Many people can’t calculate beyond simple addition or subtraction above a total sum of 100 in their heads. Most people don’t know how to do fractional computation and percentages without the aid of a calculator. Ever fewer have mathematics knowledge higher than elementary algebra and still need reference material to remind them of standard equations. I won’t even get started about advanced mathematics above trig.
The media can’t do math at all; they have interns do it all for them and are too ignorant to know if the result is correct or not. Many media pundits make up their statistics on the spot and incorrectly interpret results to make their philosophical point. I often cringe any time I see a pie chart, ratio, percentage, or any other mathematical sum on news sites or the TV because more often than not I know deep down inside it’s incorrect.
“Many people can’t calculate beyond simple addition or subtraction above a total sum of 100 in their heads. Most people don’t know how to do fractional computation and percentages without the aid of a calculator.”
At this point, I’d settle for people using a calculator if they have to, as long as they get it right.
I don’t really care if that many people can’t get beyond trig. If we just went back to “story problems,” we could probably improve critical thinking and everyday math skills by 300%.