What I find interesting on this thread, those interested in math, are interested in other subjects. Those trashing math seem to not want knowledge. Math is the universal language. Most everything can be defined using some type of math.
I think my very first post on this thread I noted that algebra is an abstraction of mathematics. It is one of the first, if not the first, such "abstract" thinking exercises one finds in one's schooling. It is not about 2+2 being 4, it is about what we can say about numbers in general and their relationships with one another and how they obey certain rules.
I think ideally everyone should be able to learn basic algebra, but perhaps requiring it for graduation is not something the students and schools are prepared for. I know everyone didn't need algebra to graduate when I did in the 80s.
SD
I was scrolling through here since I posted a couple of items and wanted to reply to your statement about "math being the universal language."
I believe this with my whole heart. I learned years ago that music is math. We know art and architecture are math. The human body (and I am studying anatomy at present)functions in a very mathematical way. It's cool. I wish I understood it more. I remember hearing once that if you really understand the highest levels of math that it has a true beauty to it.
I think someday when I go to heaven I will finally see clearly and that some of the wonders of our world and the universe will unfold as some form of math equation.