Community Chat

[chickenbutt]

PeterDM wrote:

These classes are exercises for children and their developing brains.  While you may not use algebra in your everyday life, learning to solve problems and deal with abstract ideas helps you become a better functioning, more well-rounded human being.  

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You always say things so well!  

This is the part we didn't 'get' when we were kids, whining about how we would never need to learn this stuff.  This is what we, as adults, should easily understand.

[CelticCrafter]

Algebra was my absolute worst class in high school.  Even with the help of a weekly tutor I barely passed the class.  I just never got it.  For me it would be a no.

I do sew and make quilts so Geometry has helped with piecing blocks.

[chrystaltree]

Aren't they mandatory already?  Calculus too.  

[Desertdi]

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

Algebra was my absolute worst class in high school.  Even with the help of a weekly tutor I barely passed the class.  I just never got it.  For me it would be a no.

I do sew and make quilts so Geometry has helped with piecing blocks.

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Same here........geometry was like "art" to me

[jubilant]

 nm

[PamfromCT]

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@sfnative wrote:

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@PamfromCT wrote:

Absolutely. With exceptions for vocational students.  

Students heading for college will find they will be taking many courses they may consider useless in everyday life.  In the community where I live, considered one of the top school systems in CT, this would be a moot question.  I might add that a college education will give you information you need to succeed in life, but also give you lifetime skills of learning how to learn.

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@PamfromCT

With all due respect and just as one example, how could a carpenter possibly function without the basics of geometry?

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Just to clarify my posting, I would assume a student in a good vocational program would have to learn enough to be adequately prepared for their vocation.  How else could a student be prepared to work in their chosen field?  They might not have to follow a traditional academic path as a college-bound student.  

[jubilant]

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@jubilant wrote:

My answer is no.  Not everyone was meant to be a linear thinker.  Some people are just lateral thinkers.  You may get there step by step....  I may look for a secondary way to get there.  You may get there faster but I may have created changes to get there the way I know how..... a secondary route.... if that works for me....if that makes any sense.  For example....someone here mentioned needing it for sewing.  I would disagree with that.  Well, I can't explain it like I want to but that is the jest of it. 

Is it good for the brain....I would imagine that is true if it means really applying yourself to training the brain into thinking linear when you needed it...but is the need there????  If it is...go for it.  If not....I have know many lateral thinkers who are very bright in what they do in life.  They hire someone to do the linear thinking and visa versa!!

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[biancardi]

omg, of course!!  This isn't the 1800's where we were all pretty much isolated.  Today's world is global and other countries are kicking our behinds in math and science. 

knowning math, science, world history (because it shocks me to see how many people don't even get current events, let alone things that happened 400 years ago), another language, communication skills, computer skills - all are very important skill sets

it makes for a healthy mind, an inquisive mind, a creative mind, one that will invent, and search for solutions and become a problem solver.

I may not remember my geometery that well, but algebra is every day stuff. 

[biancardi]

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@JAXS Mom wrote:
Balance a checkbook, most young people aren't writing checks except for rent.

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it is just a colloquialism. They still balance their bank account.

[Marienkaefer2]

In answer to the orignal question:  YES!

I say this as a student who struggled with Algebra I, did ok with Algebra II, did very well with Geometry, and struggled with Pre-Calculus.

Currently, I tutor in high school, and Math questions are the number 1 topic, followed by Chemistry.

What do I say when students say:  "Why do I have to learn this?"

1st answer:  Because you'll need it for your major (anything in the STEM field, obviously)

2nd answer:  Because it exercises your BRAIN.  It helps to develop your critical and analytical thinking skills. You know how you go to the gym to work out?  Math is the gym for your BRAIN.