"I think algebra is prejudicial against all us dummies and therefor racist. It should be abolished."
Posted on 02/13/2006 7:34:29 PM PST by voletti
Math is hard. Let the Chinese and Indians take it.
Are they denied college slots because they can't understand advanced algebra? Other math could be required, like what we used to call "business math" - accounting basics and such.
Anybody with a daughter named Maia needs some kind of help.
Catherine brags about her inability to understand algebra. What is it with these people?
Good question.
I've always been good at math (boiased towards geometry over algebra in my school days). But hey, there were some subjects which I inherently didn't like. I dod ok in them but it wasn't fun. Maybe offering kids a choice is what the article is all about. But the problem is, kids that young are too young to know the consequences of choices they make. Nobody'll take math if its seen as tough and uncool to the larger detriment of these kids later in life.
One of my complaints about early algebra teaching is that it includes almost no application to real-world problems so that the need for it is a mystery for most students. I never understood algebraic, linear graphing until I saw it applied to breakeven analysis in business. Now, I understand it just fine and have taught it.
What high school students need, really, is some basic statistics. That is one of the most useful areas of math, except for basic, practical math. It would help people understand how statistics are used (and also misused and misrepresented) so much by the media and others.
When I was in school we didn't brag about what we couldn't do. We didn't advertise it when we had a hard time with a subject. People nowdays feel the problem isn't them. It's either the fault of the teacher or the subject matter is useless.
Fran Lebovitz, I believe, said something like "Resolutely refuse to remain conscious during algebra. I assure you, in the real world there's no such thing as algebra" [quoted from memory, and second-hand at that].
I hated geometry (I didn't believe the theorems, and wouldn't memorize them)....but I was good at Algebra I & II, and even better at Calculus probably BECAUSE I WAS PAYING TO LEARN IT! But, what really got me going was when my 11 year old son could do math problems in his head faster than I could.....then I REALLY started paying attention! And, his son....was doing double digit addition in his head when he was about 5-6 years old.....maybe there IS a gene?
When college freshmen complained about the algebra requirement to me, their history professor, I told them it was necessary to teach them to think logically. That is a good ability to have, no matter what one does in life.
My 11 year old son is a math whiz. Actually, all of my kids are great at math. I was good (engineering degree), but I think they are all better.
One of my daughters has brain damage, and I am very relieved that she is good at math because she has a very difficult time with talking, reading, and writing. She loves money and math, so I figure she'll be a good accountant because accountants don't have to talk much.
Yes, and the DISCIPLINE required to LEARN math, is helpful, also.
Given the mother's attitude toward algebra, it's no wonder to me that her daughter would have a great deal of difficulty with it.
If you can't do math, you should not graduate! Just like math, it's simple.
"Many years ago, I had to work very, very hard (with the help of Mr. Adler) to overcome my early deficiency in algebra in order to get into an MBA program."
Hey Good! I did mechanical engg and then an MBA. Despite that I only now realize the importance of statistics thanks to econometric courses I've taken.
"Once in, I took statistics, which you need some basic algebra for, and learned more about math than I thought I would ever be able to in my life. I have even taught classes that included both statistical and algebraic material. I never thought I would ever use algebra, when I was in high school, either, but I have used it a lot."
Couldn't agree more. Unless people can see WHY they're doing something, its a rote filled exercise.
Lemme assure you I like math well enough, and also respect it.
(:-D)
Perhaps the author should learn some math; at least the definition of average (and median.) From the article, it seem that she couldn't compute either if she used fingers and toes.
Mathematics is inherently racist.
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