The purpose (or lack thereof) of Algebra

[Constaniana]

Scrapping the teaching of algebra, trig, calculus, and so on to improve America's math scores makes as much sense as trying to win a horse race by replacing your thoroughbred stallion with an old blind ass.

Y won't you make your puns more variable?

Probably too busy with their Tan.

Nana will have to use moderation with that, Cos she could get skin cancer.

[Flyover]

Probably too busy with their Tan.

Nana will have to use moderation with that, Cos she could get skin cancer.

Puns this bad should be considered a sin.

I'm aware this is cheating. Yet I can't feel bad about it.

[Constaniana]

Nana will have to use moderation with that, Cos she could get skin cancer.

Puns this bad should be considered a sin.

I'm aware this is cheating. Yet I can't feel bad about it.

This infraction must be delta with much harshness.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Puns this bad should be considered a sin.

I'm aware this is cheating. Yet I can't feel bad about it.

This infraction must be delta with much harshness.

I think you guys went overboard with the tanning lotion. Or took too much UV from the tanning bed.

[Neutraligon]

Puns this bad should be considered a sin.

I'm aware this is cheating. Yet I can't feel bad about it.

This infraction must be delta with much harshness.

Your jokes are so bad I hurt myself, now I need someone to sine me out of the hospital.

[Dracoria]

Simple algebra is pretty damned easy. Wanna know something funny? I make use of algebra just playing video games. Tended to do so plenty back in City of Heroes, calculating mitigation, how many enhancements I should slot into this or that for maximized overall effectiveness against particular targets, so on. Nowadays, algebra and more complicated maths are still quite useful whenever I tinker around with RPG Maker and want to come up with a damage or healing calculation more complex than 'attack# - defense# = damage#'. In other words, I use complex maths just having fun. You should too.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Simple algebra is pretty damned easy. Wanna know something funny? I make use of algebra just playing video games. Tended to do so plenty back in City of Heroes, calculating mitigation, how many enhancements I should slot into this or that for maximized overall effectiveness against particular targets, so on. Nowadays, algebra and more complicated maths are still quite useful whenever I tinker around with RPG Maker and want to come up with a damage or healing calculation more complex than 'attack# - defense# = damage#'. In other words, I use complex maths just having fun. You should too.

We use algebra in everyday life. From driving, to walking to using the internet.

[Anglo-California]

Most sciences are pretty useless these days. All our kids need to know is the four humors, what the stars are trying to tell us, and how spot a witch.

[Greed and Death]

Let's discuss Algebra and other complicated branches of mathematics. No need for a lengthy OP.

Should Algebra be taught in schools? Trigonometry? Calculus? Should those classes be optional only for those with an interest in such complex subjects? Should there be alternatives - i.e., like they have at my school - such as Computer Programming classes counting as mathematical credits?

My thoughts: Algebra is mostly pointless. I can't think of any 'useful' part of Algebra that can't be solved much quicker and easier by use of simple arithmetic. Why not let the kids decide concerning what they take in high school. If they ever have to have Algebra for a job or something, they can have it in college. But I hypothesize that most - 99% - will never use Algebra. My business teacher at school says this as well.

you are thinking linearly adding a variable is useful in many situations in predicting an unknown outcome even when not seeking mathematical certainty.

[Salus Maior]

Simple algebra is pretty damned easy. Wanna know something funny? I make use of algebra just playing video games. Tended to do so plenty back in City of Heroes, calculating mitigation, how many enhancements I should slot into this or that for maximized overall effectiveness against particular targets, so on. Nowadays, algebra and more complicated maths are still quite useful whenever I tinker around with RPG Maker and want to come up with a damage or healing calculation more complex than 'attack# - defense# = damage#'. In other words, I use complex maths just having fun. You should too.

Strategy and strategy games rely heavily on it,ESPECIALLY NS.

I'm garbage at Algebra and I'm pretty decent at strategy and tactics in vidya games.

[Galloism]

>posts on nationstates using an object programmed using advanced mathematics

>claims algebra has no purpose.

[Salus Maior]

I'm garbage at Algebra and I'm pretty decent at strategy and tactics in vidya games.

Setting up effective pincer movements......Plotting where your opponent will strike next......You don't know it,but you are using Algebra.
Did I mention a Chess board looks like a graph?
Don't take me for a lover of Algebra,I HATE it,but no denying what it does...

So...I just naturally know Algebra O_o ...Whoa.

[Galloism]

I'm garbage at Algebra and I'm pretty decent at strategy and tactics in vidya games.

Setting up effective pincer movements......Plotting where your opponent will strike next......You don't know it,but you are using Algebra.
Did I mention a Chess board looks like a graph?
Don't take me for a lover of Algebra,I HATE it,but no denying what it does...

