Why is mathematics important in our society?

Question

Should math be an optional course in college? Due to the fact some of us do not want to become math's teacher, scientists, etc. I mean what is the point of learning Alegbra, and Geomentry if we are not going to apply it in everday life? I understand the point of consumer math. But, not the other math. Why is math so important in our society besides consumer math? Is the pushing of math going overboard in our society.

Answer 1

Strangely enough- you are right: Except for special applications, in day to day living math has almost a zero role. Of course, logic is critical - but this is taught much better by formal logic course than via math. Even in the life sciences, other than making a Beer graph or using statistics, it does not really have a role. Nor does it has one in computing: variables in computer programs are not algebraic.
The Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) has actually suggested in the 80's that programming students be taught foreign languages - as they are better predictors of programming skill. What math training is good for is accustoming a student to think abstractly, and this can be valuable. But on the whole, math training should be replaced by logic training, but one still needs to have a brief discussion of the major techniques, so that students know that they are available, when engineers try to optimize something, for example. On the whole, you are right.

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Answer 2

Math is (from my perspective) the course that everyone should take. Sure, we may not apply a hypotnuse or the quadratic formula to everyday life, but we sure as hell need to learn that in school because if we decide to do some experiments on how far a 2 ton truck can fly in the air from a 67 degree angle with a 5 mile wind to the northwest, then yea. We better know it, or we'll scratch our heads wondering why we have the laws of physics. It all dates back to the kindergarden era. The A-B-C's and 1-2-3's. Those simple rhymes is what everything starts out from. Confusing? Probably. Informative? Doubtful. Did you spent 30 seconds reading this damn thing? Yes.

Answer 3

For some people, math comes naturally. For others, they struggle with it.

Basic math (consumer math as you call it) is essential for everyday function.

Algebra and Geometry are useful tools to help in learning not only maths but also other sciences.

Math is a Tool, the better tools you have at your disposal, the better you can do a job. Just like a wordprocessor on a computer, it is better than a type-writer. Basic math is like a type-writer.

Now you may asked, "Why learn to use a wordprocessor, when a type-writer is good enough?"

Answer 4

Hi:

I like math because it an adventure and it in every day things it helps you solve problems, and history was made or lost because of it. For two thousand years men have struggled with it some lost and some won. It lead men to some amazing discoveries, it the how our civilization was built. Men could not even go to the moon without it . It in nature and it designs and in man made things and art, paintings . It show up in the darnest and funniest places. It's the language of the universe. The best part of it is: You use it every day.

I'll point you in the right direction. Here's some books to start you on a adventure of your own.

Will you take the challenge?

Answer 5

The entire world revolves around the concepts of math. Math is one of the truest things in the universe.

Watch the TV show "Numbers" sometime and you will appreciate the usefulness of Math much more. It should be on tomorrow night on either ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX. (Can't remember which one)

Math is everywhere. Without math we would not be able to use Yahoo! Answers, either.

Answer 6

IMPORTANCE OF MATHEMATICS: A LECTURE BY TIMOTHY GOWERS, THE
Mathematics and Computer Education, Winter 2004 by Ashbacher, Charles

THE IMPORTANCE OF MATHEMATICS: A LECTURE BY TIMOTHY GOWERS A lecture at the Clay Mathematics Institute Millennium Meeting, May 24-25, 2000. Approximately 60 minutes in length. Marketed by Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010, 1-800-SPRINGER(I-800-7774643), $39.95, http://www.springer-ny.com/

The main theme of this lecture is that no area of mathematics is independent of any other. Growers puts forward a hypothetical finance minister who wishes to cut the budget by eliminating funding for the areas of mathematics that do not provide direct financial benefit. he then demonstrates that due to the interconnected nature of the areas of mathematics, there is no area that can be cut without having consequences on many other areas, at least one of which is almost certain to have direct financial benefit. Using several areas of mathematics Growers creates a full circle by stepping from one field to another using links wherever one area was used to prove results in another.

A secondary theme of the lecture is that mathematics is a fundamental pillar of civilization, both in the practical and in the esthetic sense. There is a point in the career of all research mathematicians where they are certain they have the answer or proof because their technique is too crisp and clean to be otherwise. Some who are otherwise agnostic refer to this as God's version of the proof. Gowers mentions the notion of mathematical beauty several times, giving examples of how he defines it.

Mathematics students (invariably) and mathematicians (often) fail to appreciate how interconnected the different areas of mathematics are. Gowers shows quite clearly and strongly that the number of internal links from one field of mathematics to another is just as numerous and varied as the links to fields other than mathematics. all mathematics students should watch this tape in order to better understand the broad reach yet tight internal bindings that make mathematics the incredibly rich and valuable field that it is.

Reviewed by Charles Ashbacher http ://www. ashbacher. com

Copyright Mathematics and Computer Education Winter 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Answer 7

What makes you think God didn't like these people? The Jews were the "chosen ones." That means, God had a special relationship with them, so that they could show God to the world. The Jews were special, but to show God to all, not keep Him for themselves. This was still happening somewhat when Jesus came, but, they were no longer doing it quite the way God originally wanted, so, Jesus came to change things. The Jews did not like the Samaritans, but, Jesus spoke to them (when no orthodox Jew would), and he used a Samaritan as a positive example in a parable. The Egyptians practically invented geometry, and land measurement, and their methods came to be used widely, and in fact still are today. Arabs invented the Zero, although this was after Jesus' time, and again, we still use that idea today. In many of these cases, God had His own relationships with them. Your talk of lies and deceit are not correct. You seem to be suggesting that a true Christian would not learn math, as it comes from a hated people. Nice try! It simply isn't true. Babylonians also accepted God, albeit not in the Jewish way. It is not us and them - it is us and us, as far as God is concerned.

Answer 8

maths is the basis of every thing we know in this world.
its just the way of how u look at things.if u look at maths as a boring sub than its always gonna b boring.but if u actually sit down n solstart solving problems with heart n soul into it than u won't even notice how the time passes n to know the time u have to know maths.

Answer 9

math is not a punishment. math is the only perfect thing on earth. it is infallable. it is the production of mathematics and/or the regardless influence that people use to intimidate other people with math that makes it less than desirable. math should be optoinal always, just as the truth is optonal.trust math but not those who tell you that they are mathematicians.

Answer 10

As you get out into the work world, you will discover that math will serve you well even if you flip burgers for a living.