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 ...
Now, I had a first semester calc prof who insisted we learn all the theorems first. Which, made absolutely no sense until we started doing the mechanics of differentials and integrals.
Well, I didn't do that, so don't accuse me of it. I was trying to explain to the other poster that a PIC had nothing to do with a PID loop.
SD
Those that have that hard a time with algebra should not waste anymore time trying to learn it. Their time will be better spent in other pursuits.
You definately do not need algebra.
"Just when I they got through teaching me how to put letters together to form words and sentences some nit comes along and tries to tell me you can add them up too!"
Those that have that hard a time with algebra should not waste anymore time trying to learn it. Their time will be better spent in other pursuits.
Bookmark to read later Wow, over 500 replies to an algebra thread!
So we should have students opt out of any class they find to be hard?
Why are they idiots? I can do algebra, and as a home schooling parent, I even teach it to my children. However, I've never once in my life had to solve a quadratic equation, simultaneous equations, or anything beyond simple linear equations except in school.
There are fields where mathematical ability is vital. But for the vast majority of Americans competency in arithmetic is sufficient.
Who the heck cares. If it is that much worry to somone that they need to do some calculations over it, they need a therapist. And what if Jimmy Carter is elected again, then the guy driving 70 MPH is going to have to slow down to 55 MPH. Or, the guy driving 50 MPH is going to get shot at for driving that slow and holding up traffic and never get there anyhow.
The point is, there are so many other factors and variables that the whole exercise if rediculas and worthless. Alegbra Smalgebra!
Wow, you said it exactly! That's it!
In fairness, I see that particular flaw more often in conservatives than I see it in liberals. I can only speak for the liberals I know personally, but as a whole, they're least likely to look down on someone else because of their income or education than the conservatives I know. It's one of the many failings I see amongst the conservatives around me.
Things have changed since I was in school I guess. When I was in school D=RT was taught as arithmetic, and not algebra. Algebra began with polynomials.
Well into a six figure income? I don't think that would discourage anyone, as it's several times the national average.
Plus, what price can compensate knowing, for sure, that you are an idiot?
Again, percentages were something we learned in arithmetic while in school. Algrbra began with polynomials.
Absolutely. One of the interesting tib-bits that I've observed in my life is that engineers as a profession seem to be exceptionally poor at spelling. To me, being able to spell an essential skill that I can't imagine anyone being without, but apparently, you can do just fine without it.
The problem is, your alegbraic equation does not account for mold because you could not use all that ketchup in time. It is a rediculas waste, algebra.
Defenders of algebra say it is necessary for day to day life and then someone comes along and tries to say you need algebra to decide if you should buy 1 jar or a dozen jars of ketchup.
If you are going to use an example to support your argument that algebra is necessary, can't anyone come up with a good example?
...you don't need that freaking much ketchup (and it comes in a bottle, not a jar!).
If Cohen is your hero for making 6 figures but doesn't get algebra, then I am your hero on the other end of the spectrum. 6 figure income, no education past high school but I use algebra everyday to earn my income. So how about we keep it for those of us that dig holes for a living.
High school is meant to give a broad education on a variety of subjects. If certains areas are tough for some people it should help them decide a career path that focuses on their strengths while exposing their weaknesses.
If you can't learn algebra then at least learn, "Would you like fries with that?"
Paper or plastic?
LOL. either you are putting us on or you are really ignorant--determinedly so.
The fact that you well intentioned people do not realize this..is sad, both for yourselves and for those whom you grace with your uninformed opinions.
I was going to comment about you being a complete and total ass in your previous 2 two posts, then I read in your profile that you were a lawyer. I'm a firm believer that you can't teach dogs to be cats, so please continue in being a complete and total jerk. I'll just hang my head in shame that I didn't instantly recognize that you were a bottom feeder, and instead had to read it in your profile.
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