I'm Never Going to Use This Math [insert Algbra, Geometry, Calculus] After High School! Why Bother Taking It?
Have you ever heard your child utter words like these? Perhaps you have even had similar thoughts yourself. A solid understanding of statistics and probability allow people to ferret out when “experts” are misleading the public. Likewise, many agree knowing how to manage money, balance a checking account, determine rates of interest and other "life skills" math applications is a good idea, but who needs algebra or calculus? Calculus is a branch of mathematics primarily used in physics. It has many practical uses for engineers, pharmaceutical scientists, video game programmers, roller coaster designers, and others who must know how forces in the physical world interact. Should a future librarian or a business major take the time and effort to grapple with differential equations? What about a baker, carpenter or jeweler? Should they know how to balance equations and work with exponents?
At Mathnasium of Littleton, we answer with a resounding “Yes!” Calculus and higher math enhances a person’s thinking & problem-solving skills, increases self- confidence, and opens doors of opportunity.
Learn Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills
Some aspects of education have direct correlations to work and life outside of school. Most of the elementary school curriculum has direct uses in everyday life. Knowing how to add and subtract, spell, write and read are skills every adult uses regularly. As students progress academically more and more of their time is spent on ideas that further thinking skills but don’t have as many direct applications to day to day living for most people. A few high school exceptions to this include subjects like: nutrition, financial literacy, civics, and auto repair.
So why does the high school English curriculum include analyzing American literature from the nineteenth century? Does a future computer programmer or plumber really need to be able to decipher themes from The Scarlet Letter? This is an example of a subject with an indirect correlation to life. Students reading The Scarlet Letter are not using the book as a “how-to guide” on marriage and morality. They are learning to analyze the interconnectedness of big concepts like freedom and social responsibility.
Our brains don’t departmentalize thinking skills. They transfer from one part of life to another. Thus,the analytical skills gained from thinking about and discussing The Scarlet Letter may help a computer whiz make a good decision about whether or not to hack into a private system.
What thinking skills are learned in calculus? Calculus teaches problem solving better than most subjects do, and all of us can use the ability to solve problems! Ask any adult if they face problems in life, and if they are honest, they should answer daily! A person who takes calculus will learn:
Every person can benefit from those skills. Beyond increased thinking and problem-solving skills, there are other reasons to take calculus.
Calculus Boosts Self-Confidence
Think about some of your most meaningful accomplishments. Weren’t many of them preceded by a period of difficulty? Putting a lot of effort into a goal is rewarding and increases a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
Calculus will cause stress in some teenagers' lives as they wrestle with homework and stay home from parties or football games to study for a test. Few teenagers willingly choose homework and studying over parties, social events or video games, however, a high school student who passes calculus will know that they have the intellectual capability and the persistence necessary to attempt other goals. This knowledge will carry them much further in life than a few extra social outings before graduation. All professions need confidence to keep going in the face of obstacles. Calculus offers the opportunity to stretch perceived limitations.
Keeping Options Open
You never know where life will take you. Have your son or daughter take a poll of adults over the age of 35. They will learn that many people change their career path from what they thought it would be in high school (even more than once). They may want to read the quick bio of Lauren Sperber who got her master’s degree in literature before becoming a software engineer. Teenagers shouldn’t limit their possibilities to pursue STEM careers just because they think they don’t want one now at age 16, 17 or 18. The more skills teens develop, the more career options and flexibility they will have in the future.
Convinced but Nervous about Failing?
"Okay," you think, calculus seems like a good idea but won't getting a poor grade hurt me more than taking the class will help me? Perhaps, but probably not as much as you think, and you do not have to tackle the challenges of calculus alone. Mathnasium of Littleton is here to help with material to fill in any pre-calculus gaps you might have as well as assist with homework and study prep for tests.
Call us today for more information. (303) 979-9077
And check out this article on careers that use Algebra
https://work.chron.com/list-careers-use-algebra-14592.html
This article was written by and is owned by Cuttlefish Copywriting. It is copyright protected. Mathnasium of Littleton has permission to use it. Other Mathnasium locations should contact Heather at [email protected] before using it.
(303) 979-9077
(303) 979-9077
