Why do we have to learn algebra and how do people use it in our daily life?
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Learning algebra allows you to think about real life things in terms of one or more variables. In other words, not knowing what all values are, or choosing to change one value and see what impact that has.
Some of the algebra concepts you already use intuitively. For example, if you want to buy a new phone for $480 dollars, and you have $320, how much extra do you need to save? The algebraic way of doing this is: 320 + X = 480, solve for X, but you know from earlier maths you simply do 480 – 320 to get 160. Learning algebra allows you to do more complex variations of this without specifically doing algebra.
You can also use it for checking what impact a change will have. For example, you might be trying to sell a car online, and you have the option of listing with a company that charges you a flat fee of $50 plus 3% of the sale price above $5000. A second site charges you a rate of 2% of the full price. If you think you can sell your car for $7000, which is the better option? And if spending $500 on getting professional photos taken will increase the sale price by $2000, do you need to switch online vendors to reduce the fees you pay?
Algebra teaches you both the practical tools to make these calculations, plus the more important ability to think in the abstract with variables values and unknowns.
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