Why do they teach algebra?

Factual Questions
1

The other day my teenage son was doing his algebra homework when he asked me when he was ever going to use what they were teaching. I couldn’t answer him.

Why the hell do they push algebra in high scool?

My career puts me in contact with folks of all sorts of professions. NONE of them ever use algebra. Very few of the people I went to high school with uses algebra in their choosen field. All algebra class did was lower our overall grade point average and make school less enjoyable for many of us.
I know there are people who do in fact use algebra, but they are such a small, small minority that it doesn’t make sense that the schools insist students take 1-4 years of this nonsense. I think there are many other classes a student can take that will better prepare him for actual adult life. Is forced algebra a crock, or am I missing something? Enlighten me!

2

Two points (maybe three) –

First, I used basic algebra today in my job. I’m a computer programmer (more or less), which is not an uncommon or undesirable vocation.

Second, my experience has been that I never really learned what I was supposed to from a math class until I took the next one. I never really understood calculus till I took differential equations, never really got differential equations till I studied partial differential equations, etc. Learning algebra greatly enhances your understanding of more basic mathematics – addition, subtraction, fractions, percentages, logic – you’re not opposed to learning those are you?

Third, the fundamental premise of algebra – that mathematics can be represented symbolically and not just numerically – is an important concept in and of itself. Whether or not you master the details of finding the perimeter of a polygon is not as important as understanding that mathematical concepts beyond arithmetic exist. Otherwise, IMHO, you are in the position of the illiterate peasants in the Middle Ages who couldn’t read the Bible and had to have someone read and interpret it for them. Why give someone that power over you?

3

I don’t get asked to explain the themes of “Hamlet” a lot either at work, but I still bothered to learn that too.

And no one ever seems to care that I know many of the causes of the Chaco War, but I learned that too.

So, just what are we supposed to be taught?

4

I don’t know what kind of crowd you hang around with, but I use Algebra almost every day both at work and at home.

If your kid wants to go on to any sort of technical field, from computer programming to Architecture or Engineering (or even medicine), Algebra will be used all the time.

And as someone else said, Algebra like Calculus helps teach you how to think. That alone makes it worth it.

5

I did not say that algebra is worthless, or should not be offered, I just don’t feel it should be as mandatory as it is. The word “elective” comes to mind. Jobs like computer programmers weren’t as common when I went to high school 21 years ago, and were non-existant when my father went 50 years ago, yet we were both force fed algebra. The crowd I “hang with” includes lawyers, ceo’s, investigators, teachers, and even dentists. All highly trained & well paid professionals, who, when I asked, told me they rarely, if ever, use algebra, trig, or anything more complex than basic math. The investigator told me he uses a bit of algebra when investigating accidents, but it’s such a small amount that it could be learned in a course of hours, not years. My main point is that algebra should be an elective for students who intend to go into fields where they will consistantly use it. By his Junior or Senior year a student should have an idea if he needs this or not, and if not, shouldn’t be forced to take it!

6

I don’t really know anything about the U.S high school system, but I’m guessing there are other mandatory courses that I would consider less important than algebra. History and literature comes to mind. Haven’t had much use for those in my life.

Besides, the government that decides what courses should be mandatory probably needs as many engineers and computer people as possible to ensure economic growth. Having a solid knowledge base for higher education in those fields probably increases the number of people who choose that path.

7

pkbites, I was about to ask if you’re a janitor by trade, but that would be horribly rude. So I’ll ask, is this a joke question?

Let me take a stab at your son’s coursework:
English
History
Algebra
Auto shop
Some other elective
P.E.

Can you really look someone in the eye and suggest that they should look at the above list and call Algebra the least important?

Do you really believe that sentence structure, the Norman Conquests, Spark Plugs and Pull-ups should be mandatory while basic Math should be for those that choose it? Please tell me you’re kidding.

