You know , the only subject , that after 11 years of school you still

[UndertheOcean]

have no frickin idea what is it all about , really , is Math.

Its all formulaic and boring , no hint at all of what is encountered in college.

[electron_blue]

1. LOL couldn't be further from the truth for me.

[mainegreen]

2. That was english for me.

Still baffles me.

[femmocrat]

3. I totally agree!

Unless you are going into a profession that requires it, you won't remember any of it. So why so much emphasis on math instead of "useful" subjects? :shrug:

[Duer 157099]

4. Math trains your brain how to think logically

it's not just about the specifics. Fact is, it might actually be the *only* subject that will have impacted you.

[DarkTirade]

5. There are plenty of other ways to learn how to think logically.

Right now I'm bored out of my skull in math class because I've spent the last several years doing computer programming on the side, so my brain is already used to thinking in terms of balancing equations. So I'll figure out how to solve a problem before the teacher finishes telling the class how to do it, and I've already moved on to the next one.

[Duer 157099]

7. You are the exception

I'm currently (and I do mean *right* this very moment) engaged in a battle with my 8th grader who is basically telling me the same thing about math, only... he has no interest in learning how to think x(

[DarkTirade]

8. I'm an exception there too...

I've always been interested in learning how to think. :P

[minnesota_liberal]

36. I always needed to see the practical applications for math

It worked fine for geometry and algebra but not calculus - which was too far out to be pratical.

[pokerfan]

39. No practical applications for calculus?

That's a new one.

[minnesota_liberal]

46. Got any examples?

[pokerfan]

47. Well, probably the first application a student

of differential calculus learns are the so-called min/max optimizations.

For example, a box with an open top is to be constructed from a square piece of cardboard, say three feet on a side, by cutting out a square from each of the four corners and bending up the sides. Find the largest volume that such a box can have.

If you cut the corners too small, you will have a very shallow box with not much volume. If you cut the corners too big, you will have a very tall skinny box with not much volume. What dimensions give the largest volume?

[minnesota_liberal]

49. That's more interesting -- and practical -- than anything I saw

The only problems I remember involved instantaneous rate of change and area under a curve. Neither seemed very useful.

[PVnRT]

50. Except that they are

Determining the area under a curve is how you average out instantaneous readings to determine how much of a particular pollutant a factory is releasing into the air or a river.

As for instantaneous rate of change, it's highly scrutinized when you're designing a high-performance engine or braking system. Just two of many possible examples.

[minnesota_liberal]

51. Maybe practical, but not interesting - to me.

[pokerfan]

53. It was always easier when I could see an application

You're still dealing with instantaneous rates of change.

The classic box problem requires finding the rate of change (derivative) of the box's volume with respect to the size of the notch.

Here's a plot I threw together illustrating the box's volume vs. the size of the notch:



It's obvious that the solution is point on top of the hill where the volume is maximum. One thing about maximums (and minimums): it's also a point where the slope goes to zero.

So to solve the problem, first take the derivative. The plot of the derivative will look like this:



The point where the derivative (slope) reaches zero is the solution. Set the derivative equal to zero and solve for the variable.

And yeah, the optimum size of the notches are 0.5 feet on a side resulting in a volume of 2 cubic feet. There's a second solution (it's a quadratic after all) where the notch is 1.5 feet, but that solution is meaningless because the notches would not only remove all the material, it's also a solution that represents a minimum as you can see by looking at the first plot.

[Rabrrrrrr]

23. So it's not math you despise, perhaps, but your specific math *class* that you hate.

Sounds like it isn't coming at you fast enough - perhaps talk to the teacher/professor and see if you go independent or be bumped up a level.

[DarkTirade]

27. Partly the class itself...

but mostly just a BAD teacher.

She'll just go through a method and explain all the little bits and details without once telling people WHY they are doing what they're doing.

So the kids who can't figure it out on their own know how to fake it enough to pass the test, but don't have a clue what the hell they just did.

And people like me who are interested in figuring out how it works rather than just memorizing a list of instructions are left to fend for ourselves pretty much.

[Connonym]

25. that explains why I'm so illogical

I think the *only* subject that really leaves it's prints on you is reading. Without that one you're pretty much screwed.

[qwertyMike]

6. Algebra n/t

[JVS]

9. LIES!

Math is teh roXXozr!

[Frank Cannon]

10. I absolutely hated math until I took trigonometry

Then, finally, I felt like I was learning something useful and even a little fun. I LOVED that class. But that was as far as I went with my math education.

[ceile]

14. Me too.

Trig rocked-finally something I could understand w/ out having to think very hard. But then came calculus :scared:

[asteroid2003QQ47]

11. Math freaks are...

the spawn of Satan!

[DS1]

63. As if I needed math for yet another reason for people to call me that

[TZ]

12. The quadratic equation/slope of a line

Something most people learn in HS, is something I deal with on a day to day basis..At least I have a program that helps with it though....

