To me, Algebra is similar to learning to read. If you have an excellent understanding of the basics, you can then move on to any type of problem! At times (in fact I predict often) you will ask "WHY DO I HAVE TO LEARN THIS"? That is the question I would like you to discuss. You can search the internet for ideas (there are LOTS of sites on this question), but make sure you document (URL address) where the information came from if it is not your original idea.
Contributing to this blog is an assignment! Any constructive comments will earn you the credit, it can be your idea or a response to another post. As the author of this blog, I receive the documentation on where the comments came from so please take this seriously. I am looking forward to our discussions this year.
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57 comments:
This is Nicholas Walters
I think that we need to learn this because even thoe we may not think that we need it no or down the road we just mite need it on a game show or to help some one out. Ido have one qustion, what i one job besids a teacher/profeser thats u need algerbra for?
Algebra 1 is not necessarily taught to have students learn precious mathematical skills. Yes, that may be part of it, but there are other important reasons as well. For example, when one is solving an equation in which they need to isolate the variable to find its value, that person is learning skills that can be valued in a profession such as forensic science, where the ability to deduce and problem solve is used quite frequently.
Just because the reason for doing something is not apparent does not mean it doesn't matter. It can be very important, even if it is a bit dubious at first.
Half of us in the future will use a lot of the stuff that we learn in math, well the other half will probably forget about it in ten years. The reason we learn the stuff we do is to prepare all of us to take a job that involves algebra. There are numerous jobs that pay a good amount of money per year that use this form of algebra. It also puts our minds to the test, to see our ability as to what we can do, besides the basics. Math isn’t my favorite class, but I know that I use math in everyday life whether I like to admit it or not. When we have to isolate the variable in equations, I think to myself what is the whole point of this, but then I’m in the store looking to buy something and it says this much off. There I am isolating the variable (in this case cost). So it really isn’t a bad thing to learn all in all. IT IS A LOT EASIER THAN GRAMMAR THAT HAS SO MANY EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES—MATH FOLLOWS THE GIVEN RULES!!!
I agree with Shannon that you will use algebra in some professions but only ones that involve problem solving such as forensic science and engineers. Engineers use the formulas of algebra to figure out load capacities and to test the structures capability. Also by using algebra my dad can figure out things like how much air flow is needed to circulate air through buildings.
Another professions that use algebra and mathematics alot are architects and woodworkers. Architects have to figure out angles to figure out if the house will be stable or not. Also, they have to do alot of measuring. Woodworkers have to measure alot also.
The reason I think we need to learn algebra is because it is one of the many important math classes that we will need to use throughout our life depending on our job. Also because are teacher says we have to but thats not as important. Another reason we need to learn algebra is so that maybe if we are asked a question about it we don't make fools out of ourselves not knowing the answer. Also because I think it is a class that we need to have passed to graduate. Thats why i think we should need to learn algebra.
I think that algebra will help prepare us in the future. It will improve out chances of getting a good job. Employers would rather have someone that has good math skills. They want educated employees to work for them. You apply math in everyday life.
I think that we have to learn algebra because not only will it help us in the future but its what we use in the everyday life. Like when you make a purchase and use a check book you have to use integors and decimals to get the right amount. And if we don't have it, shuts down all the jobs that contain algebra which are a lot!
The comment is above is from natalie wheeler sorry.
I think we need to learn algebra because The abstract-ness of algebra causes the brain to think in totally new patterns. That thinking process causes the brain to work, much like a muscle. The more that muscle works out, the better it performs on OTHER tasks. In simple terms, algebra builds a better brain (as do other disciplines such as learning an instrument, doing puzzles, and, yes, even some video games).
http://www.mathmedia.com/whystudal.html
Sam Bissing
"Why do we have to learn this? What will we use it for?" Good questions, but have you ever thought of learning something for the sake of being able to figure things out with your mind and not a calculator? I know were teenagers and anything involving work we hate, but i bet if we never learned anything we would look back and think we wasted our whole lives. Learn even for the bragging rights of being smart whatever it takes to keep you motivated.
I also believe algebra is an important class to take because the careers we get in our lives will use the math skills we learn to bring in major clients or to sell the most cars or maybe even find the cure for cancer! Taking this class will sharpen our algebra skills make future math classes involving algebra a breeze.
We have to learn algebra because it will help us in the future. It will help us get better in general. We wont always have to use a calculator. Learning algebra might just make our futures better, brighter, and easier.
Okay, so, there's a pretty good chance that a large majority of us will leave high school one day and enter the real world. But what's the probability that all of us will go into math related jobs? For me, I have two main career aspirations. I want to become some sort of surgeon - either neurological or cardiovascular - or else go into writing, because writing is my main talent. If I do decide to become a doctor, I want to make sure I take all the math and science classes I can get. So, what are some of your goals and purposes for taking math? What types of courses are you hoping to take at BP?
Also, I really liked Natalie's answer. It was very practical.
And if you are wondering, Lily Among the Thorns was me. I got it from one of my favorite bible verses, from Song of Songs.
