Students should be appropriately challenged to use problem-solving skills. To do some homework of your own, Fennell suggests talking to your child and her math teacher about how homework is used. You can ask:. When my child finishes this year, will he be ready for high school math? Larson believes the use of calculators is not a yes or no question.
While he says technology can help build a deeper understanding of key algebra concepts, students should still learn how to practice standard procedures on their own. Please enter a valid email address. Thank you for signing up! Server Issue: Please try again later. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I will have all my students read and discuss this article. Teachers get this question everyday. I never persued my love for math after high school but I find myself very curious about why the subject is so important in our lives, especially beyond those basics we all learned in high school. The above comments convinced me to learn more NOW. I am 21 and I thought I should learn algebra and calculus , and here it opened my mind more for mathematics.
To solve a problem in algebra, you identify the problem, consider the variables, develop a plan to solve the problem, implement the plan, and assess your results. You use that same process to solve any problem in life. Algebra trains your brain to solve problems. Variables for determining break even. The other five are arbitrary at best. Jonathan, All the reasons for learning algebra are possible reasons. Like any other skill whether it be learning to cook or learning to drive a car you can choose to use algebra every day for the rest of your life or you can choose to never use it again and get other people to do it for you.
Algebra provides the first real introduction to abstraction. Those six reasons seem quite nice and have value for many. Abstraction has value for anyone who does not do menial work and even for some who do. I was curious when I read the title however I still believe class time would be better spent teaching children to manage their own money. That is a maths skill they will use. Algebra should be taught on the job if you need it as most do not.
Although I can appreciate you enjoy it which is lovely. Yes indeed. Penn State has a class called The Mathematics of Money Math 34 It teaches students about investments, credit card debt, stock options, and basic business math. Not for arts students. Or determine how much of something you can buy at a given price?
Algebra is part of budgeting and finances. Math can easily be done through numeration no need to equate 12 eggs is 2. However Cheese is 5. Go to Store 1. Now it comes down to how much I value my time to shop around and the distance between the stores. In my own life, they are within walking distance so I shop around get eggs at Store 2, then walk and get cheese at Store 1. I never need an algebraic equation to do this action.
I just base it on the lowest cost for value no higher math needed. Algebra would help, however, now it comes down to intangibles your willingness to take risk and investors profile and time duration. In this case, either work. If you want more risk and more return that would be more aggressive in a shorter duration and Stock A is best.
Algebra would be needed if you want to know the maximum of the eggs you consume before expiration on average to reduce or mitigate any food waste based on your own consumption. Or draw risk curves and time duration you want an asset to appreciate and calculate future interest if there is compounding.
Example setting up a DRIP Dividend Reinvestment Plan on Stock B versus pure stock appreciation in stock A and or if you want to Dollar Cost Average Then formulas would be convenient to have to estimate the best return for the risk taken and time investment.
In the end, Algebra is a tool, not always needed however it can be a useful tool in your own toolkit however a foundation in simple math can handle most everyday decisions involving Finance.
Number 2 is factual and therefor a reasonable explanation for why one should learn algebra; the other reasons are purely subjective. Yes, it is important to strengthen ones critical thinking skills, and may indeed be useful if one decides to pursue a science or math-based career, but otherwise the pursuit of conquering algebra is without long-lasting purpose.
I agree wholeheartedly, and I had to endure advanced algebra, calculus and statistics to get my bachelors, totally unnecessary. And my counselor said that if I had taking just two more semesters I could get a degree in mathematics, No, I declined the kind offer. And, yes the reasons are coming from a person who just likes algebra. Its like hearing the reason to learn knife skills from a Master Chef….
In my opinion, there are many reasons why we must learn algebra. First, for beginners, algebra is foundational for advanced math classes. Second, algebra is useful for our life. In the modern era, algebra is used in all modern technology, for examples google, internet, mobil phone, and digital television. Third, algebra can reinforces our logical thinking.
Learning algebra help us to develop our critical thinking skills, including problem solving, logic, and pattern. In the university, many of major like statistic, pharmacy, and mathematic are required have a good knowledge of algebra.
So, algebra is an important subject for our life in the next time. Student: Why do we need to learn algebra? Teacher: Do you lift weights or work out in the gym? Student: Sure. It makes my muscles work better. Teacher: Will you ever lift weights or exercise for a job? Student: No. But it will help me have the stamina to do my job. Teacher: Well, algebra is a work out for your brain which helps you think logically that will also help you do your job.
I am a system engineer, an a successful one at that, working in technology every day. Other than the 4 basic operations, and percentages, I do not use any of the advanced calculus, or statistics I had to study to get my degree. I use fractions for cooking. Your reasons why we learn algebra are really reasons why you learn algebra. But some of us are just not into it. Claim: Untold numbers of students fail algebra, and they may need to take algebra several times before passing it.
Response: A half-century ago in the USA, and currently in most civilized nations, algebra did not have that reputation. What is the case now in many parts of our country is that because of political pressure from state officials, school districts, school officials , coursework in grade school and high school is accelerated, and students are promoted without understanding the material necessary for the next course.
