how much of the algebra that im learning in school i will actually use in life?

It all depends on what you plan on doing with your life.

However, to be honest, the greatest value in Math and Science is that they teach you how to think analytically and develop good problem solving skills. While there have been exceptions, most of the people that I know who complain the most and loudest about math and science don't have the problem solving abilities to figure out how to fart without doing laundry. They usually are the lazy type who either [a] assume the first thing that pops into their head that sounds good to them is The Right Answer, damn everybody else, or [b] they expect someone else to do the work for them, and get furious when they actually have to do something themselves.

Like I said, there are exceptions. I have a good friend who failed Remedial Algebra in college, but is a very intelligent woman. Then again, I knew another woman with a masters degree who said, and fully believed, that math is sexist because it doesn't just let whatever "the woman" says "be right".

Mike

If you don't learn how to think for yourself, other people will do your thinking for you.

Yes all the time. Like mike said it depend what you do in life. Otherwords, on What job you get in life. Examples: Maybe you want to be a FBI profiler that uses math to add up what might be the next targe a construction worker or scientist, teacher, or a weatherperson. They all use algebra.

Don't let these guys con you celeryslam. You will never use the algebra you are studying. What you will use is what everyone else uses...a calculator.

That being said...it is well worth taking algebra. Your brain will develop in ways that it otherwise wouldn't. Consider those who take the Easy Math. Yeah, you have to study your arse off but in the end you will be 'smarter' not just with book learning but with problem solving and that my friend you will use everyday of the rest of your life.

The key to algebra is to memorize all the theorems...don't get behind...stay ahead of the game and you'll do just fine!

Right now I'm taking Linear Algebra, and it's a good way to know how to solve problems. IMO, that's the only reason it is taught in Civil Engineering, which is what I'm studying. Now, that it is frustrating and boring, it is, I won't deny that , but it's also really really useful

I must take a somewhat different stance to the people here. While algebra will help you if you use it in your chosen career path, I find maths to be the wrong teacher for problem solving. Mathematics teaches that there is only one correct answer which must be reached by following the "right" steps.

In life, you'll often find multiple ways of solving problems and (most of the time) the best answer is one where you have to think outside of the box and follow no logical pattern.

I guess that's why I was always bored with maths. I was always good at it, indeed ranked in the top 100 in the state for my HSC year. But all maths does is lock you into the belief that there can not be more than one way.

Regards, PA

Yeah, that happens too. That's why we also have computer programming, which was way more frustrating than calculus (which reminds me, I should be working on a Maple homework now ), but the moment everything begins to work, it's a really satisfying thing

P.S: Post 2000! YAY!

I actually use it quite often as far as figuring "word problems". If I have something that's a bit more complicated than simple math, I'll make an equation and figure it out that way. With the help of a calulator, of course. But then, I'm a bit of a geek.

i don't know how much you'll need, but i still suggest that you learn it. i went to two schools in the 8th grade. the first school was going to learn algebra at the end of the year, and the second school i went to learnt it at the end of the year. i now know hardly any algebra and i'm basically in remedial maths because it's made doing what everyone else does, quite difficult. so suggest that you learn it, regardless of whether or not you'll use it

gawd did I hate algebra *snarls*

The algebra I supposedly learned in school hasn't even helped me in assisting with my own son's algebra homework......I hated it....

Didn't we all but do you feel it has helped you in your career after school? Sure has hell never helped me, in fact I forgot about it once I left class.

even in my field it hasn't helped me...

Well regardless if you have to use it later in life or not just think how much smarter you'll be

im already behind i dont get it at all. my freshman year i had d's in alegbra both semsters and after my frosh year but alegbra teachers were fired and im like great they had no clue what they were doing. i got a b- in geometery last year and now im back to alegbra 2 and i have no clue what im doing because i never learned half the stuff in alegbra.

I guess I'm just a dork, then.

Awnsering the origional question, how old are you? Algerabra is extremly easy even though it's considered the advanced class. It's basically an hour and a half of easy breezy, the obnly problem is is all of the homework involved. No matter if you use it or not you'll be somewhat smarter.

wow, If you did so well in algebra, I wonder what you scored in spelling

Algebra, though it was incredibly boring, was pretty easy to me. I can only really do it if I sit there with the problem in front of me, though. Despite it being easy, I think I have forgotten a lot of it, probably with the thought that I'll never, ever need it. (Unless I become a rocket scientist, of course. ). Anyway, just go through it, I know it feels pointless, but there's some point buried in there somewhere.

Edit: Pandy, speaking of spelling, wanna know something ironic? I did horrible in English.

We don't even do spelling in Jr. High. But when we did do it they gave us twenty words a week and we had to memorise them. I'm not really all that bad at spelling, sometimes I just get in a rush.
Oh, and I didn't know he was taking high school algebra. I'm taking 8th grade which really isn't THAT different. Would you mind PMing me some problems you do just so I can look?

me too, I can barely speak it

My school never would teach me algebra but now I learning it through my niece. It seems pretty neat. She said it sort of like drawing. 4 corner on a square means the square is a 4, circle means nothing, so forth. Other times the basic start with something like this: When a question is a number 10 with a small 2 top right and you know it really saying saying 10X10. of course you know the answer is going to be 100. Other times its a letter that reprase as a number like a is 1 and b is 2. I advise to count downt the numbers when it goes to g or h then add, subtract, or time or divide whatever the number it is asking you do.But it always more to it.When she show me this, I thought great another puzzle. And I love puzzles. Btw, the reason my school would not teach the eight grade algrebra stuff b/c of my disablity of my hearing & my math dislexia. Now if they have started to find ways to go around stuff like my niece does in understanding stuff back then. I probably would been good in math. They kept teaching me same old basic stuff. That special Ed for you. But alot people would do that do any disability that a person have. Seen or unseen.And they don't read history on smart people with disabilities. But I hope you get really good at your math.

I agree with most people here. In most cases, it's useless in later life. However it's great for "mind training"(?), and possibly problem solving skills(although it does have disadvantages>see PA).