My wife and I had this discussion yesterday. Do kids really need algebra in school? There are a lot of different skill levels on this sight from professional trappers to lawyers, mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, factory workers, drivers and the list goes on. Does anyone in their daily life use algebra? Our discussion was these kids would be better off being taught how to read a tape measure. Seriously. Something simule as measuring drapes or curtains. Hanging a picture, how wide is the door opening and so on.
I'm NOT saying algebra is not important, I'm sure it is in the right application. But for most of us we will almost never use it. This post just pertains to algebra. There are many other things we can question about learning.

If you build anything, you will use algebra. If you cook, you will eventually use algebra.

i dont use it daily but I sure dont regret taking time to get a working knowledge of it

Actually, I believe many people use simple algebra processes every day. You have to be taught to read a tape measure?

More like fractions and cross multiplying?

I use algebra and trigonometry frequently as an electrician. Had to learn it in trade school, math never made sense to me in high school.

I've worked the construction trades all my life. First as a cabinet maker, then framer now as a NWCO sealing up houses to keep critters out.

Yes, algebra AND geometry is needed. The pythagorean is memorized and has been used regularly to determine rafter and stair lengths, from that I can get squares of shingle or sheets of decking. Today I get rake trim and linear feet to be caulked. And all of this can be done from the ground without tape measure! Or calculator.

I use geometry and trig at work with frequency with blueprints in QA biz.

Question anwsered. Thank you folks.

But yes, I despised algebra in school. Geometry I could wrap my head around as I do good visualizing shapes mentally.

I think your question is valid, I would like to see math studies focused more on application vs theory. One of my degrees is in Engineering, so yes I used it a lot but now retired- I probably use algebra more on a daily basis than I even realize or think about- it's another tool that if you recognize when to use it or apply it, it benefits financial decisions, DYI project work , it becomes engrained in how you think.

Yes i do not as much now i'm a retired millwright but i still like to build a little finding centers ,chords of a circle to set up drilling patterns finding angles with a square for odd shaped plates and of course "Pythagoras's Theory"

In school i thought algebra was a waste of time felt the same about bottled water

I have had to use Algebra for the past 10 years almost daily, thankfully now that my kids are almost done with high school and I will no longer be helping with homework it will no longer need it.

Here math has multiple streams in high school. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, cooking, heck even farming all use algebra regularly. I think people that think they never use it, simply just don't realize they use it.

Genau!

Back when I framed houses I could take a set of prints and if the foundation was square and true cut every board from sill to ridge and lay them out numbered as they were needed. However I've yet to meet a concrete crew that could pour a square foundation. LOL

It amazed me the number of kids, lumber toters, that seemed to think that was some sort special hidden knowledge.

The Babylonians and Egyptians were using it ahead of everyone else. Particularly in following the planets. They were leaders in many things including medicine. That's why we should not think of them as an easy take when it comes to defense .

As someone who hated it and fought it all the way up until 30 when they went back to school and learned it, I am for it. It is applicable and helpful in every day life once you know it. The basics anyway. I’m not sure parabolas and graph functions are necessary.

I am also a retired engineer and used algebra, geometry, and trigonometry extensively in my profession. For me the problem is more that math teachers seem to know nothing about how math is used in practical application. To them it's all about the math, not how to use it as a tool. If they could make math relate to everyday uses they could make it a lot more interesting for the student.

Our clock is set up on 60 seconds and 60 minutes. Attributed to Babylonians use use of 60. Still some of them had strange ideas. They thought the sun revolved around the earth and went thru a tunnel in the earth causing darkness.