How many of you use algebra in your current job?

[Deja Q]

??

[appamado amata padam]

1. Forgot category:

"Don't have job." :-(

[Deja Q]

7. Well, I had an ulterior motive for posting, but having a job wasn't the one...

I am sorry you're unemployed. I hope things get better for you soon. :hug:

[appamado amata padam]

22. Thank you,

for your wishes, and the "hug."

Haha, wasn't really trolling for sympathy, just wanted to inject a growing reality of the workforce.

And sorry for the dupe; I am still on my "training wheels." :-)

[TxRider]

101. So what was the ulterior motive?

[appamado amata padam]

2. Forgot category:

"Don't have job." :-(

[Trekologer]

3. As algebra is the basis for all higher math and computer science...

Yes. Yes I do.

[dalaigh lllama]

4. Let me guess -- you're arguing with your teen about their math homework

[Deja Q]

8. Good guess, but no...

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Anyone who says no probably doesn't understand what Algebra is

[Deja Q]

9. I bet all the 'no' people are computer programmers...

:spray:

[darkstar3]

66. Um...what?

How do you figure?

I'm sure there's a joke here, but I'm not getting it.

[TexasObserver]

10. Indeed. How many times a day does one have to find X?

What's my car's miles per gallon?

How much should my tip be?

How much should I charge for this work?

How much should I pay for this work?


Can't figure those without algebra.

[Deja Q]

11. Techically, none...

Most people just use a calculator... :D

[TexasObserver]

18. Most people use their head.

Slower people use a calculator.

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. You still need to use Algebra to know what numbers to put in the calculator

Duh.

[LiberalFighter]

35. They still need to know how to put the figures together

[SheilaT]

26. Those re all simple math questions.

Miles per gallon is simple division. Tip is percentage. Charging and paying for work might possibly involve addition or subtraction, but definitely not algebra.

[TexasObserver]

28. Oh, sure it's Algebra.

You're just not very imaginative.

I'm not going to write the formula for you, as you should already know it.

Save the School Marm routine, too.

[proud2BlibKansan]

29. Figuring MPG is an algebraic concept

I believe it is listed in our state curriculum as an Algebra activity.

The equation is Algebra. Solving it is simple division.

[TexasObserver]

31. "The equation is Algebra. Solving it is simple division."

The responses demonstrate your point. Many simply do not understand what algebra is. The formulas exist and are used in life in so many ways every day.

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. I teach Math so I am at an unfair advantage I guess

Anytime there is an equation you are using Algebra. The old balance beam analogy is basic Algebra.

Amazing how few DUers know this.

[TexasObserver]

34. Good luck teaching the next generation.

We're creating a large class that really doesn't understand basic math and algebra. Without calculators, they have no idea how to do simple problems.

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. I will be retiring soon

So you can blame me for what the current young adults don't know. :)

[NoSheep]

71. But we are able to get by nonetheless. Isn't that amazing?

[TexasObserver]

74. Sounds like a personal problem.

Take it to the Chaplain.

[NoSheep]

83. huh/ You must have NO sense of humor. You practically snark at yourself!

I thought you would get my joke. Never mind.

[SheilaT]

145. Well, gosh. I still can't figure out

how a simple division problem is suddenly algebra. There's no unknown to solve for.

[quiller4]

138. that "simple" math equation is algebra. Solving for one

vaiable still requires an algebraic equation.

[BlooInBloo]

40. Everytime you subtract.

[harkadog]

52. You find all four of those with basic elementary school arithmetic.

No algebra needed.

[TexasObserver]

59. The formula used is Algebra.

Just because you're ignorant of something doesn't make it untrue.

[Name removed]

95. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[harkadog]

136. A grade schooler who has never had algebra could calculate all of these

[TexasObserver]

149. If that's what you need to pretend, go for it.

You're taking a stand against those who understand algebra because you never got past a + b = c.

[AnneD]

73. I use it to...

calculate drug doses...Screw up and and it's....THEY'RE DEAD JIM

Also used in IV titrations....very very important.