I am told that this is true in English as well as mathematics. This is a recipe for student failures. Claim: Requiring algebra tends to make many students hate mathematics. If students are not prepared well enough for algebra, and are rushed through the various topics in the course, then, again, this is a recipe for the students to hate mathematics.
Claim: Algebra prevents the United States from finding and developing young talent. Response: Same argument about being prepared for the courses. Claim I quote : "A definitive analysis by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce forecasts that in the decade ahead a mere 5 percent of entry-level workers will need to be proficient in algebra or above.
The innuendo is that people would not need any kind of logical thinking skills. You would like to purchase Internet service for your home. Which company is less expensive for one year of service? At first glance, it might have seemed like Company B would be cheaper, because they do not charge a setup fee, but algebra showed us differently!
There are many other examples of real-world uses of algebra, from comparing prices on similar products in a grocery store to figuring out what time you need to leave your house in order to meet a friend across town on time. We hope you're ready to dive deeper into the world of algebra!
Check out the following activities with a friend or family member:. They seem to be working fine right now, and are available. We have been doing some site adjustments, but hopefully everything is resolved!
Hey, Wonder Friend! Thanks for sharing your opinion. Please be respectful and allow us--and others--to share theirs. Algebra is solving for the unknown.
So, technically, one uses algebra when they do their taxes, balance a checking account, and add up groceries in the store so they are sure they have enough money to cover their purchases. Hey, there AnonymusUser. We happen to agree with Joe--solving for any unknown could be considered algebra. We're sorry you don't agree with the importance of algebra--that's what makes the world interesting, a difference of opinions! I am lost. Where have I gone wrong? Hi, Gregory!
You are correct! In an equation like this one, though, the order that you solve it is important. Because of the Order of Operations, you would solve the multiplication problem first. After you solve the multiplication problem, you solve the remaining addition problem. For more information about the Order of Operations, check out this link from Scholastic.
Also, that is a great suggestion! Be sure to add it to our Wonder Bank!! There are many real-life instances when algebra is needed! We encourage you to take a Wonder Journey to see just how often you could use algebra! Yes but if we don't need algebra for life we don't need to know how to do it or learn it in school.
Hi, Mr. Algebra is needed in life - we hope you read through this Wonder one more time to see why algebra is so important to learn!!! You state, "Algebra is needed in life. You just state it as a fact. Where is your proof? I will state that it is not "needed in life. None of the adults I know, including myself, have ever had any need to use algebra.
I agree with one of the other comments. I have never used algebra in life and none of the adults I have ever or known have ever used it. So why learn it? And we agree, math is important and fun!! Have you posted your math wonders to our Wonder Bank? Good luck, Brody! It's nice to hear from you again, Elizabeth! Algebra is a specific branch or area of math. Think of math as an umbrella and algebra stands under it, along with others such as geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
Thanks for your suggestion, JOHN! We think you'll be happy with a Wonder of the Day scheduled for the near future.
We hope you'll keep checking Wonderopolis to see if your question becomes a Wonder! Thank you for your honesty, JOHN. Sometimes math can be frustrating if you don't understand something. When that happens, be sure to ask your teacher for more explanation.
It can truly help! We're glad you explored this Wonder, Isaac! Speaking of bedtimes, you might enjoy exploring Wonder next! Hey there, Hunter! To become an engineer, you'll be required to take a lot of math classes. It will take a lot of practice and studying to master math subjects, but we know you can do it! We believe in you! It may not be as obvious, but even salespeople and staff at shelters need to use algebra in their daily lives.
In fact, no matter the job, we bet there are times everyone needs to do algebra. Take a look at this webpage from IPracticeMath. This page lists just a few situations any person could encounter that involves algebraic math.
Check it out and let us know what you think! Thank you for showing me this website. Now I realize that salespeople can use algebra in prices and people in shelters use it to split things evenly among the animals. We really do use algebra in iour daily lives! Thank you for introducing this topic :.
You're welcome, Nolan! Sometimes the reasons we learn certain things in school aren't explained very well. We're glad that you now know some real-life examples of why algebra is important! Hey there, Karter! We hope this Wonder helped explain why math and specifically algebra is important! Thanks for your suggestion, Lily. Have you ever researched events that happened on your birthday? Take a look by clicking here! Sometimes math becomes a lot more enjoyable when you get a thorough explanation of why equations work the way they do.
If there's something that confuses you, Karter, be sure to ask your teacher for more help. Hey there, LOL! Sometimes you might feel that you don't need to learn algebra, and that's OK. We hope this Wonder helped you understand some of the reasons why algebra is important. Thanks for being our 50th commenter on Wonder , Jack. We hope you enjoyed this Wonder! Algebra can certainly be challenging to learn but it's so important, Lily! Don't be afraid to ask for help when something confuses you!
Hi, Jomol! It's so great that you visited Wonderopolis. We encourage you to research Kpop a musical genre from South Korea online to determine if it's safe for your child. Welcome, Brooke!
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