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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To really believe algebra is a waste of time...

212 replies

Feminine · 13/12/2011 23:33

unless you are intending to go in to a math/science driven career?

Not radical I know Wink but really, its a waste of time isn't it?

I think teens would be better off concentrating on math that actually helps when they leave school...I have a teen myself and teen siblings -I hear this opinion regularly.Many of the brightest students struggle with it, surely they could do something else? something more practical perhaps?

The jobs I have heard it is used in, is quite silly.

If I am ignorant, and we would would all be much better off if we were all better at it , then I (in advance) apologize. :)

OP posts:
LEttletownofBOFlehem · 13/12/2011 23:41

It improves your logical thinking skills. It is the essence of problem-solving. Do you really want education to turn out a stream of dullards? If you drop beautiful but difficult aspects of any subject, then you are on the road to merely considering education as job-training, in which case you might as well decide at age seven or something what people should do as an adult, and concentrate on showing them how to operate an espresso machine or similar.

1Catherine1 · 13/12/2011 23:41

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

YABU

You have made this maths teacher very unhappy!!

One could equally argue that history is not important unless you plan to go into politics or a history based career. I still had to suffer through that.

And Geography, why bother learning it unless you want to travel the world and know where stuff is.

And English literature unless you... idk.. erm... want to become a writer?

And art unless you want to become an artist

etc...

See my point? Perhaps we should make children decide their whole future before starting school so they don't have to learn anything they might possibly not need!

meala · 13/12/2011 23:43

Argh!!!! Why don't people love algebra?! It is so neat and beautiful and satisfying Smile.

I teach algebra and have been asked this question. It really is useful in real life. I have used it when decorating my house, making things budgeting and loads more things. If you don't know algebra, for some calculations it's possible to work out what you need to know without algebra but this can be more time consuming.

I would disagree with your comment that the brightest students struggle with it. I haven't found this myself. However, it does build up and if a student misses some work it can be really tricky to try to see what is going on. Algebra is vital for other school subjects (eg physics, sciences) and for more advanced maths.

article here with more views

Pendeen · 13/12/2011 23:45

Architecture is probably one of the most artistic careers imaginable however without algebra my buildings would simply fall over.

YABY

Original poster
Feminine · 13/12/2011 23:45

No, my point is not to do away with all math...just algebra (for those that struggle)

I understand all your points catherine.

Maybe I do want school to teach things that actually make our children employable?

I don't know?

I get so many complaints about it ...it made me wonder :)

OP posts:
Pendeen · 13/12/2011 23:45

U

LEttletownofBOFlehem · 13/12/2011 23:46

How on earth are logical thinking and attention to detail not marketable job skills?

reelingintheyears · 13/12/2011 23:47

God it was boring ....

I hated Maths and especially algebra...

I can't remember a single thing about it.

Original poster
Feminine · 13/12/2011 23:48

Meala ... take my son for example, he is 13.

For about 3 years he has been computer programing and scripting (self taught) and yet struggles with even basic algebra?

He is fantastic at basic math , can already do most of the A level math he has looked over ...minus the blooming algebra!

OP posts:
Friendlymum67 · 13/12/2011 23:49

Sticking my head above the parapet I would agree with Feminine .... My DS was really struggling with this the other night and I was no help and can't see the benefit, but then I have never been strong academically, more of a creative thinker Xmas Smile. (Off to hide behind parapet again ..... Xmas Hmm

Original poster
Feminine · 13/12/2011 23:50

littletown I see what you are saying :)

But surely those skills can be taught in different forms?

OP posts:
LEttletownofBOFlehem · 13/12/2011 23:51

It is the ultimate in conceptual thinking, and worth persevering with. Otherwise what? Think yourself brilliant, but avoid a challenge?

Original poster
Feminine · 13/12/2011 23:54

How do you mean "think yourself brilliant" :)

To me , it looks a little interesting -nothing like math though?

I did something at school called BODMAS? I was quite good , didn't do any algebra as I attended a performing arts school and skipped it Blush

OP posts:
AdditionMultiplication · 13/12/2011 23:56

Algebra is brilliant. Just brilliant.

On my phone so crap examples, but you use it everyday. Working out quantities, and even in the most basic form, 6 kids plus five kids equals what? 6+5=x

Original poster
Feminine · 13/12/2011 23:57

Thank you all for the examples where it can be used though :)

OP posts:
Alibabaandthe80nappies · 13/12/2011 23:57

I am not a mathematician, but there is something very soothing about solving quadratic equations!

YAB totally U, totally.

You seem to be suggesting that people should shy away from everything that they find difficult?

Original poster
Feminine · 13/12/2011 23:59

addition but isn't that example just basic math ...addition? Confused

:)

OP posts:
LEttletownofBOFlehem · 13/12/2011 23:59

I mean that if you stick to what comes easily, you'll have an inflated idea of your capabilities. But if you push yourself, even when something is a challenge, you'll get a real sense of satisfaction when you eventually crack it, and you will have learned the value of effort and hard work, while increasing your skills.

reelingintheyears · 13/12/2011 23:59

Brilliant people come in all forms...

Not just in Maths...

Maths is important but i can't do it and i'm not a fool, nor am i brilliant at anything.

1Catherine1 · 14/12/2011 00:00

I actually think it is interesting from a teachers point of view. I teach maths as I previously said and when it comes to algebra I am particularly enthusiastic. I find that about 75% of the pupils I teach can do algebra compared with about 5% that claim they can do algebra. The problem I find is that people perceive it to be hard hence make it hard. I am constantly reminding pupils not to make the problem more difficult than it needs to be and slowly they come around to my way of thinking. Personally (and I will be unpopular for saying this) I blame the lack of algebraic understanding of primary school teachers who introduce students to algebra. Quite often with my year 7 classes I can instantly tell which pupils have been taught by those that understand the subject and those that have been taught by those that don't. Some years it is a 50-50 split but some years it can be a lot more that have to be untaught and retaught.

Algebra has plenty of real life uses the main being logical thinking. The instant ability to consider "is that a reasonable solution?". I believe my ability to deduce things has saved me a fortune over the years but I must confess to enjoying algebra for the sake of algebra.

must dash, baby awake again :(

reelingintheyears · 14/12/2011 00:00

Is adding up algebra?

Original poster
Feminine · 14/12/2011 00:01

No. Alibaba I didn't say that.Confused

I am just wondering about algebra ...thats all! :)

Surely it would make a lot of teachers lives easier too?

OP posts:
LEttletownofBOFlehem · 14/12/2011 00:01

Fair enough, reeling, but you wouldn't advocate just dropping anything tricky from the curriculum, surely?

Alibabaandthe80nappies · 14/12/2011 00:03

OP do you realise how you come across here?

'My son is so gifted, but he can't do X, therefore X must be useless and unnecessary and should be removed from the curriculum.'

In all seriousness, if he wants to get anywhere with formal qualifications for programming then he will needs Maths, so he will need to get his head around the algebra.

reelingintheyears · 14/12/2011 00:06

No i wouldn't.

But i could not do Maths/algebra/fucking fractions/trigonometry.....ad nauseum.

Most people probably can understand it but will never use it in their lives.

Some people have different talents and Maths isn't mine.