[TexasObserver]

75. Yes, but some like to pretend that's not using algebra.

[AnneD]

76. Sorry but I can't pretend doses....

that tends to get your license yanked.

[timtom]

93. If you use Excel, you use simple algebraic equations

to generate a formula.

Now, the bigger question is: How many use quadratic equations at work?

[CTyankee]

104. So you are saying that if I find 10% of my dinner tab and double it in order to

figure out my dinner tip, I am basically using algebra?

I never thought of it that way...

[TexasObserver]

118. Sure.

What is X? X is the tip, which you intend to be 20% of the tab.


The tab multiplied by .2 (20%) = X

Which is equal to the tab multiplied by .1 (10%) times two = X (using your approach)

Any time X is an unknown derived from applying a formula to calculate a missing number, algebra is being used to find X. Algebra gives us the formulas by which simple math helps us find the unknown number. In your example, the unknown number is the appropriate tip. By mentally calculating 20%, you are calculating the unknown.

Learning math is the step we learn in grade school. Learning how to use math to discover the identity of unknowns is what we do in algebra and more advanced math.

[CTyankee]

126. That's simple but my waterloo was negative numbers. Subtraction was a horror for me.

Elsewhere in this thread I describe how I used a weather thermometer to literally count the hash marks on the thermometer to figure out the subtraction problems...I think I just couldn't get the concept of negative numbers in my head!

[Kaleva]

15. I'm still working on what time Jim's train will arrive here.

[crazylikafox]

19. +1

[TexasObserver]

20. That's easy! Thirty minutes to two hours after it's scheduled to arrive.

[LiberalFighter]

37. Don't you mean when it leaves?

[girl gone mad]

54. Funny..

I was thinking that a lot of people who responded "yes" actually aren't using any algebra at work, they only think that they are.

[proud2BlibKansan]

64. Again. Any equation is Algebra.

I can't think of anyone who doesn't use Algebra every day.

[SheilaT]

158. One plus one equals two is an equation.

Does that make it algebra?

[nadinbrzezinski]

80. Oh trust me, I don't

My higher math needs currently are addition, subtraction, probably multiplication and rarely division.

Now if you ask about Strunk and White... or the rules of grammar...

I am a writer, my tools are words.

Now when I was a medic... I used it all the time...

I also used things like oh Pulleys (I hated that lab in seventh grade)... and even chemistry...

But these days I can safely say, no, I don't.

[timtom]

94. Strunk and White?

Bah!

Give me Fowler's "Modern English Usage" anytime.

[nadinbrzezinski]

128. There is that. but strunk

fits on the Ipod...

or is that IN the Ipod?

Just kidding, I am sure the trusty Grammar police will show up soon.

[truedelphi]

84. I agree. Algebra exists in many places.

Realtors figuring out the difference in the cost of a mortgage of a six hundred thou home rather than a 400 thou home - doing it in their head on t the way to the appointment.

Given that they know the cost of the mortgage for one of the two homes...

And also given that they are old enough to know how to do math in their head - not just using calculators!

[Maine-ah]

92. meh, I got straight A's in algebra, and I said no.

[a la izquierda]

155. I don't know how algebra fits into my job...

I'm a PhD student in history. I teach Latin American history.

I guess I can use algebra: x+y= the times the American government stomped through Latin America attempting to stopped communism?
I don't even think that's right.

God I hate math.

[Deja Q]

6. Nice to know why this got unrecommended, I had no idea it was such a threat...

:eyes:

[cbdo2007]

12. I didn't unrec but I'm guessing just the word "algebra" brings back many bad memories

for people, including me.

I flunked Algebra twice in high school before passing and never took another math class in high school. Only took the most basic math class in college. HATED MATH.

Now though, I understand it a lot more and probably use Algebra daily. Still...all those late nights with my homework....

