I'm Never Going to Use This Math!

With school about to start up again, you may as well get ready for the dreaded question when math comes up: “Why do I have to learn this?  I’m never going to use it.”  This line of argument generally starts around the algebra level, but I’m sure many have heard it earlier as well.

It is true that a strong math education can lead to very successful math-related careers.  According to Forbes’ “The 15 Most Valuable College Majors,” the most valuable fields require a great deal of math:  Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, Management Information Systems, Petroleum Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Construction Management, Finance, Physics, and Statistics.

Of course younger students probably don’t know what they will eventually want to pursue, so the answer to the dreaded question can be something along the lines of, “you should learn it to keep your options open as you start deciding what you want to do with your life.”  But the question doesn’t come up as much because with the math we learn in elementary and middle school the uses of it are fairly obvious.  We need to be able to make change.  It’s nice to know how much this or that discount will really get you.  We should be able to measure a board to cut or the flour in a recipe.  So I think we have it fairly well covered for our younger students.

But if your older student shows no interest in one of the many math-related fields, why does he or she need to learn it?  The vast majority of students should take Algebra 1 and Geometry, if for no other reason than to further develop of their brains.  Algebra (which means “the reunion of broken parts”) is all about puzzles, patterns, and logical thinking.  Geometry (which means “measurement of the earth”) is all about spatial reasoning and deep logical processes.

That’s not all, however.  The basics learned in algebra and geometry will be used for a lifetime.  Not daily perhaps, but they are used in business, construction, manufacturing, landscaping, product design, investing and personal finances, machining, drafting, interior decorating, fine art, and the list goes on.  The fact is that the further up the ladder one goes in most careers, the more likely a general grasp of these concepts will be beneficial.

Every student is not cut out for Algebra II, trigonometry, and calculus.  Further, I think they would be right to question it because the vast majority of people will never actually use anything they might learn in those classes.  But I do think the vast majority, if correctly and patiently taught, can, in fact, learn Algebra I and geometry.

In any event, if you get that question from your student, you can go the simple route, “because you’ll need them for the SAT to get into a decent college no matter what you want to study,” or you could use that question as a great opportunity to have a conversation about brain- and thought-development, goals and aspirations, and life in general.  What a wonderful way to take a simple, common question and turn it into a true teachable moment!

Call or visit Mathnasium of Washington Township and let us show you how We Make Math Make Sense.