I believe that math is useless and I shouldn’t be required to take any more math classes. Take geometry for example, unless I become a scientist or a mathematician, there is no point in learning about geometric proofs and analytical geometry. For example, when will I ever need to know where the centroid or the ortJ-center of a triangle is? Trigonometry is even more useless, we have a calculator, so why would we need the sum-product and other trig formulas? Calculus is one of the stupidest subjects. True, calculus can be used in real-world applications, specifically related rates, and optimization. Also, calculus can be used to prove and derive most physics formulas.
However, there is a major flaw, We assume that everything in nature can be represented by a function, but the problem is if it isn‘t, we can’t use differentiation or integration because there is no function. Furthermore, calculus is not very practical, We high school students think “Oh, calculus is so hard, but that’s ok, I passed it, no more maths!! But there is more to that since real-world/nature doesn’t work that simple. We need multi-variate calculus and differential equations. These series of math courses are never going to stop.
I have the lucky experience to know calculus, and people have always asked me why calculus is useful, and I can never truly answer them. Yes, calculus can be used to approximate functions using the Taylor series, find the tangent of a graph, find the length of an arc, and also to find the volume of a graph revolved around an axis. But why would anyone ever use this in our real, practical world? Calculus and other math might be useful to quantum physicists, but why would it be useful to us, high school students? Overall, I believe that math in general is useful, but there is no point to continue our math education beyond the basics of algebra/geometry since few of us are planning to have a career in science/math.
Calculus has practical applications in fields like physics, economics, engineering, computer science, and data analysis. For example, it is used in predicting population growth, modeling the spread of diseases, optimizing resource allocation, and understanding the behavior of financial markets. Moreover, learning advanced math subjects goes beyond their immediate applications. It nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills, which are transferable to various aspects of life. These skills are essential for making informed decisions, evaluating evidence, and understanding complex systems.
While it is true that not everyone may use advanced math concepts in their daily lives, the goal of math education is to provide a foundation that allows individuals to think critically, solve problems, and adapt to new situations. Additionally, exposure to different mathematical concepts broadens one’s perspective and fosters a deeper understanding of the world around us. In conclusion, math education extends beyond its immediate applications in science and mathematics careers. It develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are valuable in numerous fields. While it is understandable to question the relevance of certain math topics, it is important to recognize the broader benefits that math education offers in terms of cognitive development and analytical thinking.