Why do we have to learn ALGEBRA at school?

Question

It's never been any use to me since I left school 18 years ago.

I work in an office on a computer all day by the way.

Answer 1

God knows, I think it is useless and they should be teaching more life skills.

Answer 2

Amazingly enough I have used algebra! I've used it to compare shopping prices (those packs never come in the same size), especially as I don't believe half of the £/kg signs when there's an offer on.

We've used it to work out how many lengths of wood we needed when we built a non-standard length structure in the garden.

I've used it when I sold some spare Euros to a friend. (If the post office would give you 100 Euros for £x, and you want to buy 760 from me then you pay me....)

I used it in my job working on a finance system in an investment bank.

I've used it to help work out how much discount we get in the shop where I work part-time...

You probably use it without even knowing it!

Answer 3

Algebra is more than maths. It's the basis of logic and problem solving. It trains your mind to break down problems into manageable parts and deal with them individually and as a whole. It also trains your mind the concept of representing unknowns as elements as part of a larger problem to be solved.

Simple example is when you go shopping and a sign says a kg of mince would cost £8, and you want only 250g. You would instantly work it out in your head that the amount that you want would cost a quarter of £8.

1kg = £8
0.25kg = x
x = 0.25 x £8
x = £2

That's algebra - using what you know and putting the problem at hand in a way that is manageable and solveable using the things that you know.

You might not use it in its complicated form that's sometimes taught at school everyday, but you do use the concept of algebra more than you realise.

Answer 4

You work in an office on a computer. I wouldn't expect you to use algebra.

However, there are thousands and thousands of scientists, technicians and engineers out there, designing, building and maintaining all the pieces of technology you rely on, who use algebra all the time. It is a vital tool in the technological world.

Just because you don't use it, don't assume it is not used.

Answer 5

You use it but you just don't realize it. A simple algebra question deals with calculating gas mileage in your car.

Mileage (Miles per gallon) = Miles Driven (miles) divided by gallons used

Another example is area. If you have a 10x10 room, you need 100 square feet of carpet.

The viewable area of a computer screen is described by its diagonal viewable area. Therefore a square 17" monitor is actually 12" by 12" inches because length squared plus width squared = diagonal length squared.

Answer 6

I use it sometimes at work and I work as a part time removal man. I have never used trigonometry however. Algebra is useful when combined with geometry and when measuring things (such as the size of objects) in ratio.

Answer 7

1. Teaches problem solving skills, multitasking
2. We don't want a society of idiots
3. I just used algebra and geometry to calculate timbers and rocks for my driveway.
4. You won't use everything you learn in school, but if you have a diploma, it means that you should have had a reasonable education, unless they give them away for free where you are from.

Answer 8

Kyle R is totally correct.... its problem solving and it is still used but obviously not in your job but how would your maths teacher know what industry you were going to go into. I left school in 1987 and didnt use it again till four years ago for something at work.

Answer 9

it is the concept which is important. i.e. substituting symbles instead of numbers to solve problems, which is usefull in life. e.g. if you are organising a rota in a school to working as a pyroll officer it plays a part in it all.

Answer 10

Algebra sucks! I've got about six or seven years left of pointlessness then I'll be free!

Answer 11

Not sure but its a boring subject and was a nightmare for me! Waste of time!