algebra-what is the point in that?

Question

i`ve never used it , no one i know has ever used it and i bet no one you know has ever used it so whats the point?

Answer 1

It's a good question--and too often students don't get a very good answer. Algebra--and mathematics generally--is important because it teaches you how to think logicallly--how to analyze and solve problems. You are right in that very few people actually use the specific techniques--but those aren'tt the point.

Let me give you an analogy. If you go to a gym, you'll see people--including athletes, doing a lot of exercises (lifting weights, climbing stairmasters, etc). All of these activities are pointless--in and of themselves. But they are accomplishing something very useful--the exercise is developing and toning muscles, building endurance and strength, and so on. The specific skills--how to use exercise machines, etc--don't have much use outside the gym. What you take with you is that improved physical condition. Its the same way with mathematics. Sure, you'll probably never need to use it in the real world--but you will take with you an ability to think and solve problems that has been trained and exercised so that you can do much more with it in everything you do.

Answer 2

I am married to an electrician who uses algebra and trigonometry on the job on a daily basis. My ma is a pharmacy nurse and she says she uses algebra to mix the IV solutions and rates they drip into the patients bloodstreams (how much more creepy can you get than that!) I've never had to use algebra in any of my jobs but I had to take a year of it to get my high school diploma. The only math that is important to me is figuring percentages, like how much I'm really saving at the sales racks in the mall.

Answer 3

No I used Algebra. It is in Mathematics. Algebra It is Full of Theorem And Procedures. It Deals With The Study like Square, circle,rectangle ,poligon, triangle and so on. To find the Area Of a circle if we use in algebra method we can find easily

Answer 4

I loved algebra but then again I was quite good at it in school I found it alot easier to do than trigonometry that really confused me! You can overcome algebra when you try to think more abstractly.

Answer 5

I think the normal average person never will use it in their daily life. The same thing goes for geometry. The average person will only use the math they learned in grade school such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals.

Answer 6

You use algebra every day you just don't realize it, because the algebra you use every day is simple algebra that you do in your head with out even thinking about it.

Answer 7

i know a couple of ppl that use it regularly eg builders and welders, ppl in construction an engineering etc, but me personally , i have never used it an think it was a waste of time learning it at school used to frustrate the hell out of me but then again so did most of my teachers...........

Answer 8

The point is...brain work. And simply being literate. I'm not really keen on it, I'm more of a humanitarian, but i can't deny it makes my brain work. Sometimes...just joking.

Answer 9

I remember thinking that while I was learning it and I hated it.