Most Math is useful, what I don't believe will be of any use is Algebra. There may be times you need geometry in life or statistics, but Algebra won't really come of any use... it's just a test. If you can get through it, colleges will want you. That's the deal with Algebra.

Ok bunthead, consider the following:

You buy 4 apples and 2 oranges. The cashier tells you that you owe $4.34. You know oranges cost $.75 cents each.

You have a $5 bill. Do you have enough money to buy a fifth apple?

I must ask, bunthead, are you even in highschool yet? Not only does math, and especially algebra provide a fundamental foundation for virtually every science, (including computer science, which is awesome) algebra is also necessary in...GEOMETRY AND STATISTICS? seriously, how do you expect to pass a geometry course and not know algebra?

Ok, it is true that not everyone needs to know anything beyond simple arithmetic, but to say its not important in general is absolutely absurd.

Well, in fact, I am in 10th grade and currently taking Algebra 2. I understand that Algebra is a must when going into geometry and Trig.

I know I am young, being only in High School, and I would not make a statement like I posted before on my own. I have asked all my High school Teachers, and every adult at school, "Why do we have Algebra in here? Will we ever need it in life?"

Every adult I ask replies, "Well, I all my year, I have never found a use for Algebra... just get through it, and it will make the more advanced classes easier for you."

So that's what I am basing my opinion on. High School Math teachers. It is pretty strange for a teacher to say that one of their classes are pointless, but apperently that's how they feel...

Every adult you know is dumb.

My example perfectly illustrates why you need algebra. And there are plenty others.

Want to go into physics? You need algebra.

Business? Algebra.

Computer science? Algebra.

Teaching? Algebra.

Frankly, other than highly language based things (like being an author), algebra is definitely important.

And the reason algebra makes the advanced classes "easier" is because all of the advanced classes are BASED on algebra.

totally, d-man!

seriously, buntman! Do you like video games? Why don't you go to the game developers forum and ask if algebra is important?

Most Math is useful, what I don't believe will be of any use is Algebra.

Heretic!

Algebra can be important to learn if you want to pass certain other classes, like what DM was talking about. While Algebra has a lot of use, I have never found use for Geometry, pre-cal, calculas, etc.

Geometry, trig (which is what I assume you mean by pre-calc) and calc are pretty important for things like engineering and physics. In terms of higher level math, they're very helpful for linear algebra and the entire mathematical field of analysis.

Well then, I have no clue why my teachers tell me this "heretic" stuff...

DeWayne, your example does throw a point out, but that would be basic Algebra that you learn in... say 6th grade! I am talking about Algebra 2 and all that! I took Algebra 1 in 8th grade, then took honors geo/ trig in 9th grade. I understand that Algebra is a must when moving into geometry! But again, I don't find geometry much help in every day life... unless later on in life you decide to move onto construction or carpentry. But who says I want to be a carpenter? If I decide to, I can learn Geometry in college, no?

Just saying, I am driving through Macdonalds, and the lady tells me how much I owe. I don't just pull out a graphing calculator, paper, and pen and bust a quadratic equation to figure something out in a restaraunt drive through. lol

I guess that was just one case, but I have talked to plenty of adults, and they tell me they have never found a use for Algebra! In fact, every time I ask a relative for help on a Algebra 2 problem, they say "It's been way to long since I have ever had to do an Algebraic problem. I can't remember how, sorry, I can't help."

"Every adult you know is dumb" Well that's a pretty big statement to make....

Pretend it is the first day of this month (April, for those of you keeping track at home). A man comes up to you on the street and gives you a choice.

Your first option is this: For every day in April, he will give you as many pennies as the date. Thus, he'll give you one penny today, two pennies tomorrow, three pennies the day after...up to the 30th of april, when he'll give you 30 pennies. That's it: there's no catch involved.

Your other option is this: If you give him $90.00 (that is, 9000 pennies) right now, he'll invest it. He'll then pay you the date squared many pennies per day. So he'll still only give you one today, then 4 tomorrow, then 9 the day after that, all the way up to 900 pennies on the 30th.

So, assuming this isn't an april fools joke from the random man, which option should you take? What option should you take if he came up to you on the first day of February? What about the first day of December? As you might guess, it's pretty close as to which one makes you more money (close enough that the number of days actually does matter), but algebra would help you figure it out.

While this situation isn't super likely, something like it happens every day: people go to a bank to get a loan, and they get several options for interest and things like that. Have you heard about the "subprime mortgage meltdown" on the news? It's a complicated situation, but, put simply, a LOT of people lost a LOT of money because they didn't know algebra.

i wunder what the poll creator thinks

^If your talking about me, I already know the correct answer to all of my polls that I make. As you may tell by my name, I only create polls that may start a debate. By looking at it now... looks like it was a success :)

Anyway, of course mathematics are important to our lives. Some mathematics will be used later in life, some won't. It depends on what your career plans are.

ah

Are u an imposter? i dont see the 001 at the end.

No. This is my original name. Sometimes the password glitch will prevent me from posting polls when using this name for some reason, so I add "001" at the end when I post polls.

Alright, well, what you say seems to make sense. haha I am young, and I just wanna see all sides on a story. I think I agree with you, but I still can't figure why adults would be telling me this stuff then...

By the way, Algebra is my favorite subject in school. lol When I grow up, I have plans to be a stockbroker, and I know you have to know Algebra for that! But it just seems like most jobs wouldn't require it, unless you were involved in financial investments like the example that you gave.

Most people just assume math is unhelpful...and then they actually think about it.

Alright, I need you to take a long and appraising look at these adults telling you you don't need math in your life.

Are they doing cool and interesting things, shaping the world, making buildings or business plans or cars, complex works of art or safe financial investments, managing hundreds of people or acting as representatves in local, state, or national government?

Or are they doing manual labor, maybe balancing a checkbook, and simply taking a paycheck and spending it on entertainment, food, and shelter?

Math is Power. And if you can't think of a use for it, you can't think of anything that needs to be changed.

It is incontrovertible that mathematics such as Algebra is obligatory for certain future classes. There is a trifle of advanced math classes that are significant, but like I said: just a trifle of them. Nevertheless, no matter what anyone says, the graduate math courses such as Encoding and Encryption, Discrete Mathematical Modeling, Perturbation and Asymptotic Analysis, etc... none of that rigmarole is going to be used later in ANYONE's life. Take that from a person who is 42 years old and achieved an engineering degree.