Is Algebra Necessary?

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

I find the whole "look at this aspect of the course that I haven't used" argument very disingenuous. Most people do (or, in reality, should) use the knowledge learned in history classes in their political behavior. Even if certain pieces of information never come to fruitition, others (and more importantly themes and historical trends) most certainly will.

Isn't that exactly the argument for the importance of algebra? I really don't see the difference you're pointing at.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Siri

Isn't that exactly the argument for the importance of algebra? I really don't see the difference you're pointing at.

"I never used the quadratic equation" vs. "I never used algebra."

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

"I never used the quadratic equation" vs. "I never used algebra."

huh. ok. I see it more as "I never use American literature or algebra" versus "I never employ the themes and trends I learned in American literature or algebra" first statement true for both, second statement false for both. As far as actual information once told to me by a teacher that I then called upon and executed on in my daily life, algebra beats all my history and literature courses [distinguished from writing and foriegn language] combined by an underwhelming 2 to 0 (but it wasn't polynomial). As far as trends, understandings and thinking skills I learned in them being useful day-to-day, they're about tied approaching infinity. Do you not find yourself using the trends and themes from algebra in your daily life? Maybe I just think weirdly. Never mind then.