11-12-2003, 11:16 PM | #21 | ||
Lord Ao
Join Date: May 17, 2001
Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Age: 53
Posts: 2,069
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Quote:
I remember hating word problems, because they never started you with the equation (you had to actually review the problem, and set up the problem based upon the situation; you were not "spoon fed" the equation). Now that I look back, I now know why teachers force fed you so many of them. Being able to look at all of the facts (many of which are irrelevent for what you are doing) and weed out the important facts for consideration is a valuable skill. All situations you run into in the real world are usually clogged up with facts and events that, if you boil the problem down, really have no bearing on the problem other than to confuse you. Quote:
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11-12-2003, 11:18 PM | #22 |
Drow Warrior
Join Date: September 16, 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Age: 47
Posts: 257
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Here is a list of the types of math I use daily:
Algebra Geometry Trigonometry Calculus Statistics My job is managing a group of accountants (statistics and algebra play major roles here). The rest of the math plays a part in my every day job when I am responsible for procuring a projected profit and loss statement for my department quarterly, based upon 50 years of sales data. Welcome to executive management, the last place I would have expected to find math of this level necessary. |
11-12-2003, 11:34 PM | #23 |
Baaz Draconian
Join Date: April 26, 2002
Location: florida
Age: 42
Posts: 761
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i somewhat enjoy math more than other subjects (such as english) but still believe it is next to useless in the real world once you get past that level that isnt used by anyone but certain professions.
The method i learned math was prety much memorize formule A, reasons why to apply formula A, and then doing problems involving that formula till i worked out the various 'kinks' that they like to throw in to make it more difficult. This didnt teach me anything about analytical thinking or good planning; i learned these things in the real world (games!) i mean really, untill college every single class seems to be just memorization of a technique or information temporarily. Heck, a lot of college courses are like that. there are very very very few classes that focus on you thinking for yourself, coming up with your own answers, planning/analyzing situations etc. Science courses in college *really* try hard to screw you up; most will not give you any problems even remotely like the ones you see on the homework. they are *real* challenges to solve since you are supposed to be able to by connecting the various techniques learned to solve other problems and using common sense. Really, physics based courses teach you to think (or fail you!); its too bad most other classes arent like this; course if they did id be willing to bet most people would fail since they dont generaly teach you to think earlier. I suppose if they taught this way from day 1 in kindergarden we would end up with a heck of a lot more thinking oriented people and much fewer memorizers. |
11-12-2003, 11:56 PM | #24 | |
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Posts: n/a
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11-13-2003, 12:30 AM | #25 | |
Jack Burton
Join Date: May 31, 2002
Location: Ireland
Posts: 5,854
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Quote:
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Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon... |
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11-13-2003, 01:02 AM | #26 |
40th Level Warrior
Join Date: October 29, 2001
Location: Western Wilds of Michigan
Posts: 11,752
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Hmmm... who uses math?
Programmers Accountants Engineers Bankers Lawyers Doctors Scientists Managers Carpenters Stonemasons Bricklayers Special effects guys in movies Artists Consultants Analysts Pizza delivery guys Inventors Roller coaster designers Rocket scientists Rock stars Authors And the list goes on. Maybe a better question is who DOESN't use math. Any takers? Some people may argue against some of these. I'll defend all of them, so long as you let me address any jobs you think don't use math... I believe I agree with what's been said thus far -- you may not use all your math skills all the time, and some but rarely, but the more you have, the more you can handle everyday situations without a worry.
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*B* Save Early, Save Often Save Before, Save After Two-Star General, Spelling Soldiers -+-+-+ Give 'em a hug one more time. It might be the last. |
11-13-2003, 02:30 AM | #27 |
Jack Burton
Join Date: May 31, 2002
Location: Ireland
Posts: 5,854
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Majority of these professions incorporate basic calculations. This is something that is taught in schools yes but is actually part of our own instincts. Even animals can do these basic calculations. The rest of them, well...they use calculators to save on time [img]smile.gif[/img] .
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Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon... |
11-13-2003, 02:35 AM | #28 |
Knight of the Rose
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Bungleau, I don't know if I missed a post somewhere, but I don't think anyone claimed there was a job that didn't use math. Only jobs that didn't uses higher maths. All occupations, and the vast majority of basic daily activities incorporate some level of basic math.
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"When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com |
11-13-2003, 02:40 AM | #29 | |
Drow Priestess
Join Date: March 13, 2001
Location: a hidden sanctorum high above the metroplex
Age: 54
Posts: 4,037
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Quote:
I don't know if you study martial arts, but if you do then you know that when you are first starting that all you are really doing is memorization: hold your hand/wrist this way when punching, keep your toes curled back when kicking, the sequence of moves in the basic kata, etc. As you progress you understand more of the true nature of the moves you are doing and they become instinctive and natural. This same process occurs with mathematics (or any topic of study)--the basics like the soltution of the general quadratic equation must be memorized; only after you reach a certain point do you begin to understand what the solution really means and how to apply it more generally. Memorization has its place in learning. The true key to learning and understanding is when you are able to apply what you have memorized to more general problems/situations. [img]graemlins/petard.gif[/img]
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Everything may be explained by a conspiracy theory. All conspiracy theories are true. No matter how thinly you slice it, it's still bologna. |
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11-13-2003, 02:15 PM | #30 | |
Symbol of Cyric
Join Date: November 17, 2002
Location: Sweden
Age: 38
Posts: 1,359
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Quote:
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