[taxcontrol]

I can see this argument for Trig and Calculus but not Algebra.

[ChinaThreat]

I would see the opposite. I think trig is one of the most applicable mathematic areas available to man. Algebra (not including very basic algebra) is not very applicable. I believe standard mathematics and statistics and trig are by far the most useful of the mathematical studies. And calculus, i have to agree with you there.

[RinaseaofDs]

Trig is used all the time, especially in construction. Try building a roof or a set of stairs without it. Try estimating the materials required without algebra. I would imagine people who sew use it quite a bit too.

Calculus is rightfully the gateway math into college.

[Issaquahking]

I can see this argument for Trig and Calculus but not Algebra.

I make my living from doing trig (pipe bending formula applications) and the classic definition is of calculus is "math in motion".

If these concepts are foreign to you, stay out of the engineering section of life!


Good example of a risky calculus question...

Of course you need algebra calculus everyday,

If DeShawn sells 27 crack rocks at ten dollars each, and then takes the money and buys a new Saturday Night Special, how many pimps can he whack in the next two nights before the cops can trace the bullets?.........

Lots of variables...after the $270 is pocketed...

$50 (assuming it has to be "hot" for less than $270) for a Saturday night special...

After three shots the barrel heats and rounds tend to wander...

Can a .38 pass through more than one pimp for a two-fer?

Anyone have a "smart" calculator???

[FroedrickVonFreepenstein]

I love Calculus

[kevkrom]

I can see this argument for Trig and Calculus but not Algebra.

Bah... you do calculus every day, whether you realize it or not. Ever catch something thrown at you? Your brain had to do differential calculus to predict the path of the thrown object. Whenever I tutored someone who would claim that they "can't" do calculus, the first thing I would do is toss something like a tennis ball at them -- whether they caught it or not, at least getting in the ballpark shows that their brain is capable of doing it, at which point it was just a matter of turning it into a conscious act instead of an unconscious one.