What Is the Value of Algebra?

The Washington Post ^ | February 16, 2006 | Richard Cohen

[RBroadfoot]

None, according to Richard Cohen of the Washington Post.

EXCERPT: I am haunted by Gabriela Ocampo. ... failing algebra six times in six semesters, trying it a seventh time and finally just despairing over ever getting it.

The L.A. school district now requires all students to pass a year of algebra ...

Here's the thing, Gabriela: You will never need to know algebra. I have never once used it and never once even rued that I could not use it. ...

Gabriela, sooner or later someone's going to tell you that algebra teaches reasoning. This is a lie propagated by, among others, algebra teachers. Writing is the highest form of reasoning. This is a fact. Algebra is not. The proof of this, Gabriela, is all the people in my high school who were whizzes at math but did not know a thing about history and could not write a readable English sentence. ...

Algebra ruined many a day for me. Now it could ruin your life.

[Vermont Lt]

Trade school? Try figuring out compression ratios. Try figuring out how much paint to buy to paint the house. Try figuring out how to build a house that is square and plub. What kind of pipe do you need in a house with two bathrooms vs. one bathroom.

I was a banker and I did not use THAT much math. My dad barely got out of high school and he built his own house. I still find math calculations written on the sides of floor joices (I know I probably spelled that wrong.)

Trade schoolers need to know more practical math than almost anyone else (except you engineers and accountants, and what not....)

[PallMal]

It was hard, but it was very satisfying to get over that hump. I will say that I never appreciated Algebra as a tool until I took Calculus.

Well, after hearing a calculus teacher say many times "... and after doing the algebra, the final solution to the calculus problem is ..." with all the algebra steps left out, you really have no choice, but to learn algebra, and quickly.

Most calculus teachers will not waste their time going over algebra.

[Cboldt]

Algebra, Scamalgebra. If you want to go places, you need to know trigonometry.

How else would one find the answer to, "If it takes two sticks of dynamite up a billy goat's rear to blow off one horn, how many sheep does a sheep dog have to eat to shit a wool hat?"

[djf]

The networks and MSM use it to figure out the "lowest common denominator"

[Last Dakotan]

What is the value of Algebra?

So I can make more money than the morons on this thread who take pride in their ignorance.

[Tribune7]

There's a pretty good chance that with a good understanding of Algebra, you could have had even a better life than you've had.

Well put.

[Taliesan]

Gabriela, sooner or later someone's going to tell you that algebra teaches reasoning. This is a lie propagated by, among others, algebra teachers. Writing is the highest form of reasoning.

This actually illustrates the flaw in the liberal character; they mistake symbol for substance, surface for depth, ornament for structure, the way a thing is said for what is said. They value verbal facility over accurate thought (cf. any West Wing script). In short, they are both witty and addicted to affect, at once cynical and gullible. It's a fascinating pathology really.

[Political Junkie Too]

If
x=the number of American students who know algebra,
y=the number of Indian students who know algebra,
z=the number of Chinese students who know algebra, and
d=the United Nations, then solve the equation
ax+by+cz+d=Total Global Domination.

-PJ

[Toby06]

508/1.06 = 479.25

Same exact problem, shortcutted, without introducing the letters. To underwhy it works, you need to use the breakdown like you did.

This is the kind of grocery store algebra people use every day (IF THEY DON'T WANT TO GET SCREWED!) and hardly even realize it.

[xzins]

What Is the Value of Algebra?

X?

[edpc]

I loved Algebra! and Geometry and Trig and Calculus. I just have a thing for numbers I guess.

Who doesn't love "prime numbers".....?

[jpsb]

"I never passed algebra and only made it to pre-algebra. I am now a professional programmer"

You are fortunate that I am in a kind mood today.

[Political Junkie Too]

Have you been to Costco where you can buy a jar of ketchup for a lot cheaper, but you have to buy a dozen jars?

-PJ

[Quark2005]

But at least America's kids self esteem is left intact (when they are flipping burgers and cleaning toilets at the age of 40.)

At least they'll feel good about flipping burgers and cleaning toilets.

[Alberta's Child]

According to the University of North Dakota website, the word algebra is a Latin variant of the Arabic word al-jabr>. This came from the title of a book, Hidab al-jabr wal-muqubala, written in Baghdad about 825 A.D. by the Arab mathematician Mohammed ibn-Musa al-Khowarizmi.

What it doesn't mention -- but I find quite interesting -- is that the name "al-Khowarizmi" is the origin of the word algorithm, which is a term used to describe a repetitive, or iterative, process of solving a problem.

[River_Wrangler]

It's not necessary to learn algebra if you can learn to say "Want fries wid yer bugger?

[Toby06]

Even the illegals who come here and install your pool or fence or stone wall or landscaping know how to use algebra!

[Flavius Josephus]

He don't know, he never seen his di<k

[Brilliant]

No, but she could make more money if she had the aptitude for mathematics. She could be an economist, or an accountant, or an engineer.

I do agree with the guy, though, that if you don't have it, then you don't have it, and there's no sense fretting over it. Just do something else.

[Joan Kerrey]

I don't remember taking Algebra (grad 1957) or that it was a required course. At 65 I can't ever remember an instance when anything more than business math was necessary. I am also a pilot and never had a need to use anymore than simple math and I became a pilot before many of the navigation aids were developed for small private airplanes.