[Dr. Strange]

17. But you don't need the program, right?

You can complete the square if needed, right? Otherwise, I'll have to put you on my Ignore list, right next to CreekDog. And you don't want to be next to CreekDog after he's had one of his "showers."

[TZ]

19. of course I can do it in my head..

but that's only if you consider my brain to be named "Softmax Pro".......:P

[Dr. Strange]

24. Softmax Pro?

That so totally sounds like a porn movie. Are you making that up?

[TZ]

26. No I swear on my degree

Thats the name of the software..Softmax Pro, 4.6..helps me generate really nice curves....:D

[Cabcere]

28. So THAT'S your secret!

:rofl: :hi:

[TZ]

31. LOL!

I so thought you were DuStrange..Do you ever get the feeling that you, me, DuStrange and temeah are in some weird way share the same brain?:rofl:

[Cabcere]

33. Yeah - it's pretty crazy, isn't it?

:rofl: And a little scary, maybe...lol. :crazy: :hi:

[Dr. Strange]

56. Check out the sigline!

[TZ]

64. I think I posted this elsewhere but..

I think it bears repeating..I LOVE IT!! Who else could make a boring old scientific data collection software sound so naughty?

[Book Lover]

13. With you there brother

The only part of math that made any sense to me was geometry. All of the rest of it - I could not care less, nor do I use one whit of it in my real life.

[DS1]

15. I loved geometry class

got a C+ because I aced my tests but as with my other classes, never did my homework.



If they had gotten right to the interesting stuff in other courses, like how much dynamite is needed to breach a 2 ton door, then I might have done better.

[Yavin4]

16. If More Americans Were Good At Math

The Republican party would be extinct.

[Pierre.Suave]

20. HAHAHA

no Doubt!!!!!!!!

[UndertheOcean]

18. The replies to this thread are proof positive that most people don't know what math

really is ... sigh

[WritingIsMyReligion]

21. Ehh, math's fine.

So's English. :D

[Rabrrrrrr]

22. BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Untrue!! VERY VERY Untrue!!!!

Math is fucking EVERYWHERE, and we use it ALL THE TIME.

It's the most important subject in school.

[Fox Mulder]

29. I absolutely hate math.

My god I barely passed Calculus I (got a D) and it was the only class I petitioned to use the "D" grade to count towards graduation. There was no way in hell I was going to retake that class. I also find no use for Calculus in everyday life.

[LibDemAlways]

30. When I was in high school in the 1960's my math

and science "teachers" were often football/basketball coaches who knew next to nothing about the subject. I remember the geometry "teacher" reading out of the book and trying to make sense of it as he went along. The result of all the crappy teaching was that I never understood it.

This year my daughter is taking geometry in high school. She has an excellent teacher who has an MS in math from Stanford and is gifted in being able to impart the subject to her students. I sit with my daughter when she's doing her homework, and I'm learning it, too - for the first time.

I really do think the quality of the teaching has a lot to do with a person's ability to comprehend and appreciate math - at least for those who are not naturally good at it.

[SocratesInSpirit]

32. the only math I remember...

...apart from basic addition and subtraction, is how to calculate a percentage. But then, I'm a writer. We don't need no stinkin' math. :-)

Even worse - my father is an actuary. You'd think it would have rubbed off on me.

[Critters2]

37. My father is an engineer. And deeply disappointed. nt

[fudge stripe cookays]

34. a2 + b2 = c2

That's all I remember, or care to.

I learned how to read when I was five. All I ever wanted was to have my head stuck in a book. I read voraciously. So much so that I became a writer. But I still freaking hate math.

[SocratesInSpirit]

35. I think that's called the Pythagorean Theorem

But as to what the purpose of it is, I've no idea. I vaguely recall it had something to do with triangles. :shrug: :)

I'm sure the math whizzes are wincing as they read this post. :hi:

Edit: Aha! According to Wikipedia: In mathematics, the Pythagorean theorem (American English) or Pythagoras' theorem (British English) is a relation in Euclidean geometry among the three sides of a right triangle. The theorem is named after the Greek mathematician Pythagoras, who by tradition is credited with its discovery and proof,<1> although knowledge of the theorem almost certainly predates him.

I was right. Triangles are involved. :)

[pokerfan]

38. Here's a nifty "proof"

[fudge stripe cookays]

43. Hey! That is cool!

I remember the video of Donald Duck and the Greek stuff with the pool table, but more animated stuff like that would have made it make more sense.

As it was, I had no idea what they were talking about in most instances.

[pokerfan]

55. There used to be a show called the Mechanical Universe

that did a fantastic job at explaining introductory physics using lots of computer animations as well as calculus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mechanical_Universe">The Mechanical Universe

You can stream all of the episodes online for free: The Mechanical Universe and Beyond

It's well worth a look.

