calculus, etc. would be involved. Requiring all students to take those useless classes is just a waste of tax money.

So you're not good at it?
So lets take away future education?
No wonder they call you a redneck.

I'm sure rednecks have a better understanding of algebra. How else would they know how to repair their trucks and tractors or shoot 'coons?

[Super-Llamaland]

Have you ever tried algebra?

As a math teamer, I've seen tons of people who are bad at math improve a ton over it. In addition, math is just as important as other subjects, if not more.

And how the **** is [b]polynomials/b] obscure?