do we really need to know all of the math we're learning in the REAL WORLD???

Question

i know people say that a lot of it is if you want to be an engineer or whatever job requires a lot of math. but i dont want to be an engineer! i want to be a writer and a pre school or kindergarten teacher.
why is our time being wasted learning a bunch of material we dont really need to know?
like reading class, i know how to read, who gives a crap?
can someone please tell me???

Answer 1

Math teaches people how to think through things logically. This is tragically a skill that many people lack. Even though you probably won't be using the specific math concepts you learn in school, the process of solving the problems is invaluable.

Answer 2

Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers need REALLY strong math foundations. You will be responsible for developing basic numeracy skills in so many young children that it is absolutely essential for you to have higher-order mathematical problem solving abilities. The same goes for reading, but even to a higher degree. Knowing how to read and how to do math doesn't mean that you'll be able to teach those same skills. So many students today are failing later in life because their teachers didn't have strong enough literacy and numeracy skills to pass on to their youngest students.

I think that if you want to become a teacher you're going to have to re-think your attitude towards education. There are skills you learn in math class that go beyond calculations. Same for reading. For example, the more you read the more you build your vocabulary. When you learn new words you can make connections with words in other languages, which makes it easier to travel abroad. Curriculum is usually a means to an end, not an end in itself. It's not so important for you to know the GNP of Peru; it's important for you to understand how countries manage their money and how international economies differ from your own. This is the type of thing you would learn if you did a BEd degree in ECE. Ask yourself how you will get four-year-olds excited about school if your own attitude is so negative.

And while you may THINK you know how to read, your writing skills on Yahoo Answers do not reflect a high level of literacy.

Answer 3

People have different interests, strengths, and weaknesses, and these can change throughout life. The purpose of grade and high school (and even university) is to provide the student with a well-balanced education in order to leave the most opportunities open for their students. In a few years, you may find yourself interested in engineering or programming. As a teacher, you may find yourself in a situation where (further down the line) you're teaching more and more advanced math to younger and younger students.

At any rate, there are a lot of uses for those pesky math classes as an adult even though you may not use calculus for the rest of your life. When you're carpeting a house, you need to be able to calculate the square footage of your floor, and you will definitely want to balance your check book.

Don't give up. I'm currently at uni studying communications, and I wish I hadn't coasted in my high school algebra courses. It can really come back to haunt you.

Answer 4

The more you learn about literature, the better writer you will be. In college composition courses (which are always required), reading and studying the writers' methods is part of the process.

Everything we learn, even if it is not part of our main occupation, becomes a part of who we are. It broadens our scope and makes us more interesting human beings.

I took Chemistry in college for no other reason than interest. It was not part of my degree program.

A teenager once said that he plans to own his own business and didn't need to know math. I asked him how he would handle the books for his business. He said he would hire an accountant to handle all of his money. My question was: If the accountant can do the figures and you can't.... Which of you do you think will have the most money? :o)

Knowledge brings freedom. Slave owners throughout history knew that, and so deprived the slaves of any education in order to keep them enslaved. Even if you never use some knowledge for occupational pursuits, you may find it handy for other things. For example: I answer questions in the homework section on many subjects, not only my own college major. It's nice to be able to help others.

Sue

Answer 5

I studied a great sort of math including Trig and Calculus, and function by no skill used any of it previous Algebra a million and a few Geometry in my on a daily basis life. Engineers, Physicists, Mathematicians, and a few others do use superior math, in spite of the undeniable fact that, so it desires to verify. the only reason that i can work out for others to verify this is that there is a few evidence that study like this enhance the skill to think of and reason.

Answer 6

Half of the things I learned in college, I have never used. They say they want you to have a well rounded education and WILL use them eventually. NOT SO. The only thing some of my learning has done. is to help people with their homework questions on yahoo answers. It is a waste of 2 years. They could replace some of those courses with courses for your major..I would rather know more about what to expect in my major..with my job than what happened in History in 1400 or college algebra. Now you know why so many people go to tech. schools..they only learn what it necessary.

Answer 7

I say because you need to learn the basics of math and you need to know how to speak correctly. Your time isn't being wasted your just getting smarter. Perhaps you do know how to read but you can further your vocabulary by learning more.

Answer 8

I guarantee you that if you don't understand why you need to be proficient in mathematics, then you definitely need to continue with your reading, writing, and arithematic lessons.

Math teaches you to problem solve, and that is a huge part of a successful life. Math teaches you to gather information, retrieve resources, and come up with solutions. Math is the cornerstone of being able to think logically.

Answer 9

you can get by without knowing much math, but there is plenty of usefulness for all the math of non-advanced courses.

the greatest reward for being less educated is when you have children and are less capable at stimulating their mind. it'll bet you can't wait to send them online to Yahoo! Answers for help with their homework.

Answer 10

No. You think it is useless now. I am 57 now and wished I would have learned more than I did.When you need it you don't have it.If you know it you have it. WHICH IS BETTER?