[Jimbo S]

59. The magic of the Pythagoream Theorem

it's the last thing taught during an algebra term. You incorporate everything you learned up to that point to be able get

a*x^2 + b*x + c = 0

into

x = (-b +/- sqrt(b^2 - 4*a*c))/2a

[Jimbo S]

65. Actually quadratic equation. my bad

[Jimbo S]

58. Better stay away from my bookcase, then

Two Michael Moore books, however plenty of math/stat/engr books.

:evilgrin:

[fudge stripe cookays]

61. Geek.

I KEED! :D

[The Animator]

40. I have my math classes to thank for becoming a better artist.

If I didn't spend that extra hour a day drawing, I wouldn't be as awesome as I am now. The only really sucky part about the class was when the teacher would call me to provide an answer. I focus when I draw... the rest of the world fades away, so when this guy calls my out my name, he completely fucks up my concentration. You'd think, that after the first couple hundred times, he would realize, that I wasn't going to know the answer... I never new the answer.. not just because I had him on "ignore", but because math hated me.. to save time, he should just skip me... and ask somebody who was actually paying attention.

[Skittles]

41. speak for yourself

I took four years of high school math in the seventies and I loved it - it was my favorite subject. I think they MAKE it boring by failing to impart to students WHAT IT IS USED FOR.

[JVS]

42. Do you mean to tell me that you never sat with your friends while drinking beer...

and calculated whether getting the X-large pizza is worth it based on the price per square inch?

[lligrd]

44. Geography And Even If You Did Know It

It changed.

[asteroid2003QQ47]

45. Math Suks

If necessity was the mother of invention
Then Id like to kill the guy who invented this
The numbers come together in some kind of third dimension
A regular algebraic bliss

Lets starts with something simple
Like 1 and 1 aint 3
Any 2 plus 2 will never get you 5
Theres fractions in my subtraction
And x dont equal y
But my homework is bound to multiply

Math suks (math suks), math suks (math suks)
Id like to burn this text book
I hate that stuff so much
Math suks (math suks), math suks (math suks)
Sometimes I think that I dont know that much
But math suks

I got so bored with my homework
I turned on the tv
The beauty pageant winners were all smiling through their teeth
And they asked the new miss america
Hey babe can you add up all those bucks
She looked puzzled then just said math suks

Math suks (math suks), math suks (math suks)
You dont even have to spell it
All you have to do is yell it
Math suks (math suks), math suks (math suks)
Sometime times I think that I dont know that much
But math suks

Geometry and trigonometry and if they dont tax your brain
There are numbers to big to be named
Numerical precision is a science with a mission
And I think its gonna drive me insane

Parents fighting with their children
And the congress cant agree
Teachers and their students are all jousting constantly
Management and labor keep rattling old sabres
Quacking like those peabody ducks

Math suks (quack quack), math suks (quack quack)
You dont even have to spell it
All you have to do is yell it
Math suks, thats right, math suks, you got it
Sometime times I think that I dont know that much
But math suks
All right there goes our g rating

Math suks, math suks, math suks the big one
Math suks, math suks, math suks the big one
Math suks, math suks, math suks the big one
Math suks, math suks, math suks, math suks

[PVnRT]

48. You know, I find it interesting

I'm an engineer, and in order to be considered "well-rounded" I have to take humanities and art (which I did, without complaints, and got a poli sci minor). Same with other scientists and technical people.

Yet the writers, musicians and artists are not required to take science and math classes to "round out" their education. Why is that? This disdain and outright hatred of the subjects by those who never really had to get into them just plain disturbs me. If I were to start a thread saying how much I thought art classes were boring and not useful (no, I don't believe that), I would be rightfully flamed to a crisp.

[mtnester]

52. I found that I use Algebra more each day

and it pisses me off. Can you say intense spreadsheets with complex formulas? Yeah, those. I use Algebra to map out the sheets before I even start.

This sucks because I hated Algebra and figurd it would be a subject I would NEVER use after school. Wrong.

[Beer Snob-50]

54. Math is the one subject I use on a daily basis

of course I am an accountant. But it is used in every facet of one's life. There was even the stupid formula for a triangle that a friend actually used when building part of my deck last summer.

[Javaman]

57. I can say, that I actually had to use algebra in one of my past jobs.

I think Mrs. Reed for that. LOL

[VenusRising]

60. Math may be the one subject that keeps me from going back to college.

I'm math retarded. It doesn't like me and I don't like it. I've never done well with math and I just don't think that my brain has any aptitude for numbers whatsoever. Numbers piss me off and always make me throw my hands up in disgust.

[DS1]

62. Chemistry

for me. Don't like it at all. Anything beyond "This is an acid, and this is a base, they cancel each other out" was a moot point for me.