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Why do I need to learn so much math? Can someone tell me when I would need to know rational equations?
It's so you don't need to pay attention in class, and you don't need to remember as much. Math is to teach you the ability to systematically work your way through problems.FAQ said:Why do I need to learn so much math?
mattmns said:You only need math if you are going to college. If you are not going to college then I would not bother learning it, because for most people it is useless (yes I do plan on being a math teacher and yes I will tell my students how I feel).
Tom Mattson said:Wrong Wrong Wrong.
My brother snoozed through high school math (actually, he snoozed through all of high school). Rather than going to college, he became a machinist. Before too long he found out that he needed to know geometry and trigonometry just to do his job. And did I mention programming the CAD/CAM machines? You need a mathematical background for that, too.
Fortunately, his employer was willing to pay for him to learn all that stuff, so they sent him to take the relevant courses. It was a lucky break that he got a second chance to make up for that missed opportunity.
mattmns said:Yes there are exceptions. I was making a generalization, which I probably should have not made. I did, however, say that, "If you are not going to college then I would not bother learning it, because for most people it is useless"
Tom Mattson said:But it's that attitude that makes the skilled trades inaccessible to "most people".
mattmns said:You could go to a college to get the adequate training, but that of course will probably cost money and time.
I guess I never thought of that position because here college is free, for everyone(with a few requirements), as long as you keep up a decent gpa.
But that is a very good point, and if you have any other reasons to learn math in high school, then I would certainly like to hear them.
mattmns said:Yes there are exceptions. I was making a generalization, which I probably should have not made. I did, however, say that, "If you are not going to college then I would not bother learning it, because for most people it is useless"
Tom Mattson said:The point is that the "adequate training" is available in high school. There should have been no need for my brother to go to college to get it! That is why saying that "you only need math if you are going to college" is horrendously bad advice.
The fact that college is free in your country doesn't have too much relevance here. You still have to take the time out to learn things that should have been learned before being graduated from high school. Also, there are years of lost wages to be considered. Employers typically don't pay to educate employees until they have some time in, and they typically pay undertrained employees less than trained ones.
The reason why every single high school student should learn math is that it leaves doors open, rather than closed. That should be enough to convince anybody.
Math is important in everyday life because it helps us make sense of the world around us. It is used in various activities such as budgeting, cooking, shopping, and even driving. Without math, we would not be able to understand patterns, make calculations, or solve problems efficiently.
Rational equations involve fractions and are used to solve equations that have variables in the denominators. Learning about rational equations is important because they are used in various fields, such as engineering, economics, and physics. They also help us understand how to solve real-life problems involving proportions and rates.
To solve a rational equation, you need to follow these steps:
Understanding rational equations can help you in the real world by allowing you to solve problems involving proportions and rates. For example, you can use them to calculate discounts when shopping, determine the best deal when comparing prices, or calculate interest rates on loans or investments.
While it is helpful to have a basic understanding of common formulas for solving rational equations, it is more important to understand the concepts and steps involved in solving them. This will allow you to apply your knowledge to different scenarios and problems, rather than just relying on rote memorization.