[loudsue]

78. Same story here. Algebra is really important in my work, but

my flimsy high school basis still makes it a struggle. I wish there were better Algebra teachers at my high school. In fact, I wish there were better geometry teachers there, too. When I actually take time to LEARN how to figure out a math problem, I love it! It's just such a struggle.

[Kaleva]

14. Using algerbra, I came up with an equation to solve your question.

[Liberal_in_LA]

24. I gave you a rec but you are still in the negative.

:shrug: :hi:

[dolphindance]

67. Unrecced because I dislike "Q" and TNG was the worst of the treks (n/t)

[TexasObserver]

119. Recommended to cancel yours out, because TNG was the BEST of the Treks

And Q was the best recurring periodic character on the Best Star Trek series.

[hfojvt]

131. sheesh you know even less about science fiction than you do about math

or manners. I didn't think that was possible.

[TexasObserver]

132. My condolences.

Sorry you have to live in Kansas.

I'd be pissed, too.

[hfojvt]

135. see what I mean about manners?

Plus you attempt to throw stones when your house is solid glass.

Hint: George W. Bush was never Governor of Kansas.








Sorry about that. That was a low blow, I know.

[TexasObserver]

150. I see that your manners are badly lacking.

As well as your being ignorant about simple math and algebra.

Hang in there. You CAN pass grade school math.

[TexasObserver]

157. addendum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6594922&mesg_id=6605475

[BlooInBloo]

13. I routinely tell computers how to do math. (Contrary to non-math people's belief, they suck at it.)

[Jennicut]

16. No, I am going to be teaching preschoolers...the only math they get is 1+1=2

And that makes me damn happy. Letters, writing your name, shapes, colors, and very, very basic math.
I start my student teaching next semester. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. You might need to make sure your paycheck is correct

or figure the mpg on your car.

For that matter, preschoolers are being tested in more and more states. They can't be left behind! You will need to understand Algebra to interpret testing data.

Everyone uses Algebra every day. Even preschool teachers.

[dysfunctional press]

86. everyone may use it every day- but that doesn't mean that they use it as part of their job.

nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

89. And I can't think of a job where you wouldn't use Algebra

:shrug:

[dysfunctional press]

103. i didn't use it one bit when i shoveled concrete for a living.

writers don't use it much either.

and i don't remember using it when i was a grill cook at a snack shop.

[Statistical]

110. You didn't do any problems like...

1 bag of cement requires 4 gallons of water and covers 20 sq feet. I need 500 square feet so how much water do I need?
Algebra is the ability to reorganize, and combine formulas to solve for x.... in this case water.

Most construction workers doing anything other than pure manual labor likely use some form of algebra on the job.

Even pure labor guys likely do something like. Boss said we need to get the drywall on this floor down today. It took us 3 hours to do these 2 wall (estimate at 30% of the room) and we have a 9 hour workday so.... <some algebra later> yup looks like we are on track to finish, lets take a 5 minutes smoke break.

Most algebra is done in your head however the fundamentals in Algebrea class develop the ability to do it in your head.

[dysfunctional press]

123. the concrete comes in a truck- we didn't mix it.

"Most construction workers doing anything other than pure manual labor..."

like i said- when i shoveled concrete, i didn't use it one bit.

and i had a 36 on the math portion of my ACT, so i have a pretty good idea when i'm using algebra or not.

[proud2BlibKansan]

111. So you never checked your paycheck to make sure it was correct

I have never had a job where I did not check my pay.

[dysfunctional press]

122. that wasn't 'part of my job'.

they didn't pay me to look at my check.

[hfojvt]

133. you really think I use it in my janitor job?

that the fact that I majored in math somehow makes me a better janitor?

[Jennicut]

96. My kids are in preschool and kindergarten. They aren't tested yet but have

to know their numbers and basic math skills.
Testing should be made a smaller component on how to interpret their skill levels. Biggest issue with early childhood education right now. We have endless debates in class. I don't mind that they start teaching skills earlier...I learned letters in kindergarten while my girls learn them their second year of preschool. But the endless testing is bs. Kids can have anxiety and can have skills that don't come through on a test. And No Child Left Behind is hated among all of us.
I was horrible at math testing but had a wonderful teacher in 12th grade that had me write out all the math problems word for word. I got an A in that class. I also had to take statistics in college (have a psych degree on top of the preschool certificate I will be getting). Stats was easier for me for some reason.

