[cva66snipe]

Algebra is largely unimportant in most peoples lives. How to manage finances etc. should be the major emphasis of general higher mathematical education.

That is very true especially with students who will not be going to college. It should not be a required course. Basic Math and practical application Math such as ones finances and even how to make correct change {without a cash register} should be taught.

I had basic Math in high school. During the early 1980's downturn being able to give customers correct change without the cash register's assistance got me a job. Many kids today can not count back customers change from the amount due to the amount handed them by the customer.

This method helps cut down on mistakes and more important SCAMs where the customers says the change wasn't correct. You count it to them in that method then both of you can catch the mistake. I didn't put the money in the till until the customer pocketed their change.

[Chode]

yup, wanna make em squeal, give them a ten and a one for something that costs $5.75 and watch them scratch their heads... or cry

[Stegall Tx]

Algebra is largely unimportant in most peoples lives.

I tell my math-teacher sister that they need to drop the word "algebra" and call the class "what if?". Almost all of algebra can be taught by asking "what if" and discovering a method to determine the answer.

What if your car gets 9 mpg and you have 2 gallons of gas? Once they see how that one works, then generalize the question. What if your car gets 9 mpg ... how would you determine how much gas it needs to get somewhere?

What if you are at the south-west corner of a section of land (1 mile square) and you need to get to a point that is in the center of the section ... how far will you need to travel to get there by the shortest path?

What if Obama is re-elected and the national debt takes off in an exponential rate. How much will your generation owe in 12 years?

Start off asking "what if" and discover a method. Hopefully, discover two or three and learn that there are usually multiple ways to get to the correct answer ... and, most importantly, how to determine which one is the better method in this problem.

Of course, all this might explain why I'm teaching computers and not math.