Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laogaiguk]

When math does not add up

I'll see what other people think, but just the fact that this moron who writes for the Washington Post can't do PERCENTAGES (in his own words), I am starting to wonder just how quickly the West is going downhill.

[mindmetoo]

Well, he is writing tongue in cheek. But you certainly need high school algebra to get most social science degrees (psychology, sociology, etc.). You have to pass several statistic courses. Stats is no harder than knowing how to solve for x in x+3 = 6 and BEDMAS. But I saw a lot of people go down in utter flames because they didn't even know their order of operations. Geez.

So yeah, if you have zero plan to go to university, don't bother with algebra.

[VanIslander]

I wanted to take a math class in grade 12 (only Math 11 was required to graduate) and chose Probability & Statistics 12 over Algebra 12. Best course choice I've ever made. Prob & Stats is SO useful!!! throughout university and in everyday life!

[tomato]

Laogaiguk, sorry I couldn't vote in your poll, but I honestly don't know what to say.
Here are a few miscellaneous thoughts which ran through my mind while reading the article.

�� If a student tries six times to pass a course, that student is making a serious attempt and needs help. I wonder how much individual help she got.

�� I often use geometry when making apparati for my kindergarten arts and crafts class. For instance, I had to fold each sheet of paper into 72-degree angles so my students could make snowflakes.

Yes, I know, we're talking about algebra, not geometry.

�� Algebra is useful for solving brain-teasers.

Yes, I know, we're talking about life in the work arena, not parlor games.

�� Different people have different strengths and weaknesses. I have been scorned many times for inherent weaknesses which most other people don't have, and that has caused me considerable grief. So I would not be quick to scorn a person for a weakness which I don't have.