Debunking Myths: The Relevance of Algebra Today

Every now and again I have hope for our country but then I go on social media where I read things that literally suck the life out of me. In a nation where are participants in a global information economy and have so much knowledge at our disposal how can we have so many citizens who actively work to devalue that same knowledge? It’s simply astounding to me. Today I want to discuss one of the dumbest social media arguments I have seen in the past 10 years about the need to teach algebra in schools. Social media posts on this topic usually look something like this.

“Well, another day has passed and I did not use algebra”

The implication is that algebra is useless and unnecessary in everyday life. The supporters of this movement argue that our schools have failed our children by focusing on esoteric subjects, like algebra, when they should focus on practical life skills. I am unsure on which specific practical skills they would rather focus. However, it is not about only about adding practical skills to the curriculum though because many of these people also want schools to stop teaching humanities, art and music. Why someone would not want their child learning algebra eludes me.

Although I concede that trigonometry, calculus and some higher math skills are probably unnecessary for many, basic algebra and geometry are as about as practical as you can get in terms of useful knowledge. Algebra is used quite often in daily life whether you realize it or not and here are a few use cases but I could literally list hundreds:

1. How many bags of much or fertilizer should I buy for my garden or lawn?
2. How long will it take me to drive from my home to Ft. Lauderdale, FL for vactaion?
3. How much will the fuel cost me to make the trip above?
4. How many square feet of carpet do I need for this room?
5. What is my net effective tax rate if I made $50,000 and paid $2,153 in taxes this year?
6. How much will I pay in interest on my new car if the car is $30,000 and my interest rate is 6.9% for 4 years? Would it be better to take the 5 year loan for 4.9%? How does my payment change if I put down 10%
7. What should a TV cost me if it costs $329 and there is a 25% discount?

These are basic, practical questions that almost everyone faces in everyday life. Yes, we have apps and tools to help us with these things now so we can easily get the answers to many of these questions but, without some level of basic knowledge, one would have no idea how the answer was derived or if it is even correct. Using the above list, imagine the cashier rings up the TV and it registers at $279. Is it correct?

I agree with the basic premise that we should teach more practical life skills in schools but why must it be a zero sum game? Why do we assume that teaching algebra in some way blocks us from teaching other things. Why can’t we teach algebra AND other practical skills such as financial management, basic home maintenance, etc.

Most education up until just a few hundred years ago was class differentiated. Apprenticeship programs and on the job training was the norm for most people and only the elite were able to spend time delving into language, history, philosophy, art and music. These people were educated for leadership. Military officers studied military history, politics and diplomacy. Wealthy families sent their children to get advanced financial education ensuring wealth and privilege remained with them. Regular people apprenticed as farmers, machine workmen, blacksmiths, etc. The reality was it a lack of education reduced class movement resulting major class differences, and so, our education system evolved, over time, to bring educational opportunity to everyone to drive the creation of a strong middle class. From that movement, all children now are educated to develop critical thinking skills that will enable them to go further, achieve more and contribute more to their community if they so choose. Learning math, language, arts, music, history and humanities is critical to achieve this and is the basis for equality and opportunity to thrive in our country. We can certainly add welding to the curriculum if we believe there is value but the mindset that we should stop teaching algebra to teach welding is, in a word, ridiculous. In 50 years the social media posts will read:

“Well, another day passed and I did not weld anything”