Why do we need to learn how to do prime factorials?

Question

My nine year old asked me this. I told him for practice in breaking down math problems generally into smaller components. He wasn't entirely satisfied with that and doubted in real life anyone would need to do this. And in my computer networking work - I have never had to factorialize anything. :-) In college calculus I don't think it came up there either. So why do we "torture" the little guys with this stuff anyhow? :-) I imagine there is in fact a good answer.

Answer 1

The simple answer is that he is getting a "general education" right now, and needs to learn the fundamentals of math and science. I'm sure that as a computer network pro, you don't often have to think back to that frog disection in Biology class, either.
The real answer, though, is that in 25 years, his nine year old son will need help with Math homework, and he doesn't want to have to say, "Go ask your mother."