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What Is the Value of Algebra?
The Washington Post ^ | February 16, 2006 | Richard Cohen

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: education; matheducation
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To: Fawn
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 It rarely makes sense, is usually very outdated and lacks any sort of commenting/documentation.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.

321 posted on 03/07/2006 12:02:24 PM PST by smith288 (http://angryprogrammer.typepad.com)
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To: RBroadfoot

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!


322 posted on 03/07/2006 12:02:47 PM PST by Shooter1001
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To: RBroadfoot
Algebra ruined many a day for me. Now it could ruin your life.

I guess solving this would be a problem?

limgpa->0 Engr=B.A.

323 posted on 03/07/2006 12:03:23 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Ground Zero - microscopic and colossal at the same time.)
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To: Professional Engineer

I knew you'd find this thread!


324 posted on 03/07/2006 12:04:02 PM PST by Indy Pendance
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To: shelterguy; MineralMan

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.


325 posted on 03/07/2006 12:04:32 PM PST by Quilla
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To: FroedrickVonFreepenstein
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.
326 posted on 03/07/2006 12:04:41 PM PST by IYAAYAS (Live free or die trying)
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To: Tokra
More accurately, the medieval Arabs PASSED ALONG the Indus invention of their number symbols and the zero to the (receptive) Europeans.
327 posted on 03/07/2006 12:04:51 PM PST by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but Hillary's ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: jpl

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?


328 posted on 03/07/2006 12:05:04 PM PST by Issaquahking
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To: Tokra

2259


329 posted on 03/07/2006 12:05:10 PM PST by YouPosting2Me
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To: Kaylee Frye
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

330 posted on 03/07/2006 12:06:22 PM PST by SoothingDave
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To: Indy Pendance

My reputation proceeds me. LOL


331 posted on 03/07/2006 12:06:25 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Ground Zero - microscopic and colossal at the same time.)
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To: MineralMan; shelterguy

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.


332 posted on 03/07/2006 12:07:09 PM PST by Freedom is eternally right
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To: taxcontrol
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.

333 posted on 03/07/2006 12:07:15 PM PST by TankerKC (Pull your head out.)
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To: smith288
One thing I take huge pride in is my formatting of code for future ease of readability.

Formatting is for wimps. ;-)

SD

334 posted on 03/07/2006 12:08:03 PM PST by SoothingDave
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To: Taliesan
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.

335 posted on 03/07/2006 12:08:06 PM PST by usapatriot28
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To: Tokra

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

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


336 posted on 03/07/2006 12:08:19 PM PST by YouPosting2Me
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To: JaneAustin

Good deal. What's the next project?


337 posted on 03/07/2006 12:08:35 PM PST by MineralMan (godless atheist)
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To: Tokra

Do you really think the pyramids were built without

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


338 posted on 03/07/2006 12:10:28 PM PST by Shooter1001
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To: IYAAYAS

Infinity.


339 posted on 03/07/2006 12:10:39 PM PST by SoothingDave
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To: Taliesan

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....


340 posted on 03/07/2006 12:11:58 PM PST by Fawn (I want the Madonna and Mick Jagger diet and exercise books!!!)
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