# Who DOESN'T Think Algebra is crap? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2000, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976 "2000-09-13T02:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Feelyat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3be4f8/32.png) [@Feelyat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feelyat)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/1 "2000-09-13T02:06:35Z")
Ok, so I’m falling asleep in Algebra class, and the whole time I’m struggling to pay attention to my professor, I’m thinking, “WHAT is the point?!?!?!” I don’t use algebra in my daily life, and since I want to be an actress it will be of no use to me in my career. Another time I was falling asleep while I was trying to finish my Algebra homework right before class, well, this is actually every day. I was thinking then too, “WHY?!?!” It’s useless!!! USELESS, I tell you!!! ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/2 "2000-09-13T02:09:38Z")
Useless? hahahahah Useless you say? ohhh my, oh my sweet good Jesus… ummmm well now that you bring it up. Yes it is useless. IMHO of course. ---
**Author:** ![Boris\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@Boris\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boris_B)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/3 "2000-09-13T02:14:02Z")
I use it all the time in making spreadsheets (MS Excel, but don’t take that as an enorsement of their product line), and I’ve used spreadsheets in several jobs that I’ve had. For example, we have several different products, each of which can be purchased with different service commitments. The problem is, the price and the monthly service cost changes with each commitment length. So it’s kind of tedious to figure out the total cost of each package with a calculator. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/4 "2000-09-13T02:14:57Z")
Actually, I kinda liked it. If nothing else, it teaches you how to logically solve a problem by tearing it down into smaller steps. ---
**Author:** ![Feelyat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3be4f8/32.png) [@Feelyat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feelyat)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/5 "2000-09-13T02:16:13Z")
Thank you, thank you for agreeing. I’m sure most of the dopers will, unless there’s a \ Algebra teacher lurking around!!! What I want to know is why my parents had to pay over $200 for the class and book when I can’t even apply Algebra to my daily life, excluding my actual Algebra homework. It’s ridiculous!! ---
**Author:** ![TheNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TheNerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerd)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/6 "2000-09-13T02:25:45Z")
Algebra is useful. Maybe not _every_ day, but quite often. Now, History. That’s some useless crap. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/7 "2000-09-13T02:25:57Z")
Yeah, those groups and rings were always fairly confusing to me. Oh, wait, you’re probably not talking about modern algebra, are you? I can’t imagine many disciplines that don’t employ the basic principles of algebra. You might not be writing down equations and variables, but the thought processes are there. (That’s my main beef with math classes–they tend to emphasize the ability to manipulate symbols on a piece of paper far more than the ideas they represent. But that’s another rant.) Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![Yue\_Han](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/eada6e/32.png) [@Yue\_Han](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yue_Han)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/8 "2000-09-13T02:28:20Z")
a) You do apply Algebra in daily life. You don’t bust out the paper and pencil, but isolating variables and solving for them is something you’ll use all the time in making spending choices. The trick is, this kind of number juggling is handled mentally, not written out. Classroom algebra in part helps train your mind to think in this way. b) Oh, you don’t need to learn skills because you’re going to be an actress. That’s… cute. –John ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/9 "2000-09-13T02:30:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Feelyat \* > \*\* …and since I want to be an actress it will be of no use to me in my career. \*\* Can I _pleeeease_ be your agent? Please, please, please??? ---
**Author:** ![Feelyat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3be4f8/32.png) [@Feelyat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feelyat)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/10 "2000-09-13T02:32:03Z")
\ I’m sorry, I spose you’re right. But the graphing and all, why does an actress need to know this junk? ---
**Author:** ![Philbuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9a140/32.png) [@Philbuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philbuck)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/11 "2000-09-13T02:55:01Z")
I use algebra in my everyday life. Two minutes ago, in fact. Of course, I’m a physics major, which may not count under most people’s definition of “life”… Of course, every time you ask yourself “how many whatevers can I buy for $10”, you’re “doing algebra”. ---
