Penn State has a class called The Mathematics of Money Math 34 It teaches students about investments, credit card debt, stock options, and basic business math. Not for arts students. Or determine how much of something you can buy at a given price? Algebra is part of budgeting and finances. Math can easily be done through numeration no need to equate 12 eggs is 2.
However Cheese is 5. Go to Store 1. Now it comes down to how much I value my time to shop around and the distance between the stores. In my own life, they are within walking distance so I shop around get eggs at Store 2, then walk and get cheese at Store 1.
I never need an algebraic equation to do this action. I just base it on the lowest cost for value no higher math needed. Algebra would help, however, now it comes down to intangibles your willingness to take risk and investors profile and time duration.
In this case, either work. If you want more risk and more return that would be more aggressive in a shorter duration and Stock A is best. Algebra would be needed if you want to know the maximum of the eggs you consume before expiration on average to reduce or mitigate any food waste based on your own consumption.
Or draw risk curves and time duration you want an asset to appreciate and calculate future interest if there is compounding. Example setting up a DRIP Dividend Reinvestment Plan on Stock B versus pure stock appreciation in stock A and or if you want to Dollar Cost Average Then formulas would be convenient to have to estimate the best return for the risk taken and time investment.
In the end, Algebra is a tool, not always needed however it can be a useful tool in your own toolkit however a foundation in simple math can handle most everyday decisions involving Finance. Number 2 is factual and therefor a reasonable explanation for why one should learn algebra; the other reasons are purely subjective. Yes, it is important to strengthen ones critical thinking skills, and may indeed be useful if one decides to pursue a science or math-based career, but otherwise the pursuit of conquering algebra is without long-lasting purpose.
I agree wholeheartedly, and I had to endure advanced algebra, calculus and statistics to get my bachelors, totally unnecessary. And my counselor said that if I had taking just two more semesters I could get a degree in mathematics, No, I declined the kind offer.
And, yes the reasons are coming from a person who just likes algebra. Its like hearing the reason to learn knife skills from a Master Chef…. In my opinion, there are many reasons why we must learn algebra. First, for beginners, algebra is foundational for advanced math classes. Second, algebra is useful for our life.
In the modern era, algebra is used in all modern technology, for examples google, internet, mobil phone, and digital television. Third, algebra can reinforces our logical thinking. Learning algebra help us to develop our critical thinking skills, including problem solving, logic, and pattern. In the university, many of major like statistic, pharmacy, and mathematic are required have a good knowledge of algebra. So, algebra is an important subject for our life in the next time.
Student: Why do we need to learn algebra? Teacher: Do you lift weights or work out in the gym? Student: Sure. It makes my muscles work better. Teacher: Will you ever lift weights or exercise for a job? Student: No. But it will help me have the stamina to do my job. Teacher: Well, algebra is a work out for your brain which helps you think logically that will also help you do your job.
I am a system engineer, an a successful one at that, working in technology every day. Other than the 4 basic operations, and percentages, I do not use any of the advanced calculus, or statistics I had to study to get my degree. I use fractions for cooking. Your reasons why we learn algebra are really reasons why you learn algebra.
But some of us are just not into it. Advance math should be all elective followed by those who discovered a passion for it. The rest of us can be left alone with the 4 operators, very useful, percentages, and fractions. Algebra should not be made to be a one size fits all subject to learn.
It should not be mandated as a graduation requirement, either. There are other ways to do that without the use of algebraic equations. Thank you for this article. It has been 50 years since I asked this question to my algebra teacher in class. She did not answer me. I was serious. What would a homemaker do with this skill? What she should of done was tell the whole class this information.
Plus she could of said if you ever want to be a nurse or dental hygienist this will be a prerequisite. Tell the world. Lots of theory but I would like a specific application, please. The one about refinancing can be done easily without algebra. Are there basic rules and applications that are ingrained in your mind, like how to multiply and divide.
Please enlighten me. Here is one that an owner of a coffee shop asked me. Algebra was invented by the Arabs in the 9th century to avoid squabbles and keep people from feeling cheated.
You have to understand it to use it of course. I hate algebra. It gives me a headache. Who wants to sit there and figure out what y or g or a is. First of all why would you be given half of the information of something in the first place. Maybe for measurements it can save you time and physical work but to not know how much sue gets payed a hour if she gets payed a week, basic division works just fine. I am a High School Math teacher and I strongly believe that most of the reasons for Algebra here are bogus.