[timtom]

107. I'd just be happy knowing

if 3 wrongs don't make a right, is there a number, n, such that n wrongs do make a right?

[Canuckistanian]

17. Programmers regularly use algebra

Especially in programming for Engineering.

Programming in general requires an algebra-like approach to solving problems.

[exboyfil]

21. I am an engineer and it is part of everything that I do

My oldest is in Algebra right now. She seems to really like it - which is good.

Actually I also use a fair amount of Calculus, Trig, and Statistics as well.

[SheilaT]

23. When I was 43 years old or so, and takin g college algebra,

I did one day speak up in class and told the teacher that I knew for a fact that I would never use algebra in my life as a mom.

Oh, I did go on to take a statistics class and the first semester of business calculus, just because I was enjoying the classes so much.

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. So you never had to read a recipe?

Or figure equivalencies?

Balance your checkbook?

Anytime you use an equation to solve a problem you are using Algebra. That's the basic bottom line algebraic concept - the equation.

[SheilaT]

146. I read recipes.

Even halving or doubling a recipe is simple math, division or multiplication.

When I bother to balance my checkbook, it's just subtraction and addition. There are no equations involved.

Someone upstream seems to think that just because the answer to a simple division problem starts out unknown, it's somehow algebra.

I'm more than puzzled that so many here seem to think that algebra and basic elementary school math are the same thing.

Oh, and I returned to math classes after a full thirty years out of high school and tested straight into Algebra Two. First year algebra isn't hard, and I'm constantly amazed at the people who managed to flunk it in high school.

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. Wow. I am amazed by the results of this poll

And all these years I thought DUers were intelligent.

[BlooInBloo]

39. Why?

(to the second question, I mean.)

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. What second question?

[BlooInBloo]

46. Er - second statement.

[proud2BlibKansan]

48. My second statement?

Or in the OP?

[LiberalFighter]

38. Should had had "What is algebra?"

[abumbyanyothername]

42. Doesn't everyone?

Johnny makes $x/hour. He worked y hours this week. What is his gross pay?

The Social Security Administration take 7.5% of his gross pay for payroll tax. His state and federal withholding is 15% of his gross pay. What is Johnny's net pay?

etc.

[Lisa0825]

55. EXACTLY! I work in HR, but I use basic algebra for things like this. nt

[hfojvt]

130. in most jobs somebody else figures those things for you

therefore no, everyone doesn't.

[TexasObserver]

151. Good workers often show initiative.

If you wish to progress beyond an entry level job, you might pay attention to how others have succeeded in life by being amenable to learning simple math and algebra, and by using it daily in their work.

Those who hate math are usually not very good at it. As a language unto itself, math confuses many people. Those who hate math usually got lost in grade school and never really learned how to perform very simple math functions. Have you considered taking adult education classes to learn how to feel more comfortable doing simple math?

[hfojvt]

153. good debaters often use logic

instead of jumping to false conclusions. It so happens that I have a Bad Attitude from the University of Minnesota. My major - mathematics. Absolutely useless in my employment history even when my job title was mathematician. But sometimes used as a hobby.

edit: for example

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6603250&mesg_id=6603664

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/53

[TexasObserver]

156. I like your work.

You did a nice job on your post in the thread about the mortgage deduction.

I acknowledge you have good evidence of expertise in math.


Now, let's address the other stuff. I get it. I understand why you're unhappy. It's tough to get a degree in a discipline, then find no jobs available. And it's tough to take any job you can get so you can get by. I wish you good luck in your pursuits.



FYI: Two years ago, I read your commentary Debunking the Laffer Curve and thought it was excellent.

