Whether it is used is certainly an advantage.
Its another example of just teaching people to think and reason for themselves.
Whether it is used is certainly an advantage.
Its another example of just teaching people to think and reason for themselves.
Aubrey Blalock
Trotec Speedy 400 80W
CAMaster Panther 4x4
Several Powermatic & Festool
Its called an EQUATION. Both sides are equal. To keep this true, whatever is done to one side of the equation needs to be done to the other or you have an inequality. Thus, you must subtracr 5 from BOTH sides of that equation. You, and most everyone, forgets that, and skips proper accounting.
I have used algebra all my life as a scientist. Lots of solving for x in making many different solutions and other routine things.
Wade, I am convinced that the most one can hope for is to understand differential equations temporarily. I did, one summer, long ago, now its gone forever.
Differential equations are SOOO derivative.
I have heard that the rate of understanding of differential equations diminishes exponentially with time, but I can't remember the exact equation.
It wasn't until I took college physics and engineering courses that differential equations actually started making some sense and could actually be used.
Lee Schierer
USNA '71
Go Navy!
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As an engineer, I have used algebra my entire career. To me, that question is the same as asking why we still teach people to read.
That's a great point.
Rather than dump any kind of instruction perhaps things could be taught in entirely different ways. A story in yesterday's paper was about a program that uses music to get kids excited about math. They found it worked better than they expected, changing kids who said they hated math, the school programs were dumb, and they didn't want to go to collage. Several weeks later some of the same kids are saying they love math (pre-algebra), it's their favorite subject. They plan to use these concepts to improve methods of learning and help kids to realize their potential. So many just give up.
I still don’t understand why the OP seems to hate math so much. And why his grandson who is in college is taking algebra.
I vote we buy him this hat.
A professor from the mid west was held at the airport while carrying a protractor and compass...weapons of math instruction.
A new terrorist cell is having problems recruiting in America. Loyal Americans tremble at it's name, Al Ge Bra.
I suspect the OP is overwhelmed by how seriously his post was taken. It struck me as simply wry humor.
Rick Potter
DIY journeyman,
FWW wannabe.
AKA Village Idiot.
Yoga class makes me feel like a total stud, mostly because I'm about as flexible as a 2x4.
"Design"? Possibly. "Intelligent"? Sure doesn't look like it from this angle.
We used to be hunter gatherers. Now we're shopper borrowers.
The three most important words in the English language: "Front Towards Enemy".
The world makes a lot more sense when you remember that Butthead was the smart one.
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