8

i use simple algebra amost every day. It is important & nessesary skill. I will agree that more advanced Algebra( quadradic equations, etc) and trig, could well be optional. He will need them for most sciences. What does he want to do? Is he absolutly sure? I got my degree in Ecology, and now I am a Gov’t accountant. Oh, well. :smiley:

9

Why?

I also agree with those who have already said that algebra is useful for everyone if only becasue it teaches a style and logic of thinking. The ability to think logically is sadly lacking in our society.

10

The world would be a better place if more folks could do math. As a retail manager I can have a 5 pound bag of organic carrots for $4.99, and loose carrots for $1.29lb., and customers will ask me again and again which is the better deal.

Algebra is logic. Logic is about the most essential tool you can teach a youngster.

Of course, as the following equation shows, algebra does not work:
X=Y

X²=XY

X²-Y²=XY-Y²

(X+Y)(X-Y)=Y(X-Y)

X+Y=Y

Y+Y=Y

2Y=Y

2=1
Therefore I’d go right to the school and complain about the fallacious information being taught!

11

Yes. They should teach nothing. Everything should be learned, not taught. Elementary schools should be libraries–but we’ll call them gymnasiums. In the US.

12

Knowing algebra is imparitive if your son will choose a technical vocation – computer programming, engineering, electronics, etc. – it is used daily in these fields.

Now, you can probably say that algebra shouldn’t be taught in high school because you will have to take it again in college for your major. However, taking algebra in high school better prepares you for college math.

And besides, algebra is fucking easy. :smiley:

13

Well, I used to use algebra about three days a week, for about 5 hours at a time, back when I was playing tabletop Dungeons&Dragons games. Yes, I’m serious, I used to play it that much.

I STILL use algebra today. Not necessarily in games, but I still use it. It’s excellent mental discipline. As others have pointed out, it teaches you to think logically, and the world could use a lot more logical thinking.

Cripes, I’d say that about 95% of what I learned in PE was totally wasted. I was required to take two years of math (not even algebra, just some sort of math) in high school, but I had to take four years of PE. I haven’t played a game of volleyball since I got out of school. About the only PE skills that I still use are walking/running and one-legged squats (when I had knee surgery).

Let’s get rid of all the sports in PE, and just concentrate on teaching kids about physical fitness.

14

Considering that few people know what career path they might choose at high school age, and also that many careers will require some math ability, it’s a good idea to get some exposure to manipulating symbolic logic during high school. If someone had told me at age 21 that I’d spend my life in the field I’m in, I would have scarcely been able to believe it (and I’m sure I’m not alone in that).

Add to that my own impression that it’s much easier to learn fundamental stuff when you’re young. Most universities now require proficiency in algebra for any degree, so your son will likely have to deal with it at some point, anyway. If he struggles through it now and barely passes, it will be much easier to get through once again at age 20 or so than it will if he starts cold. I know anecdotal evidence is of limited value, but I have two close acquaintance who went to college in their 30’s and were stopped short (one, in fact, lacking only algebra credit) by their inability to grasp algebra at that point in their lives.

This all reminds me of a thread of the past, Why do so many college majors require Calculus?

As BobT implied above (reference to Hamlet, etc.), there’s some value to the general populace having a certain base level of knowledge, as well. I’m glad I took the physiology and music classes that I did.

15

Guest poster Xylophon says:

The educational system feels that every child should feel stupid and incompetent at some point in his/her academic career. Algebra serves as a “weeding mechanism,” by which the system is able to determine which students deserve to complete high school and perhaps continue on to college or university.

16

For an example of the cost of not understanding basic mathematical concepts, check out the recent thread
‘“Gifting”-is it nothing more then a scam.’

More seriously, mathematics, of which algebra is one of the basics, is the language of the universe. Almost any high level science is going to require an understanding of math. Even if they don’t use it directly, they may rely on statistics, which are mathematically based.

Also, a lot of people you might not think of use algebra every day, carpenters, plumbers, accountants, even car mechanics. They also use trigonometry, which many people consider useless.