[SheilaT]

147. Those are still simple

problems, stuff you'd do in about sixth grade. Or at least when I was in sixth grade we did problems like that.

First you multiply the hours times rate of pay. Then you multiply that total by .075 and by .15 and subtract those two amounts from the first total. Where's the equation?

[Telly Savalas]

148. The equation is as follows

Total Pay = (Hourly wage) * (Hours worked)

and you're "solving" for total pay.

The bulk of the bickering in this thread is bullshit semantics. Most folks don't considering solving for an unknown quantity algebra if that unknown quantity is the only thing on its side of the equation in a formula. As you point out kids are taught to do this in grade school long before taking any courses called "algebra". It's only when one starts manipulating the formulas that one uses tools taught in an algebra class, so it really shouldn't come as a surprise to the pedants in this thread that most people define algebra as such.

[SheilaT]

159. That's STILL just simple multiplication

Every single math problem does start with the answer being unknown, but that still doesn't make Hours worked times hourly wage an algebra problem. It's just multiplication. Of course the answer is unknown until you work the problem. There's no real formula involved. Unless you think all word problems become formulas and therefore are algebra. Actual formulas, like the quadratic equation, is something else entirely.

I had the amazing good fortune to have as my high school math program something called UICSM (University of Illinois Committee on School Mathematics). I started the second year of its existence. It was wonderful. We proved EVERYTHING. We derived the quadratic equation more or less on our own. In the geometry part we didn't just memorize theorems and work problems, we started with some small number of basic theorems and derived everything else. We did stuff that math teachers have assured me isn't normally taught except in higher level courses in college. And I only took three years of the program, but we were well into calculus by that point.

It was why I could not take any math for thirty years and test into algebra two.

But I still don't understand why so many here think that addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication somehow are all algebra.

[seabeyond]

43. doesnt matter. DO IT anyway. do you have homework in algrebra tonight. lol

nah, teasing, but i just heard this from both sons last week

and doesnt matter, just do it.

[Earth_First]

44. Find X

[verges]

77. Oh that made me laugh!!!

Kid deserves a couple points for creativity.

[LostInAnomie]

45. At the most basic level. Other than that, no.

I have to solve for X occasionally. Other than that, all of it was a waste.

[proud2BlibKansan]

49. Other than that??

LOL!

[LostInAnomie]

62. Yeah, other than that I don't use it.

I never have to do any more than basic solving for X problems like 5 + X = 35. I never have to figure anything more complicated than that. Most people don't.

[proud2BlibKansan]

63. Seems like that would be enough to answer the poll question

:shrug:

[Iggo]

47. I solve equations with variables every day.

Construction industry.

[stray cat]

50. Yes and I would never hire anyone who couldn't use it in my laboratory

they would be worthless.

[DemoTex]

51. I use algebra, trig, and calculus almost every day.

I also developed a linear regression program for determining fire location with vertical angle information and azimuth.

[Libertas1776]

53. Ugh,

I despise nothing more than Algebra. If it is really basic, then I can get by, but start asking me this that and the other, and you lose me. As a matter of fact, I think I have an undiagnosed learning disability, I believe they call Dyscalculia or Math Anxiety. Never could afford to have it tested, though. Think of it in the same way that people have Dyslexia and Disgraphia and hence jumble letters and words and can't compute them in their head. The same was always true for me, except it was with numbers. It is my theory that schools chose to ignore such problems since it would be quite costly to do so and since most people don't recognize difficulty comprehending math as a disability, its easier to get away with it. In stead, its just more easy to call you stupid and embarrass you in front of your classmates (Been there:blush:)So to you guys you breeze right through Algebra, count your blessings cause you have no idea what a huge load on your shoulders it is to have such problems with numbers.

