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...
Post a Comment
Read more

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more