I think that algebra is important to learn because learning it will in the long run teach you how to learn. Okay, that didnt really make sense, but what I am trying to say is whether we ever use the stuff taught in math class or not we will get practice learning. It doesn't seem like something that's hard to do, but for some algebra doesnt come easily. If they learn how to do it, solving tough things could become easier.
You are all doing an excellent job of contributing to our blog. I tried to leave a comment last week, and I received an error message! I think it was too long, so I will post several comments at once.
Nick, I have a website that lists what math is needed for over 300 jobs - ask me about it! Better yet, why don't you do a search and see what you come up with? Brad,what profession does not use problem solving?? As many of you have noted, Algebra is more about the process -- learning to analyze problems rather than simple computation.
I loved (and agree with completely) with Sam's comment on learning for the sake of learning! Megan had a similar comment.
I was also very pleased with Shannon's comments AND the fact that she posed a question of her own. Is anybody going to respond??
It really is a more relevant question than the one I posed.
I think that algebra is a nescessary class to in high school to learn the nescessary requirements to go to college, or even further in a career in accounting or even an architect or engineering. Algebra is useful and fun.
Yay! A few people actually answered my question. Maes (Ryan?), why do you think Algebra is fun? Is it the challenge of it? Or is there a specific unit you enjoy? For me, I really enjoy solving algebraic equations, but I cannot stand graphing them. Ugh. I don't know why that is, either.
I never really answered my own question. At least, not part of it. I would love to be able to take Calculus my senior year, so that means doubling, or tripling, in my case, in math classes. It isn't that math is my favorite subject - though I definitely do not mind it - I just want to make sure I am well rounded academically by the time I graduate so I have a wide array of careers to choose from.
I think someone else needs to post a question now, or this blog will get boring. Also, thanks for the comment, Mrs. K.!
I believe that algebra is one of the founding blocks of more difficult math. without algebra, you can't do many geometric equations. You need algebra to do harder math.
algebra is also very closely related to geometery. you use algebra to determine the location of points on a coordinate plane. it is very important for further education!
Kyle,
How do you use Algebra to plot points? What is the connection between Algebra and Geometry? Can anyone answer these questions?
Um... isn't the connection between algebra and geometry called analytic geometry, where geometry is presented algebraically? i remember reading about that somewhere....
Mrs. kasprzyk I am having a hard time with the algebra assiment today. The problems like -7(x+3) and down are cunfusing.
What about what we're learning now? Functional notation? What would that ever be used for? Why is it relevent for us to learn it? I haven't heard of any jobs out there that might possibly use this....but if there is one, i don't know about it. lol sorry, but WHY we need to learn this is a mystery to me....:)
I think algebra is important to learn because someone might have to use it down the road for a job that they might have and if we don't learn it now, we will never learn it.
In highschool we all are taking different classes. I am taking algebra because I am also in chem9. and without this knowledge, how will I compleet my science homework. Then when I get out in the real world I will need this knowledge to compeet with other people who also want my job.
Why do we need to know this? Because we will use this very much in the future if we are going to college, and most of us, i am sure, will go to college. We need this to be able to work out certain everyday things that could tell our going to be bosses just who and who isn't good for the job. It could also decide if you get the job or not, depending on what it is, but it is just good to be prepared for the extra schooling you take.
I think algebra is important because you never know what life is going to give you and you may need to use math in your future. Also, you could use algebra to figure out a problem like: 70% of $6.00.
Amber DeWitt- I was really tired when I made my account.
i think that many peaple thinkthat we wont have to use this stuf in the future but little do they know that most people do.
I think we need to learn algebra because it will help us throughout are entire lives. We will never stop using math in are lives. During the day we use math all the time. These days, we use it because we have math class everyday. When we're older, we'll still use it. Not necesarilly because we have a math class, but for our jobs, at restaurants; almost everywhere.
I really think we need to make this blog someone enjoyable, so we look forward to participating in discussions. I know my question about reasons for taking math in high school wasn't very interesting, so I think someone else should think of a question. Or, does anyone know and brain teasers? For example... there is a grandfather, two fathers, and a son. How many people are there (choose the smallest number you can come up with).
What is mathematics? If you really think about it, everything in math comes down to problem solving. Whether it's 2+2 or a complex formula, it all takes problem solving. Problem solving isn't just used in math, but in everything you do in life. Picking what you wear in the morning is even problem solving. For all problem solving you have to:
1. Understand the problem
2. Make a plan
3. Execute the plan
4. And check your results
For example take cleaning your room. First you have to know that you have to clean your room. Then you have to make a plan (maybe a list) of which things you're going to do first. Then when you have cleaned your room, you should check to make sure it is completely clean. In math this could be like the order of operations. First you need to know what the problem is. Then you have to first do what's in parentheses, etc. Then check your work for errors.
Some strategies for problem solving include; guess and check, work backwords, build a model, make a simpler problem, logical reasoning, act it out, draw a picture, or make a list. In math, tree diagrams (for example) are making a list. And in the real world you can make a list when you go grocery shopping so that you stay organized.