**Author:** ![Feelyat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3be4f8/32.png) [@Feelyat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feelyat)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/12 "2000-09-13T03:17:17Z")
Yeah, you’re talking about the algebra I studied in seventh grade. Now I’m in college algebra. How is graphing lines applicable in every day life??? If my daily life and/or job doesn’t require graphing skills, then why do I need to learn about it? Nerd, without learning history people would be repeating the same mistakes century after century. How can one predict the future without first studying the past??? By the way, Yue Han, why do you feel the need to be such a pompous jerk? Just a simple question. Smeghead, I already admire you greatly(not a crush, really…), so yes, you can be my agent. Unless you were mocking me. In that case, I’m afraid my answer is no. ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/13 "2000-09-13T03:17:17Z")
Let this be an indication of how good I am at math. In geometry in HS, I had a copy of the teacher’s manual, and I STILL failed. I am that dumb at math. –Tim ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/14 "2000-09-13T03:18:02Z")
I LOVED algebra! Not as much as Calc, but still … The only math I didn’t like was Geometry, and that’s 'cause the teacher was horrid. ---
**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/15 "2000-09-13T03:26:45Z")
I’m not very good at math. Which is kinda-sorta not exactly a good thing, seeing as how I’m majoring in engineering :eek:. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/16 "2000-09-13T03:32:45Z")
With each passing year, I realize how much I LOVE algebra. If I could take algebra this year instead of Calc, I would be SOOO happy. ---
**Author:** ![Feelyat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3be4f8/32.png) [@Feelyat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feelyat)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/17 "2000-09-13T03:33:35Z")
I know that I need to learn the basics first, but I would much prefer Calculus to College Algebra. Algebra is so easy that it bores me. I started this thread earlier today because I had to get it off my chest. Some of you seem to think that I’m some half-wit with a two-digit IQ. Thanks for assuming that. For those who were simply voicing their opinions, thanks! The whole point of these threads is to allow everyone to voice his or her own opinion, not to attack others for their opinions. That’s what the Pit is there for. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/18 "2000-09-13T03:34:57Z")
Feelyat, the stated purpose of this board is “fighting ignorance”. While you are free to be as ignorant as you wish I do not think you will have the best audience here. The members of this board are mostly people who think knowledge is something desirable. The specific instance of Algebra has been discussed in several threads. I know you are going to make gazillions when you become a superfamous movie star but you might find out most of it ends up in the pockets of people who know a bit more about other things than just acting. Also and while you get there you might find yourself waiting tables or pumping gas, as most would-be stars do, and you will find algebra comes in handy when you need to understand such mundane things as your utility bills. Or do you already have a manager who takes care of those things? A bit of knowledge will never get in your way. ---
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/19 "2000-09-13T03:35:52Z")
Well, I do think that algebra is important. I enjoy it too. I also use it quite a bit, but then again, I use it in my math classes. Math in general is pretty important. It comes in handy when balancing your chequebook, buying items, calculating tax, figuring out how much it will take to fill your gas tank, and since you’re going to be an actress, paying your manager. You might also appreciate it every time you cross a bridge, use your computer, etc. Thank god for people who like math, because technology wouldn’t be going very far without it. I do understand how you feel. When I was studying poetry, I kept whining about how I’d never be using this stuff in a technological field. Maybe if I wrote an Ode to Trig… uh, maybe not… ---
**Author:** ![Feelyat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3be4f8/32.png) [@Feelyat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feelyat)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2000, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976/20 "2000-09-13T03:37:34Z")
Oops! I ended a sentence with a preposition. Tsk tsk. What I should have said was, “That is why the pit is there.” Oh no, the word “there” is undesirable…nevermind the grammar corrections. Hopefully none of you will attack my grammar as well as my opinions. lalalalalalala…feel much better. aggressions out. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-doesnt-think-algebra-is-crap/32976.md?page=2)