Posted on 03/07/2006 10:12:59 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I've used arithmetic and algebra nearly every day of my professional life; trig on occasion, and calculus never.
You must have either had a hell of a big fuel tank or carried way too much fuel. How did you ever calculate an ETA without using algebra?
'y = mx + b' - Slippery slope alert!
If Kenyetta gets drunk at a party and has sex with 10 different men, what percent certain is she that Vishawn is little Mustafa's father when she appears on the Maury show for a paternity test?
a) 10%
b) 100%
c) 200%
d) 1,000%
And the correct answer is d) 1,000%
(Sorry, day off, watching Maury)
Thank you. I needed a good laugh this morning and your post made me laugh out loud. Can I borrow that statement for a tag line? Please.....
Youre correct. BASIC algebra is need to handle trig.
2 + 2 = Whatever Allah says it equals. Or I'll CHOP OFF YOUR HEAD!!!
I didn't know it was a George/Gracie bit; I heard it was attributed to the late Don Knotts (and admit, you can easily hear him saying that).
Related to gibberish.
Because real-life situations that require algebra do not always lay themselves out for you as a nice simple equation. Once you figure out how to prepare an algebra equation and replace the unknown quantity with a letter, it is pretty simple to get to the unknown amount.
I use it constantly in the construction trade. I also have to deal with the people that feel they don't need it. They do. They just don't think so.
I think he was referring to the number on her shirt!
Ever try to ballpark how much cash you'd have left from your paycheck, after you got finished paying taxes and bills?
You just did algebra....
I think you make skewed assumptions from a self centered view of your own perceived talents. No offense.
You have never used the pythagorean theory?
Right.....but what's that on her jersey right square in the middle of her chest? (which you're supposed to be looking at anyway....not her hands)
Nevermind.....if you have to explain it..........
If you had asked me that in 1960, I could have told you.
The combination of the Arabic numbering system (which allowed Westerners to overcome the severe limitations of Roman system) and a Judaeo-Christian worldview (which trained people to think of history in a linear sense instead of the cyclical mindset that defines aboriginal cultures) is the only reason we are here today.
Richard Cohen -- with his writing skills -- is the equivalent of a prehistoric cave painter who had a remarkable ability to put his thoughts in written form but basically went through life scratching fleas in his hair and peeing in his own drinking water.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.