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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:
Original poster
Feminine · 14/12/2011 00:07

See, my point is (here anyway) because SO many of the students can't grasp it , why carry on?

I am not saying drop anything we find a challenge but because I failed to see what use it was outside a math related career ...my AIBU came about.

There have been some good examples here though.

Maybe my son is working me?

OP posts:
ShellyBoobs · 14/12/2011 00:08

Algebra is great!

Even things like creating fairly basic spreadsheet formulae would be impossible without algebra. Our basic admin' staff need to be proficient at spreadsheet formulae so it's not just for mathmeticians/scientists.

Interesting to read that your son is ok with A-level maths if you take algebra out of the picture. I honestly can't think of much in maths at that level which doesn't involve algebra, unless it's changed vastly in the last 20 years.

Maybe you're thinking about algebra at a too in-depth level?

AdditionMultiplication · 14/12/2011 00:09

as I said, in its most BASIC form
The OP didn't define the level of algebra ;)

LordOfTheFlies · 14/12/2011 00:09

IIRC I quite liked algebra at school, but it has served me no use in real life.

Even worse, Trigonometry and Calculus .

Why??

Original poster
Feminine · 14/12/2011 00:10

allbaba what rubbish?

I didn't say anything of the sort Confused

I only used him as an example of a child that obviously can work things out (in a similar style) but still hated it.

See?

please don't turn my thread in to something its not.

I am surrounded my teens , mine and my siblings ~ I hear it regularly :)

OP posts:
reelingintheyears · 14/12/2011 00:11

Trigonometry is working out angles iirc.

FFS Xmas Grin

Alibabaandthe80nappies · 14/12/2011 00:12

OP I think your son is pulling the wool a bit here, and I agree with Shelly about there not being much A level maths that isn't algebra in one way or another.

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

Shelly ...I know Wink

confusing for me too...he understood it all.

But here in the US, he flunks all the papers.

Its not all about my son though ...I hope I have made that clear now :)

OP posts:
Pendeen · 14/12/2011 00:13

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

My career is hugely artistic, creative and mainly non-scientific / mathematical yet algebra was an integral part of my education and is essential to my daily practice.

I'm afraid YABU.

Alibabaandthe80nappies · 14/12/2011 00:14

It is just at thing to moan about at school.

'eugh algebra is vile, I hate it, blah blah'

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

Well its a mystery then...alibaba

OP posts:
Alibabaandthe80nappies · 14/12/2011 00:18

OP are you being deliberately obtuse? Confused

You think that something should be removed from the curriculum because your siblings and children don't like learning it, or that is what you appear to be saying.

There is more to education that simply learning facts, it is about training and exercising your brain in as many ways as possible.

MeltedAdventCalendarChocolates · 14/12/2011 00:20

YABU because you do it all the time without realising.

Original poster
Feminine · 14/12/2011 00:23

lord above alibaba!

This was supposed to be a relatively light hearted thread ...

You are attempting to take it to a whole new level.

I don't tell my son my feelings ...nor do I say much to my brother ...I came here to wonder ,and ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
Feminine · 14/12/2011 00:25

And ...if I was so sure of my opinion, why would I ask?

I have been given good examples here,and I have thanked those who have shed new light on the subject Wink

OP posts:
Alibabaandthe80nappies · 14/12/2011 00:26

There are no lighthearted threads in AIBU, surely you know that Wink

reelingintheyears · 14/12/2011 00:26

Feminine

AIBU isn't really for the light hearted stuff but i see your point.

Original poster
Feminine · 14/12/2011 00:29

Alibaba I agree with you there...Wink

reeling I will post very stern and serious posts from this day forward -promise! :)

OP posts:
NearlyPastTheYardarm · 14/12/2011 00:30

I'm with catherine. Algebra is a fundamental. Not learning it should not be an option, it blocks off too many avenues, including many that are not advanced science, math or engineering. It is one of those basic 'thinking' skills that everyone uses, whether they are aware of it or not.

To answer the last point in your question, yes we would all be better off if we understood it better. And the other posts above about it being necessary for the rest of A level math are correct - if anyone has got that far and is doing well then they can do algebra.

Spermysextowel · 14/12/2011 00:31

feminine I am grateful for your post. The replies have made me confident that I've prob been doing algebra for years without noticing

Ghoulwithadragontattoo · 14/12/2011 00:32

Of course YABU - how would you child know whether he wanted to be, say, an engineer if he wasn't taught algebra at school? Even if you look at education in the narrow job-training type way this is still vital.

reelingintheyears · 14/12/2011 00:34

WOT,am i doing algebra every day without knowing? Xmas Grin

Original poster
Feminine · 14/12/2011 00:34

Grin spermy glad to be of service!

Off to check DS is doing his

OP posts:
reelingintheyears · 14/12/2011 00:35

sorry.... WOT ? Xmas Grin

makachu · 14/12/2011 00:36

I love algebra! It makes maths so much easier! I always approached it from the view that it makes things simpler rather than more complicated, that's sort of the point of it. Maybe if you understood it yourself, you wouldn't be saying that it's terrible and difficult, you'd be saying it's great!

If you got rid of algebra, the kids would still have to be doing the same thing, but with great big numbers instead of simple letters. I don't think it's the algebra itself they have a problem with, it's what they are having to do utilising algebra that they don't understand. It's needed for any kind of scientific career, for design jobs, for spread sheets. I think you should learn some more algebra yourself OP.