Why do we have to learn algebra and how do people use it in our daily life?

Question

Why do we have to learn algebra and how do people use it in our daily life?

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Answer 1

The people who design and create the electronics and software (including games-writers) for the phones/tablets/laptops/televisions/WiFi routers (in fact almost all consumer-electronic and electrical products) .. all use a lot of maths and mathematical ideas daily. Also structural engineers who design bridges and buildings so they don’t fall down. And mechanical engineers who design robots, and motors or engines for cars and motorbikes – use lots of maths to work out how to get the highest performance for lowest cost, weight, or smallest size. People in these professions use maths so much they barely realise they’re doing it.

Starting to learn algebra at school opens the possibility that you could one day go into those sorts of interesting jobs.

In business, or as a salesperson you’d need a basic level of maths, including algebra, to keep track of profit and loss, sales and commissions, and to make decisions on whether to spend money up-front in order to make a saving or make a sale later.

In everyday life outside of those careers, a working knowledge of maths is important for your financial well-being. You need maths to work out which mortgage or credit or car-financing offer is a good or bad deal, and if you get it wrong, it could cost you $100000’s over a lifetime. Similarly for utility-bills and the different tariffs, or to calculate whether installing a new heating system or solar panels is *really* going to save to you money or not. When you get older you’ll have to worry about income tax, and perhaps means-tested benefits – again a knowledge of maths will enable you to check that you are paying or receiving the correct amounts, and help you make the most of your situation.

Sorry to say it, but people with poor maths skills are exploited, ripped-off, and misled by unscrupulous banks and other organisations (sometimes subtly, over time). In politics too, you’ll get the wool pulled over your eyes if you don’t understand maths.