Basically, what I am trying to get at is that algebra always involves some sort of problem solving. If we can learn how to problem solve in algebra, then we can solve any problem that comes our way. You may have a job someday or future classes where you can use this information, but the main point is what we can take with us into the real world. And the most important life skill we can take away from algebra is problem solving.
Terra Wasielewski.
I agree with everything that was said already. I also think that we need to learn algebra in order to further develop our abilities in everything that you do. Even if you don't think about it, we all use math on a daily bases, even if it is just to see how much we spend on lunch or adding how many problems we have on one homework assignment.
What i am trying to say is that we had to learn the other basic steps of math (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to develop and get us this far and we will also have to learn the basics of algebra to get us further in life.
This is Russ Zolotov.
I think that Algebra probly wont help us right now but when we finish school and start careers and stuff, we'll need some of it then.
Algebra 1 is important because it will help you later on. You need to take algebra 1 in order to get into a higher math class and math is required for you to graduate from highschool. Engineers and scientists need a very good math background. Many high paying jobs require a lot of math. People don't realize that you use some form of math every single day.
I liked your contribution, Juliana!
I believe that algebra will be very important to us in the future. I think that we will all need to use it some time in our lives. There are very few jobs that require NO math at all. Whether we like it our not we will use math in the future and maybe even a little in our lives today. I also agree with Juliana and think that she found some very good ideas.
Algebra 1 is probably taught to help us with every day problems, and teach us to do basic math mentally. I think it also is being taught to help us later on in math because we do use math on a daily basis and we can't just jump into learning all the hard stuff you have to start somewhere! Also algebra can help us in other classes too such as science. So basicly although learning algebra isn't always fun it pays of in the end.
I agree with Megan
and i think algebra is to
help us with problems in
everyday life, inside and outside of school. We use problem solving everyday with numbers and sometimes not. Also do get into good colleges you need some math skills. Not all jobs but most good jobs you will need to work with algebra/math sooner or later. Algebra might be confusing and kindof is in the beginning, but like Megan said, we will need it later.
I believe we need to learn algebra because it is like the base of the rest of the math we'll do in our lifetime. It is important we know how to do this because we will see this stuff in any other math class we take.
you use algebra everyday. shopping, bills, everything. math is an important system that is almost always consistant. 4 is 4. 1222 is 1222.
i think you must learn algebra because you use math in an everyday life from whether you're in school or out. If you dont learn the basics of algebra you wont understand harder math which will be a problem. Algebra is just something you have to learn just like you have to learn how to tye your shoes.
This is Taylor Laskowski...
Algebra is important to research because in daily life you use algebra and you don't even know it. Like for instance when you buy a car, buy groceries, find out how much paint you should use to paint a room. Plus algebra always comes in handie in careers like construction, landscaping, and engineering. You also need it to go to college,so...
...good to know! :)
hi, i'm sorry, i didn't remember my password, so i made up a new blog. oh well.
taylor couldn't post a comment with her computer, so she used mine. hope that's okay with you!
anywho, that about it. i'll leave something else when i come up with it.
:)
We use math everyday...not just in math class but we also use it in science and other things. I agree that we use it with daily things we do to like shopping. So we shouldnt be just doing the homework for the grade we should be trying to learn it and know it so we can use it later in our lifes like for s.a.ts and other tests that we may take to get into college ect.
i think that we have to take algebra to help solve everyday problems in life. Even if we don't know it we use math everyday, weather it is to find out how much lunch is going to cost, or how much money you are going to save on clothing. Taking algebra allows us to further our mathematical skills, and allows us to know how to do more problems, weather mentally or with paper and pencil. In the long run it will help us succeed in life.
sorry for the delayed response mrs. k, but i know that the x and y variables in most algebraic equations stand for the axis. such as x=3y+46. this equation tells us to plug in they variable to get the x variable. this relates the plotting of points to the algebra equation.
you would need to do this many times to get a line but that is how you do it.
I have a feeling though that in ten or fifteen years from all of us are going to forget how to do this kind of math. If anyone is like me, I forget easily. Sorry. I'm not good at remebering things. I agree with Tricia. Hopefully we don't forget.
To be truthfully honest, I don't know what this will be used for in real life. It applies more so to scientists and engineers trying to figure out formulas and getting everything correct.
Good job to Ally and Tricia for being honest in their posts. I must say, I agree with them in ways.
This is Zack W. I agree with Nick. We need algebra for down the road anything for life. Like my mom who works for an insurance company. she uses math(with the use of a calculator) all the time. Algebra is good for figure out the insurance rates.
I finally did it! Mrs Kaspryzyk
Some of the math we have to use in our future as adults because with percents we have to see the percentage off of clothes. I never knew how to do that untill we acully learned it. I dont want to say stuff that we acully dont have to know because i am only in 9th grade and who knows what we will have to know for the future
The math that we're learning in class right now is important because it will help us when we're adults. Like percents. If we are at a store, we should know how to figure out the tax. And if it says 25% off, we should be able to know how to figure out how much we would save.
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