The very fact that it takes several years to teach mitigates against the idea of starting later. Many college programs use calculus as a basis – and without a grounding in algebra, you can’t learn calculus. If colleges had to teach four years of algebra, a degree program would be a lot longer.

17

I use algebra almost if not every day, both at home and at work. It’s logic and deduction and process of elimination.

tell your son he’s been doing algebra since first grade, maybe it will come easier for him if he is having difficulty.

Anyone with a child older than 6 or 7 has surely seen the math homework they get, e.g. 7 + _ = 15 and such
with little boxes to fill in. if the teachers would just put an x or a y instead of a box, voila! algebra

18

The algebra he is forced to do now is far and beyond that. I agree that logic is an important skill to teach, but there are elective classes in logic he can take. I also agree that 1 year of required algebra wouldn’t kill anyone, even if they knew they weren’t going to use it. But to be forced to take 4 years of it, when he’d rather take something else more suited to what he wants to do, is ridiculous. Classes that should be required are routinely being dropped from schools. Drivers Ed, which seems like a bone head class, is now available in only 33% of American Schools. That
is a course which prepares a kid for ADULT life, which is what high school should be doing. 99% of adults drive, but more and more of us drive like shit because less and less of us are being taught properly. The result: DEATH!

History is not being taught! Ask a 20 year old about who is on the $10 bill and they’ll give you a blank look. History is important because it tells where we’ve been & where we are going. Instead they teach Social Studies, or as I call it, “Socialist” Studies. It doesn’t teach events and dates, but instead gives social commentary about dubious historical figures like malcom X.

My point, (ONCE AGAIN!) is that if a Senior in high school knows what his college major is going to be, and he doesn’t need any more math, especially algebra, he should not have to take it any more than any of us should be forced to read these post!..And we learn alot more at the Straight Dope than he ever will in any algebra class!

19

Whoa. He’s a senior, and he doesn’t need math, and he’s been required by the school to take four years of algebra? That does seem extreme. What school is that?

20

EVERYONE needs more math. One of the reasons we get so many garbage laws and public hysteria over media hype is because people have to take the word of the people at the top at face value, because they are incapable of figuring it out for themselves.

Basic education prepares you not just for your job, but for being a citizen. As such, you should be able to evaluate the opinions and results of others, in all but the most specialized of fields. You should be able to think logically, and solve simple problems for yourself without having to rely on others.

I believe that mathematics and science are the MOST important subjects in school, and we should be learning much more of it.

I live in Canada, and we’ve been kicking the U.S.'s butt in standardized tests for years. This has translated into high demand for Canadian College graduates, and Canada’s scientific achievements on a per-capita basis are starting to really outstrip the U.S.

Our basic curriculum in Canada requires Algebra to start in Grade 8. By grade 12, Canadian children will have had mathematics up to differential calculus. Kids in the ‘IB’ program start on integral calculus as well. In Junior High School you take an integrated science course for three years, then in high school you specialize into Chemistry, Physics, or Biology. You have to take 2 of those sciences, for 3 years each. And each of those sciences REQUIRES Algebra. No Algebra, and you can forget learning anything about science other than names and places (in our grade 12 physics program, kids have to do problems with elastic and inelastic collisions, inclined planes, ballistic trajectories, resolution of force vectors for vehicles on angled curves, that kind of thing.)

And in my opinion, this isn’t enough. Every Grade 12 kid should have to take a course in Applied Statistics, so they can understand the drivel they read in the paper every day, and be less inclined to blow their money on lottery tickets and slot machines. There should be a course on logical thinking, which analyzes news articles from the past and tries to resolve logical and mathematical errors that underly them.

If you have a good solid grounding in math, the basic sciences, and logic, you can learn ANYTHING. And if you want to be really educated, you’d better be learning all your life. School just gives you the fundamentals to carry on on your own. So they should drop a lot of the applied crap like Driver’s Ed and basketweaving and replace it with real subjects. If you want to learn to drive a car, take the course on your own time.