[Jennicut]

98. Oh yes, I had major math anxiety in junior high and high school. I tested great in

English and language skills, I can still write an essay for something really easy and was asked to be a tutor for English for the community college I go to.
But math? I was horrible. I flunked Geometry of all things in 10th grade. Got a D in summer school and had to take it again in 11th grade where I got a good teacher and a B. Algebra was tough for me too and had a good teacher 12th grade. She made me write all the Algebra problems out in words and it worked. Only time I got an A in math.
I still get my right and left mixed up. I am horrible at directions. Spatially I have major problems, which is why I think I could not understand geometry well at all. Not many schools will work with students with these issues.

[CTyankee]

106. I had a horrible time in Algebra with negative numbers. I simply could NOT do subtraction

without a little mnemonic device: a weather thermometer. I would count from the negative number and could "see" the process on the thermometer. When I had to pass an algebra proficiency test in college I drew the thermometer in pencil right on the test paper in pencil and then erased it. I passed the test.

[Jennicut]

113. That is a really good idea. Wish I had though of it in school.

I still to this day have to count on my fingers to add and subtract.
I used to write down on my hands my right and left. I still get mixed up and I still get lost trying to get somewhere. I am okay if someone shows me how to get there. I memorize it. But I get confused easily. It can be a mild form of dyslexia. I could not tell time on a clock either. I found math concepts so hard to picture in my mind. Decimal points, multiplication, division were all very hard for me. I thought I was stupid in school though I did good at writing papers. Now, at 33, I think I must have some sort of dyslexia or learning disability.

[CTyankee]

115. In Jr. High School I never was taught why we used Algebra. I didn't understand its purpose,

except to aggravate ME. I avoided it in college. When I returned to finish up my undergraduate degree many years later I was forced to take a course called "Math Ideas." I got a book that explained Algebra to the adult learner. It helped.

To this day I do math very clumsily. If I have to take 15% of something I do 10% and 5% separately, rather than do the muliplication (cuz I get mixed up on where the decimal point goes). Idiotic, I know...

[Jennicut]

121. I am afraid of math to this day...so I totally understand

I would freeze up in class...especially in 7th and 8th grade.

[CTyankee]

125. Well, I HAD to do it to finally get my undergrad degree so I literally

gave myself a "talking to." I sternly told myself that I was a wuss. I was a fully functioning adult and could do this. Boy, did I ever NOT want to and I tried to think of every "out" that I could. But as I said, I developed strategies. Once I was in the Math Ideas class I found a "study buddy" who had never had algebra at all. We would meet on the weekend and do our homework together by putting our collective heads together. I thought I would beat my brains out! Mercifully, this was in an accelerated degree program and each course was only 8 weeks in duration. I told myself that I could take 8 weeks of anything. BTW, would ya believe I made an A in that class!

[Jennicut]

127. I had to take math in college to get my psych degree...statistics

Luckily, I was able to pass with a B. But it was still really, really hard for me. I just had less anxiety at 19 then at 13.

[CTyankee]

129. Me, too! It's hard to do! nt

[AwakeAtLast]

56. I'm a Music Teacher - I only know how to count to 4

and only know my alphabet to G.


:evilgrin:

[lumberjack_jeff]

57. Trig close enough?

Actually, a couple of days ago I had to create a boat hull form using a 3rd order polynomial. Cool, huh?

[Bill McBlueState]

102. whoa...

If you look in any math methods book, they'll tell you that spline fitting, an alternative to polynomial fitting, is named for a tool used by shipbuilders.

But you used a polynomial to do that. Pretty ironic! I suppose this is one of those urban legends that spreads when textbook authors guess about things outside their specialty.

[struggle4progress]

109. Hmmm. The most common splines are piece-wise polynomial.

[timo]

58. AAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHHH

I hated that shit in junior high and high school, never could wrap my brain around it, my mental block against math was my undoing in college (beer too I wont lie)!!!! Later in life like a truck load of bricks it smacks me as soooo simple, if they had used terms I could comprehend ...like yards of road base,square feet of ground, cubic inches of fill material, to this day I cant figure out why I just could not seem to get a grasp of it....I am 20 plus years out of high school and I use math almost every day, I have a small nursery and tree farm in deeeeeeeep south Texas.

