I htink it should be an option to take the higher math. Its good for people if you plan on using it to further or better educate or self but to many others its just a waste of time.
2007-07-30 03:43:07 · 15 answers · asked by ~*[AnD]*~ 4 lyfe 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
"Its good for people if you plan on using it to further or better educate or self but to many others its just a waste of time."
Exactly. If you really look at it 75% of the population should only have to go to school through about 5th grade. Most people only need basic math and reading. We shouldn't even bother with history (most people don't need it), literature (same), political science (less than 50% of population votes anyway), art, foreign languages, etc.
2007-07-30 03:50:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 8⤋
It's not so much that you "have to" learn these subjects. The fact is that you are entitled to learn them.
If you went to McDonald's, and they didn't give you your fries, because they decided you probably wouldn't need them, you wouldn't stand for it. Even if you weren't going to eat them, you'd expect to receive those fries you paid for.
It's the same with your education. Somehow schools and teachers have managed to inculcate this idea that you should only take the courses you'll 'need' for your future life. However, you (or your parents and society in general) are paying for those courses, and you are entitled to understand and comprehend those concepts.
If you don't get that higher math, you're actually getting ripped off. Same goes for science and every other course at school.
The legislators, educators and curriculum development people have decided that everyone is allowed to learn a certain level of many subjects. Don't let the schools take that education from you because they've convinced you that it's 'boring' or 'useless'.
No one's ever regretted learning any subject. No one has ever sat bemoaning "Oh, I wish I'd never learned calculus". There have been lots of people who've said "Damn, I wish I'd learned calculus when I had the chance", and, admittedly, there are also a lot of people who say "Damn, I can't remember how to do this calculus. I used to know." - but at least they would have an idea where to start, and how to re-acquire that knowledge.
Make your educators do their jobs, and teach you that higher math. Don't let them slack off by convincing you 'you'll never need it'.
2007-07-30 12:22:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Pfo. Learning the higher math does broaden your horizons. There's many reasons why having more math under your belt is better. One example - when you help your kids with their homework in the future. Yeah, you'll most likely forget it by then but it'll be there somewhere in the back of your mind. Two, employers think you are more intelligent and know that you are willing to work hard if you survived math. Three, like Pfo said, you never know if you might enjoy it or what you might need it for in the future. But, it's better to learn it now, just in case, than just ignoring it.
2007-07-30 11:13:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Math may be challenging for many people, but no other subject teaches you skills in problem solving and logical analysis like math. Perhaps most importantly, learning math teaches you how to learn.
Math was never my favorite subject either, but now that I'm a little "older and wiser" I wish I'd have studied my math a little harder as I see so many applications in everyday life and work that have mathematical applications.
The definition of "higher math" varies from person to person, but it would be rare to find anybody who doesn't use math every day, and there are many people who use "higher math" as part of their jobs - carpenters, plumbers, surveyors, pilots, sheet metal workers, the list goes on and on - you don't have to be a scientist or mathematician to use math!
2007-07-30 11:11:16 · answer #4 · answered by minefinder 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because education is not about learning the bare minimum needed to get by.
You don't say what you consider to be "higher math", but unless you're taking Calculus, there's nothing in High School that could remotely be called "higher math."
For starters, learning a bit of math might teach you the difference between the Mathematics section and the Biology section.
2007-07-30 11:22:17 · answer #5 · answered by secretsauce 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What you consider as higher maths is not all that high! And it can be learnt with a little more effort and is quite useful in daily life. Calculations of area, volume, calculation of simple and compound interest, balancing your cheque book, understanding percentages...are not they useful in real life?
There are several good resources on the net for learning any specific topic which you may not understand. And I may, at the appropriate time add my own resource to the existing ones.
2007-07-30 11:09:32 · answer #6 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many subjects, other than math, use math. My chem classes have been more math than actual science fact. Math is never a waste of time. The problem solving processes used in math classes can be extended to many other areas of your life.
And to top it all off...I would have to wager that my Doctor doesn't necessarily use his knowledge of calculus on a daily basis, but would I really want someone who couldn't pass math classes holding my life in their hands? Not really.
I was a nursing student for a couple of years, and they don't require much math, but simple dilution problems can be messed up on the job causing major problems. Being in a math class makes you accustomed to seeing numbers, so that when they are important, you know them.
2007-07-30 13:00:04 · answer #7 · answered by Heidi M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't PLAN on using it, but the reason you should learn it anyway is this simple:
Plans change.
How often would your car run out of gas if it only contained exactly enough gas to carry you to where you planned to go when you woke up in the morning?
Things happen. Be prepared.
2007-07-30 13:59:32 · answer #8 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Evan if you don't think you won't use it in the future you might. Want to go to collage or apply for a job that requires that math stick with it
2007-07-30 13:54:20 · answer #9 · answered by hillbillydelux93 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Geometry teaches you how to think logically. This manner of linear sequential thought is used all throughout science -- and it's pretty good for just about anything else.
Also, it's a requirement for college admission. You DO want to go to college, don't you?
So, do your homework and stop complaining.
2007-07-30 14:26:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How can you say you won't use it if you don't know what it is? At any rate, even if you don't use it in your day to day life having learned it once will broaden your horizons, open up more possibilities for critical and abstract thinking, and who knows, you may find yourself to be good at it and enjoy it.
Why are people so down on learning? I find it addictive.
2007-07-30 10:53:28 · answer #11 · answered by Pfo 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