Can someone tell me what purpose Algebra has in real life?

Question

I just finished my last ever Algebra course, yet I have made it almost 30 years without ever needing to know most of the information covered in the class. I got an A in the class, but it has left me wondering...Who uses Algebra and why does everyone need to learn it if not everyone uses it?

Answer 1

if you really think about it you use things like that every day. think about this example, if you are cooking and you need x cups of water to 3 cups of flour, that is algebra. other than that you really only need a good basis in real life problem solving to get by.

Answer 2

Algebra is used to find the patterns in numbers.

Algebra is used so much that we do not even realize it. Then, when someone
tells us they have an algebra problem we think it is something new and
incomprehensible. For instance, if you have $5.00 to buy lunch for yourself
and a friend at McWendie's you have to decide how much you can afford to buy
before you place your order. You check the prices of the items you are
interested in and make sure the total (with tax if you want to be complete)
is less than $5.00. Hopefully others will post business types of uses but I
challenge you to evaluate what you do every day -- I bet you find a signifi-
cant amount of algebra!
(How much time do I have before I MUST leave if I want to meet my friend at
McWendie's at 12:00. How much money do I need. Should I buy the SuperFries
and a Hamburger or the Superburger and a drink, -- can I afford either one
-- It is all algebra!)
Machinists use geometry and trigonometry all the time. Mostly this is in
the planning stages. The machinist either comes up with a design for what
he/she is building, or an engineer gives a design to the machinist. The
machinist has to be able to calculate all of the angles and lengths for each
piece and cut them on the appropriate machine (lathe, press, or whatever) to
within the specified tolerance. Without algebra, it is pretty hard to do
trigonometry. after all, c^2 = a^2 + b^2 is the equation to solve for right
triangles, and to solve this equation for a (for example), you need algebra.

I have done a bit of machine-shop work myself, so this comes from my
personal experience.

Any technical profession (like machining) involves some math, especially if
you want to be at the top of your field.

Answer 3

Let's see, you gave me ten to buy a $9.35 item. I give you back $.50 in change. Are you a happy camper? Why?

Oh, wait, I short changed you and you found that out. How did you do that? You subtracted the cost of the item from the ten spot you handed me. Or in math talk (aka algebra) you did change(c) = payment(p) - cost(k) = p - k = c. In other words, you've been doing algebra all along.

One more, suppose you buy ten items at k per item cost and hand me a payment. How much change would you expect to get back? c = p - nk; where n = the number of items bought at unit cost k. Again algebra....

You are using algebra almost every day. Everyone uses it. What is of concern is that you don't seem to know that.

To be sure, there are levels of algebra used mostly if not solely by scientists, engineers, and such, and those you probably should not be taking if you are not one of those tekkies. But introductory algebra, like making change, is useful if only to understand what it is you've been doing all along in daily life.

Answer 4

This is a great question, thank you for asking it! Congratulations on your 'A' in the class.

An engineer has an obvious answer to your question - his is one of the many careers that every day use concepts learned in Algebra. But are jobs that require algebraic/mathematical thinking the exception or the norm?

I have found a couple of webpages that discuss math and life. I hope they give you additional thought.

I agree that not everyone uses it every day. I also believe that enough people benefit from its teaching that it should continue to be a requirement for high school and college.

Answer 5

The language of science is maths. To be able to prove something in most fields of research, only maths can pin something down as correct for 100% definite. Even branches of philosophy use it - e.g. Logic. Algebra is a way of solving problems and so will become necessary in proving many things at some point or another.

If you're a secretary or paper boy or chef for example - something that doesn't require mathematical prowess, then no. you'll never need to use it again. But how were you to know what you were going to become when you were young?

Should they have not taught you languages and science and religion and art and music and the humanities in school, just in case one might be a waste of your time in the future? You get a little taste of everything at school so you know what you like and don't like, are good at and bad at, so you can decide what you want to do when you're older.

Answer 6

I am more than 30 years old and like you, I had to study Algebra through high school and college.

I like a lot Mathematics and I can tell you that finding direct uses of Algebra is maybe a waste of time, specially if your career is not engineering ro design.

Nevertheles, I can tell you that I conclude that studying Algebra is useful in two ways:

a) To comprehend the higher concepts of Trigonometry, Calculus or even Statistics (if you did it during your school years) you maybe need to pass your course.

b) To develop skills of computing and abstraction needed in order to understand complex concepts found in our daily jobs. Algebra is a reasoning science, so I guess that studying it lets your brain awake up to its abstract side, to exercise it, to grow it.

That's my opinion.

Good luck!

Answer 7

I use Algebra and I finished high school 16 years ago.
It just depends what you do for a living, or how willing you are to figure things out in your head. I use it for figuring out percentages for mark-up or mark-down, for pricing in general. I just like to do the calculations and keep my brain sharp. I could use a calculator but I don't want to forget the Algebra I learned. Especially since I had to sit through hours of mean Mr. Perry teaching it to me!

Answer 8

You can say that about a lot of subjects you take in life but I found in algebra that you increase your mind power by practicing it . I have used the powers of developed thinking to solve other problems in a logical and concise way and you can do it by using the algebraic functions step by step to keep your rational thinking in check.

Answer 9

Actually its more common than you think but it is used a bi differently in life.
Imagine for example $20 in pocket , buy drink for $2, sandwich for $2, remaining in pocket is x amount, basically that is a simple form of algebra

Answer 10

I too took Algebra and have never used it again. I am assuming it lets people practice problem solving. Its the only thing I can think of and I have told my children if they learn it long enough to pass the class..then it will be over.