[Speck Tater]

60. I did until I retired. Calculus too. I wrote aerodynamics simulation software. nt

[darkstar3]

72. KAHN!!!

It was YOU! YOUR program drove me batty in college!!

Seriously though, good for you. Those programs are some of the most complex and cool things I ever had to work with. Of course, that was when I realized I'd never be any good as a mechanical engineer, but hey, to each their own.

Did your programs perform FEA on stress and strain, or were they geared toward fluid flow?

[BlooInBloo]

88. "Khan". And numerically solving variational problems can be hardcore.

[Speck Tater]

114. "FEA on stress and strain, or fluid flow?"

Neither. Gross behavioral simulation of various small private single engine and twin engine planes, prop, turboprop, and jet. Mostly I wrote flight simulation and platform motion control code for this specific system: http://www.etcaircrewtraining.com/gat2fixed.php until they moved their software development department from Oregon to Warsaw, Poland, after which I retired.

[darkstar3]

137. That's some cool stuff.

:applause:

[eilen]

61. I used to use it every day

working as a nurse. Medications, titrating dosages etc. Chemotherapy dosage according to bsa's-- we double checked them. Now i don't work in a hospital environment, it is much more elementary arithmetic. Adding miles, minutes and even figuring out visit frequencies, it's pretty basic.

My husband uses geometry, algebra, trigonometry every day in his job as an electrician.

[alarimer]

65. I have, believe it or not.

It is not a regular part of my job though.

Most of what I need involves statistics rather than algebra.

[bertman]

68. Algebra, yes. Phygonometry (or whatever that stuff was that I failed), no.

[nuxvomica]

69. If SQL counts, then yes

I spend most of my day either writing it or reviewing what other people wrote.

[aePrime]

70. Algebra, linear algebra, calculus, statistics, triginometry

probability, and discrete math. Every day.

[nadinbrzezinski]

79. As a writer I do not need it

as a medic I used it every shift.

[marybourg]

81. Since I'm retired, my current is job is husbanding my

retirement resources. Algebra is absolutely essential.

[csziggy]

82. Even running a farm, I use algebra, I guess

Even though I never took it as a subject in high school. I have to make sure that my fence corners are square, layout a building and estimate how much concrete and lumber will be needed to build it, figure out how much seed to get to cover a field so I have to figure the area of the field, how much medication to give a horse since it has to be figured by so many milligrams per pound, and so on. Even when I dug ditches to make sure the barns did not flood, I used algebra to figure the slope needed to carry the water away and how wide and deep the ditch needed to handle the maximum flow.

I even use it for my hobby - needlework - when I lay out a new design or figure how much thread will be used, or rescale a design from one size to another. I just used it to draw a diagram of the yard around the house for changing the landscaping, to measure the location of plants and features, and to estimate how many plants will fit in the various beds.

So if someone is trying to prove to a kid that algebra is needed in life, there are some examples that are not "high brow"!

[jberryhill]

85. Use American math, not that Muslim stuff /nt

[TheKentuckian]

87. I bet more people use the principles than think they do.

Its pretty basic problem solving skills that run in the background all the time.

[ThomWV]

90. I'm retired now but I used it every day in my working days

[Le Taz Hot]

91. I don't have a job.

They're not hiring 54-year-old over-qualified females in a 5% unemployment market, much less a 15% unemployment market.

[CBR]

97. Grad student doing policy analysis and program

evaluation. Lots of algebra and stats.

[Overseas]

99. And that damn evolution stuff! How many of you use evolution in your job?

Why the hell should we have to stuff our tiny little brains with all of that useless knowledge-- they might explode !

All we need in school is basic math and obedience training to be good corporate drones.


:sarcasm:

[ProfessorGAC]

100. I Sure Do

And more. (Including the dreaded differential equations!)
GAC

[Tommy_Carcetti]

105. Basic algebra? Yes.

It's very useful for determining percentages of amounts and such.