Furthermore, more students are polite and go along with it but do not really buy it. However, the reason I teach Algebra and stress to kids the importance of it is simply this. That means to be a dental hygenist or a cop in some districts , you will need to pass that Math class. Many of their peers find out years later the roadblock that math becomes. It can either open doors or close doors. Why that is is a bigger question but that is a fact. And how many people become mathematicians?
Not many. Yet still calculus and algebra are being taught to everyone! Fascinating right? Key word is some. This is the form I am being taught. And going back to one of my main arguments, when will I need to know statistics and calculus or calculate the population growth of rabbits? Dear Aidan, Thank you so much for you thorough response.
I am a mother of two exceptional students both who have dyslexia and one with ADHD and physical special needs. How do you think you make a perfect shot at the trash can? Yes, you guessed it right! You apply algebra in this case as well. While aiming at the trash can, you unconsciously calculate the distance between yourself and trash can, air resistance, the weight of the trash you want to throw away, required trajectory, and the force required so that the piece of trash lands into the trash can.
Your application of algebra while aiming at the trash can does not end here. You also estimate the strength of the nerve impulse which has to be sent to each muscle at the right time to contract or relax it. In case, you still miss your shot, you definitely did not do your algebra well. Algebra is as crucial in business as in other fields. A business owner makes use of algebraic operations to calculate the profits or losses incurred.
A business person will employ algebra to decide whether a piece of equipment does not lose its worth while it is in stock. Also, the business owner needs to calculate the lowest price at which an item can be sold to still cover the expenses. As for the people working in the finance area, exchange rates and interest rates are often represented algebraically; therefore, good knowledge of algebraic operations is necessary to carry out finances accurately.
Also, in order to understand the terms and conditions of a loan or an investment account, a sound knowledge of numbers, especially algebra, is required. Moreover, the growth in the business market is often exponential, which also requires a good knowledge of basic algebraic operations.
Algebra does not even leave behind sports to make use of it. If you look closely, the players of almost all the sports, unintentionally, apply algebra. The cricketers are able to hit sixes only because they are able to calculate the force required to hit the ball and basketball players calculate the trajectory to score a point.
In a similar fashion, footballers calculate the force and distance so as to score a goal and sprinters estimate the speed required to cover the distance to reach the endpoint; therefore, each and every sport involve algebra in one way or the other. Moreover, you might be surprised to know that even dogs employ algebra to calculate the time and distance in order to catch hold of a boomerang or a food morsel mid-air.
You might think that algebra has no role to play in the kitchen, especially while cooking. However, the truth might not be stranger to the kitchen or even cooking.
Algebra finds its way while cooking, baking, measuring ingredients, etc. The ones who are beginners in the kitchen often consult recipe books while preparing a particular dish. The temperature in the recipe book might be given on a Celsius scale and one might have to convert it other scales depending on the dial involved.
Also, take the following example: while preparing Thanksgiving Dinner, the turkey has to be cooked as per its weight. You can very well calculate the same using algebraic operations. Had it not been for algebra, you might not be having flat screen TVs or smartphones. The computer games that you play endlessly, mobile phones that you use, cars that you drive, it because of the people who are adept at algebra that such situations are made possible.
In algebra, specific numbers are replaced by symbols. While playing a computer game, you see a character; that character is nothing but a string of symbols. A computer programmer uses his knowledge of algebra to put forth the string of symbols. Also, a set of rules are followed to make the symbols interact in the right way which also requires algebra.
New to Homeschooling or Thinking About Homeschooling? Here are 5 examples: Cooking : Have you ever had to double or half a recipe? To do those proportions, you are using algebra. Also, converting from cups to tablespoons, teaspoons to tablespoons, etc.
Home Improvement: Every time you paint a room you must figure out how much paint you need. You measure the walls and figure out the area of the room. This is algebra. This same logic can be used on floorings, ceilings, backsplashes, landscaping etc. Finances: Any time we deal with money, algebra is involved. Loans, investments, budgeting, etc. How much gas can I get? You divide it out and find you can get about 12 gallons of gas not counting tax.
This is an algebra problem.
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