Skip to main content

An article published last Fall titled "Is Algebra Necessary?" sparked a lively debate on the blogs. One of my favorite "yes" responses, "Make Us Do...

Those who know while in high school how the rest of their lives will develop are possibly fortunate. There may be some comfort in knowing exactly what one will be doing ten or twenty years down the road. For most of us however, we are not so gifted with certainty with regard to our futures. We enroll in colleges and universities with the expectation and the hope of being inspired by some academic discipline. Then we will be able to begin to shape our future accordingly. And if we do not know what the future holds, then we do not know what types of knowledge we will or will not require during the course of the next 50 years. 

The question asked routinely among high school students -- why do I have to take algebra -- has been around for many decades, if not longer. There are two main reasons why it is important for students to study algebra. The first is the uncertainty regarding our future. Many students who attend college do not know what they want to study during their freshman and their sophomore years. Once they commit to a certain direction, they begin to realize that subjects they found dull or unnecessary in high school, or even earlier in college, are suddenly essential for advancement in their chosen field. Many, myself included, find that a stronger foundation in mathematics would have made their lives a lot easier -- a realization that could continue to haunt them for the rest of their lives.


The second major reason why studying algebra is important is the practical use it provides in everyday life. Unless one plans to be dependent upon professional accountants and upon the honesty of those with whom one comes into contact in financial contexts on a daily basis, it seriously helps to know math, including algebra. Knowledge of algebra is key to understanding many financial matters, including calculating the costs of using credit cards -- a situation in which most people find themselves but in which few are capable of making informed decisions. There are many more practical applications of algebra in our daily lives, including apportioning elements for maximum effect in a project (e.g., determining the quantity of ingredients needed for a volume greater or less than that called-for in a published cook book). Suffice to say, algebraic equations are used by most individuals more often then they realize. The more one understands algebra, then, the more comfortable one will be navigating everyday life.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...