It's rare that I do a quadratic equation, although I may have done something similar at least once and was quite proud of myself.

[TahitiNut]

108. Algebra? It's an evil invention of them Arabs.

:sarcasm:

[Mass]

112. Most of us use basic algebra. However, few know they do.

In any case, I use algebra a lot more than I write literary analysis. However, my son's school insists that the writing program be mostly literary papers.

[datasuspect]

116. GOD HATES ALGEBER!!!!!1111

IT ARE EVUL MUSLIN MATH!!!!!11111

[PM Martin]

117. Isn't algebra some fancy socialist European thing?

What would "Joe American" think if his fellow countrymen were using such a thing?

[Xenotime]

120. NO.

[Zoeisright]

124. Since any learning increases pathways in your brain, you are using ALL

of the things you ever learned every day. That's the point of algebra, geometry, calculus, physics, chemistry - all of the subjects many people think are useless.

[Recursion]

134. Christ, I use Laplace Transforms daily...

I think everybody uses algebra at some point or other, right? I mean, algebra is just the means of framing the right arithmetic question.

[UndertheOcean]

141. Let me guess , EE ?

:)

[logosoco]

139. I am currently taking an intermediate algebra class...

I am almost 45 and started an Associates degree when I was 18. I was injured on my last job and I am unable to work so I thought this would be the best time to finish that degree!!
MY last job was at a day care center and we did basic algebra when we had to figure "Okay, if we have this many kids we need this many teachers, but when some kids leave we only need this many teachers..."
But that was very basic compared to what I am trying to learn.
Has anyone out there ever had to obtain 3 gallons of a 60% solution when they have some of 15% and some of 20% solution?
My son, who is in calculus and trig and physics in his senior year of high school tries to help me. That's the funnest part about learning it!!!

[UndertheOcean]

140. If by Algebra you mean "Linear Algebra" , than yeah , everyday

if you mean "High School Algebra" , then that is too trivial to even think about. Like asking "Do you read a clock everyday".

I don't think you meant "Abstract Algebra" ,the theory of groups and rings, which is what Mathematicians mean when the "Algebra" ..... but I digress.

[Touchdown]

142. Phone network technician here.

Goes with the territory. Ohms law and all that.

[hughee99]

143. Everyone uses it any time you need to go somewhere for a specific time...

I need to be somewhere by time T. It will take me M minutes to get there. I need to leave by (T - M) to be there on time. If you make the same trip every day (like a commute to work), it's just routine that you leave at a certain time, but whenever going anywhere new, you always calculate when you need to leave by. It's not rocket science and you don't need to take an algebra class to figure it out, but it's still algebra.

[Bozita]

144. Anybody who knows algebra is a muthafuggin ELITIST!

Then they come around and wanna show off their algebra and make all us real Americans feel stupid. Well it ain't gonna work no more.

Real Americans use real numbers. Jesus used real American numbers. When you see X's and Y's and A's and B's and C's and little numbers above and below regular good old American numbers, they're fucking with you. Those letters and little numbers are all secret satanic algebra codes.

The elitists use algebra to try to convince real Americans like me that we should surrender our Medicare for some government run health plan.

But we're too smart for them. We heard the Arabs created algebra. What more could you want? Fucking terrorists!

Algebraists are elitists. They're smart. We're stupid. Haha. They're wrong.

There were NO algebra people in that crowd of 22.5 million in Washington DC on 9/12.

The photos don't lie. I rest my case.

[ddeclue]

152. If 47 DU poll takers in Miami take a bus travelling 75 miles per hour to New York

along I95 and 57 DU Poll takers in New York take a bus traveling 65 miles per hour to Miami leave 35 minutes later along I95, when and where will they meet if the distance between NY and Miami along I95 is 1288 miles?

:rofl:

[PVnRT]

154. Insufficient data for a good model

I need to know about traffic, number and length of stops (bathroom, driver changes, food), as well as the mean time to failure of the buses.