Comes in really handy when doing weight and balance and time/speed/distance calculations.

No need to memorize 10 different formulas. Memorize 2 and insert the X where necessary.

[Galloism]

Setting up effective pincer movements......Plotting where your opponent will strike next......You don't know it,but you are using Algebra.
Did I mention a Chess board looks like a graph?
Don't take me for a lover of Algebra,I HATE it,but no denying what it does...

So...I just naturally know Algebra O_o ...Whoa.

Naturally? No.

But the logical principles learned in Algebra persist into life.

[The Corparation]

>posts on nationstates using an object programmed using advanced mathematics

>claims algebra has no purpose.

One of my favorite things to hear is people talking about how they a) Hate Math and b) Want to go into Computer Science. Bonus points if they want to go into something extremely math heavy like 3D Graphics engines.

[Senyosu]

You hate capitalism.

If you hate algebra, trigonometry, calculus, derivatives, statistics (I can go on all day here) you hate technological progress, capitalism, and above all hate education for what it's worth.

Just go away and be an Amish or a hermit.

[The Black Forrest]

>posts on nationstates using an object programmed using advanced mathematics

>claims algebra has no purpose.

One of my favorite things to hear is people talking about how they a) Hate Math and b) Want to go into Computer Science. Bonus points if they want to go into something extremely math heavy like 3D Graphics engines.

That's the way of people these days. When i was starting out we took things apart to see how they worked and why. These days many people want to push a button and get paid a great deal of money for doing that.....

[Keyboard Warriors]

Let's discuss Algebra and other complicated branches of mathematics. No need for a lengthy OP.

Should Algebra be taught in schools? Trigonometry? Calculus? Should those classes be optional only for those with an interest in such complex subjects? Should there be alternatives - i.e., like they have at my school - such as Computer Programming classes counting as mathematical credits?

My thoughts: Algebra is mostly pointless. I can't think of any 'useful' part of Algebra that can't be solved much quicker and easier by use of simple arithmetic. Why not let the kids decide concerning what they take in high school. If they ever have to have Algebra for a job or something, they can have it in college. But I hypothesize that most - 99% - will never use Algebra. My business teacher at school says this as well.

My thoughts: You really haven't thought this through.

[Neutraligon]

One of my favorite things to hear is people talking about how they a) Hate Math and b) Want to go into Computer Science. Bonus points if they want to go into something extremely math heavy like 3D Graphics engines.

That's the way of people these days. When i was starting out we took things apart to see how they worked and why. These days many people want to push a button and get paid a great deal of money for doing that.....

Taking things apart is fun. System dynamics is fun Hooke's law in all its forms is really fun.

[Senyosu]

That's the way of people these days. When i was starting out we took things apart to see how they worked and why. These days many people want to push a button and get paid a great deal of money for doing that.....

Taking things apart is fun. System dynamics is fun Hooke's law in all its forms is really fun.

I want to take apart someone's brain. I also enjoy cognitive computer models.

tho the coding of it is tedious

still rewarding

but tedious

[Neutraligon]

Taking things apart is fun. System dynamics is fun Hooke's law in all its forms is really fun.

I want to take apart someone's brain. I also enjoy cognitive computer models.

tho the coding of it is tedious

still rewarding

but tedious

I've done a very low level of job taking apart someone's brain. It was interesting.

[Senyosu]

I want to take apart someone's brain. I also enjoy cognitive computer models.

tho the coding of it is tedious

still rewarding

but tedious

I've done a very low level of job taking apart someone's brain. It was interesting.

What was it for?

[Dyakovo]

Let's discuss Algebra and other complicated branches of mathematics. No need for a lengthy OP.

Should Algebra be taught in schools?¹ Trigonometry?² Calculus?³ Should those classes be optional only for those with an interest in such complex subjects?⁴ Should there be alternatives - i.e., like they have at my school - such as Computer Programming classes counting as mathematical credits?⁵

1: Yes.
2: Yes.
3: Yes.
4: No.
5: No.

[Maurepas]

Algebra should definitely be required at the High School level. However, I would posit that it's unnecessary at the Collegiate level. I've never understood requiring one to take a class in a High School subject at a college, especially with how expensive college is these days.

I do think requirements College degree programs should be limited to things that are actually required to train for the field in which one would be entering. It'd go a long way towards cutting the cost for the students I think.

[Atomic Utopia]

Algebra should definitely be required at the High School level. However, I would posit that it's unnecessary at the Collegiate level. I've never understood requiring one to take a class in a High School subject at a college, especially with how expensive college is these days.

I do think requirements College degree programs should be limited to things that are actually required to train for the field in which one would be entering. It'd go a long way towards cutting the cost for the students I think.

I honestly think it should be a middle school course with algebra one in the seventh grade, and algebra two in the eighth grade.