Why Study Algebra?

[sigmagirl2000]

linear equations can be used in simple applications like "I have to pay my cell phone bill. It costs $50 a month, then $.10 for every text I go over however many are allotted in the plan." The .10 would be your slope, and the $50 would be your y-intercept. You can use those to graph and determine how much you will pay per month based on the number of texts over your plan you use, etc. You can compare your own cell phone plan to other plans to determine if you have the best plan based on your usage and needs (by solving a system of equations.) etc. I don't know. As a math teacher, I constantly apply what we are doing in classes to teens.... if you want more ways, let me know and I'll pay attention to the things that fall out of my mouth during class when I get "why do we need this?" questions. (because the responses are spontaneous, and without any thought)

[southbymidwest]

Originally Posted by sigmagirl2000

linear equations can be used in simple applications like "I have to pay my cell phone bill. It costs $50 a month, then $.10 for every text I go over however many are allotted in the plan." The .10 would be your slope, and the $50 would be your y-intercept. You can use those to graph and determine how much you will pay per month based on the number of texts over your plan you use, etc. You can compare your own cell phone plan to other plans to determine if you have the best plan based on your usage and needs (by solving a system of equations.) etc. I don't know. As a math teacher, I constantly apply what we are doing in classes to teens.... if you want more ways, let me know and I'll pay attention to the things that fall out of my mouth during class when I get "why do we need this?" questions. (because the responses are spontaneous, and without any thought)

I wish my kids could have had you for algebra.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by sigmagirl2000

linear equations can be used in simple applications like "I have to pay my cell phone bill. It costs $50 a month, then $.10 for every text I go over however many are allotted in the plan." The .10 would be your slope, and the $50 would be your y-intercept. You can use those to graph and determine how much you will pay per month based on the number of texts over your plan you use, etc. You can compare your own cell phone plan to other plans to determine if you have the best plan based on your usage and needs (by solving a system of equations.) etc.

How sad is it that I read this three times and still thought "I would have no clue how to do that"?

If it hasn't already been obvious, clearly part of the problem is that our son has two parents for whom math was always something of a foreign language. So, for example, when he was struggling with linear equations, I had to look them up and try to remember/learn again what they are before I could even think of helping him -- I was basically trying to learn them along with him.

Seriously. thanks for the suggestion. Once I wrap my head around it -- and I'll do my best to do that -- I'll try it on him. And yes, I wish he had you for a teacher, too.