zozee

I have a witty 6th grade son who is just learning algebra. He is really bright in math and I think figures things out in his head so fast that it's hard for him to realize he is solving for x by mentally subtracting, adding, etc. Writing down the formulas and steps to solve for x is making him extrememly frustrated.

At his breaking point, he came to me and said, "Mom, when will I ever use this? Never! When have YOU ever used it? Never! It's like an algae bra. You will NEVER use it AND it stinks!"

Tartan

I have never used it either.

Neesie

Some of the things that seem useless, actually strengthen the brain, for future tasks.

alikat110

My daughter is in the same age and is loving her advanced math class...it is a great age....

NJ Quilter

DH was (and still is) like that...figuring all in his head before writing anything down. Says he used to get scolded by the teachers all the time for not writing the formulas - just the answers. And being the person he is, would argue with the teacher that since the answer was correct, why was it such an issue not writing the formula???? He is my go-to guy when it comes to fabric calculations! Cuz I just absolutely suck at math.

buslady

I remember thinking the same thing. But now I realize, I use it almost daily. You probobly do,too, and just don't realize it. The most obvious is in our quilting. Especially if you like to make your pattern up as you go, or if you change a pattern in some way. I have never been good at memorizing anything, therefore; I have had to know "why" something is what it is, so by making sense to me, I can figure it out. Moving furniture around, designing quilts, cooking (if you like to doubl, half, etc the recipe). I can't even think right now of all the ways I use it. But I think about it as I am figureing something out. "I sure am glad I took algebra and geometry in school". LOL Sounds like son is very gifted and just needs to know the why's of it all. Good luck and happy studying!! Oh, at least to my knowledge, the rules of both subjects have not changed, like the new math and some of the other subjects kids bring home for mom to help with!! New math makes NO sense at all to me. LOL

Jingle

My Granddaughter is much older and college algebra is really holding her up. Her 4 year college is taking a long time to finish. She is putting herself through college, trying to live her life and working part time at several jobs. She finally has a Prof. telling them they will never need to memorize the formulas and allows them to use their book. She should finally get through it so she can get a degree next spring. Sure has helped the college out. She is going into marketing and international sales.

mighty

Kids are so funny, but right!

zozee

The curriculum doesn't use the most languAge (it's Singapore math) so I understood his confusion. If you leave out the word "each" , it makes all the fifference in the answer. His answer to the question was correct as it was worded, but the jist of the problem was to end up with that answer divided but four . I need to speak with the teacher.

zozee

Most precise, i meant.