Also, algebra is nothing more than Arithmatic where the blank as been shifted to the other side of the equal sign and where it was the new number is revealed, and the constant in the place where the blank was moved to is now covered.

1) What is the slope of a line tangent to a curve.

2) What is the area of the space under the curve on a graph.

#1 resulted in derivitives which are the simplifications of the limits used to solve for the slope, and #2 resulted in anti-derivitives, or differential equations as the more common name.

Interestingly enough, both aspects work in opposite directions, just like adding and subtracting, or multiplying and dividing.

Whereas graphs like this make me weep for my generation, it’s nice to know that the majority of the reviews for this graph think that it’s highly inaccurate

I wish more people would realize how important math really is…

It’s true, I don’t see anything that advanced math is used for now. I don’t work at fast food either…that’s what Excel and scientific calculators are for.

Is dividing something by 10 algebra? No. But figuring out the process by which you can arrive at 15% of something… THAT is algebra.

x = c / 10
y = x / 2
z = x + y

Where c is the cost of your dinner.

That’s an algebraic formula, and all it is, is a shorthand way of saying *exactly* what you said in your post: Divide by ten. Divide that by 2. Sum the quotients.

Our schools teach math horribly, they try to divorce the concept of numbers from reality from kindergarten on (This basically starts when they try to break you of counting on your fingers), so a lot of people don’t understand what algebra is. It’s not something esoteric or difficult. It’s just the process of applying arithmetic to the real world.

Nothing less, nothing more.

The real reason I didn’t think it was funny is because it’s derivative. I laughed the first time I saw more or less the same graph in a different form, two months ago.

When you take driving lessons, the in-class instructors gives you all sorts of directions like “come to a full and complete stop at a stop sign” “make sure the traffic is clear before proceeding” or “put your direction lights on at a certain distance before you turn” etc.

But when somebody gives you directions from point A to point B (along the shortest distance, we hope), they just say “make a left here, drive for so long, make another left, drive to the next intersection make a right, and another right” or something like that.

Unconsciously, you’re using stuff that you learned in your driving class, but the person giving you directions never actually says “drive for so long, put your direction light on to indicate that your are making a left hand turn, make a full and complete stop at the stoplight, check to see that no cars are coming from the opposite direction, then turn left.” You’d probably want to punch him if he did. And if you ignore what your instructor said, you could end up in a ditch.

(I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that) I think math is like what they teach you in driving class, while every other discipline that uses math is like actual driving. You can use math, advanced or otherwise, even if you’re not doing it explicitly, but you could have difficulty in your own subject if ignore the math.

And just like the existence of driving instructors depends on a need to drive safely, the existence of math depends on a need to solve problems with it.

blah blah blah…

I’m not trying to say “my dad is better than your dad”, only that “my dad is better than you make him out to be”.

But somebody who’s gotten to the point where they can teach at any level should at least have heard of calculus, even if they don’t know what it is.

As for what kinds of math you consciously use, that depends on a lot of circumstances, but mostly you just need to read the comments above to see the many practical, everyday uses. Even today, I was figuring out how to attack a tank in Call of Duty, and I decided, “well, the most direct route between two points is a straight line…”