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.

[smith288]

That explains why they outsource to India......just kidding .....

Haha. To be honest, some of the worst looking code is from foreign folks. It rarely makes sense, is usually very outdated and lacks any sort of commenting/documentation.

One thing I take huge pride in is my formatting of code for future ease of readability. Apparently India takes that out of their studies.

[Shooter1001]

Yeah man, whudd I need this stupid crap for, algebra an history too. I ain't never gonna need that crap! An Chemistry an Biology too. For what, man?
Dat stuuf is for dem stupid chinks an dotheads, all they ever do is study an dey don't never be havin no fun anyhow!

[Professional Engineer]

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

I guess solving this would be a problem?

lim_gpa->0 Engr=B.A.

[Indy Pendance]

I knew you'd find this thread!

[Quilla]

There are a few builders left in my neck of the woods that know how to properly "cut in" a roof. The younger framers will stick an entire roof out of 2x6's, regardless of span (sheesh), cutting rafters one at a time. Sadly, our building inspection department doesn't take the time to check span tables.

Personally, I'm a Smoley's fan.

[IYAAYAS]

I love calculus too!
Math is fun, one of my favorite things is when I learn something that I had always been taught was true turns out to not be true.

For instance:

(0) x (X) = 1 , what does X equal? There IS an answer. It turns out that not everything multiplied by zero equals zero.

Here's another one:

I had always been taught in calculus that the derivative of a discontinuity is 'undefined'. It turns out that isn't exactly true either.

10 e-donuts to whomever can answer either of the above!

HINT: They're both related.

In my opinion "real" math ends when you can understand Maxwell's equations using 3-dimensional vector calculus. Everything after that is just mental masturbation.

[Robert A Cook PE]

More accurately, the medieval Arabs PASSED ALONG the Indus invention of their number symbols and the zero to the (receptive) Europeans.

[Issaquahking]

Most pimps are spineless worms, so I think we can assume that a bullet will pass through at least one, thereby wounding a second possibly? See how things get complicated?

[YouPosting2Me]

2259

[SoothingDave]

Many people that "don't get" Algebra actually use it every day. They just don't know it's Algebra, so it doesn't scare them. Maybe we should just call Algebra "cookies" and more people would pass.

These people can teach their 6 year olds "if they have 2 apples, how many apples do they need to have 5 apples?"

But if you say "what is x if x + 2 = 5?", they think it's too hard.

SD

[Professional Engineer]

My reputation proceeds me. LOL

[Freedom is eternally right]

My husband and I were helping friends build a deck. They had a construction worker there to do the cutting and measuring, we were the nail pounders. When we left I remarked to my husband that I would love to have a speed square like they were using, just seemed so useful. Guess what my anniversary present was that year? A compound miter saw and a speed square.

[TankerKC]

But I have never needed Trig.

I've never "had" to run four miles or press 275 lbs from my chest, but having done these things (repeatedly) has certainly helped me in other physical (and mental) tasks.

[SoothingDave]

One thing I take huge pride in is my formatting of code for future ease of readability.

Formatting is for wimps. ;-)

SD

[usapatriot28]

I hope some math genius will tell me that's right and there's no simpler way to do it.

Actually, the easiest way is to just look at the receipt. ;) If that option isn't possible then, yes you did it correctly.

[YouPosting2Me]

Try these Roman Numbers.. Add up the first 6 characters.

I + V + X + L + C + D = 666 (queue the scary music)

[MineralMan]

Good deal. What's the next project?

[Shooter1001]

Do you really think the pyramids were built without

A^2 + B^2 = C^2 ??

[SoothingDave]

Infinity.

[Fawn]

Why is it I just can't grab my calulator and say: 508.00 minus 6%? You would think I would get the right number....