calculus in the real world?

Question

Why do people prefer calculus to algebra?
Why does learning calculus reinforce critical thinking skills and problem solving in general?


Please only answer if you have and internet source to back it up

Answer 1

Both calculus and algebra are problem solving systems. Each teaches students how to solve certain types of problems. In doing so students learn to recognize known and unknown information in a given problem. They teach how to recognize what type of problem the student faces and using all available information, how to set up the equation needed to solve the problem. This means students must think in an orderly fashion, and in a logical, rational manner. Doing this over and over develops the habits of solid problem solving skills and critical thinking skills. As to why students prefer calculus over algebra, I've never heard of that in all my years of teaching. I have found the reverse to be true. Calculus when mentioned tends to be a conversation killer. Now, these skills we've been talking about, are not only necessary for doing math, they are needed in everyday life, at least that's true of algebra. In all my years, I have had numerous former students come back and tell me how glad they were to have taken algebra, how useful the problem solving skills have been in their lives, on things which had nothing to do with math!! This has been true of my A students and my C students alike.

Answer 2

Calculus is especially useful for calulating the rates at which things change with respect to each other. Here is a simple example:
Position - simple location
Velocity is the intergral of position, or the rate of change in position
Acceleration is the integral of velocity, or the rate of change in velocity.

Algebra does not lend itself to solving this type of problem anywhere near as well as Calculus does. If you were to start taking engineering classes, you would find that Calculus becomes a critical part of the mechanical design process.

Answering your specific question: Why does learning calculus reinforce critical thinking skills and problem solving in general?
If you never have to solve this type of problem, you may not have any reason to learn Calculus. If you are going into enginnering or any other profession that requires a hard science background, you need to learn Calculus.

Answer 3

It is not so much that mathematicians, scientists and engineers *prefer* calculus; they need it. There are complicated problems that cannot be solved without calculus.

Calculus does not really teach you more thinking/solving skill than algebra or geometry, but it does teach different kinds of skills. In particular, in calculus, you learn to deal effectively with infinite processes that "converge" to some result.

This idea of infinite limits allows you to draw conclusions about characteristics of shapes and functions which would be impossible to draw with just the methods available in geometry or algebra.

Answer 4

Algebra is simple arithmetic with variables.
Calculus envolves tons of problem solving such as Half Lifes, Angles, its basicly for Physics, Archetecture, and other critical thinking jobs in life.
Where as Algebra is used for normal daily activity.

Answer 5

So, you are rejecting the opinions of thousands of people, like me, that use calculus and engineering to solve all kinds of problems as part of our duties and responsibilities.

Sorry.

Answer 6

i really doubt it helps, i think that every day in math

Answer 7

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