Whether or not you’ve ever discussed ‘Why is math important, anyway?’ at the dinner table, here are some facts to consider. Let’s look at algebra!
- Algebra builds logic skills Regardless of your future career, understanding the sequence of events is important. Algebra is necessary to help you understand what is most important in a sequence of events.
- Algebra builds problem-solving and reasoning skills Understanding how to move factors from one side of the equation to the other helps you understand the balance of nature and how it is all interrelated.
- Algebra builds relationships between mathematical concepts and equations and graphs Algebra helps students understand the relationships between constant and variable parameters. How would temperature changes affect the rate at which water will melt in the mountains? Or what is the amount of time and energy that we would need to charge our future electric cars to reach 300 miles?
- Algebra builds the foundation for upper level subjects like chemistry, physics, statistics or calculus. There is no way to understand oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions, averages or velocities without an understanding of algebraic equations. It is the language of matter and energy.
- Colleges want students who understand algebra. Thus, algebra is fundamental to score well on college entrance exams. About 30% of the ACT Math and about 50% of the SAT Math is focused on Algebra.
- Algebra will help you get better jobs – whether you are interested in programing, sales, marketing, management or science – you will need to have solid foundations in algebra to be able to perform on those jobs.
After being used by our humans for more than 4000 years, algebra is not going away. In fact, its usage is growing, and it is becoming more important in our daily lives, not to mention it is required for any high school diploma.