1prophet
Diamond Member
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Because the computational tools that "automatically" solve math problems for you require a high degree of understanding of the methods used by the tool to achieve accurate results. I do a considerable amount of work with finite element analysis, which essentially uses standardized software to approximate the solution of some pretty gnarly differential equations. However, if I don't understand the mathematical underpinnings of the software, then my results will be invalid. The software will still give me a "solution," but it is up to me - the user - to determine the validity of the solution based on what I know about how this stuff works.Originally posted by: piasabird
When you have minimum standards for high school that are grade school requirements, what do you expect?
Money is what people like so offer people big money for algebra 2 and trigonometry.
Many of these people from other countries to learn Math in the United States. It is moronic in a way.
With the advance of computers do we really need to know that much math? If you have a tool that can do the math for you why bother? What good is differential equations to most people?
As far as the US sucking in math and science in high school goes, I'm actually not terribly concerned. I didn't give a rat's about science or math in high school and attended one of the worst high schools in the country. However, when I went to college, I picked up the slack without much trouble and now compare favorably to classmates from India, China, and Europe. I almost think that I am better off not having learned these things in high school because of the methods usually used in high school, which emphasize memorization rather than understanding. Now, I really understand this stuff and can pick up new topics relatively quickly and easily. Sure, it made the first year of college pretty tough, but grad school has been a relative breeze despite the fact that I'm competing directly with those students coming from "superior" academic backgrounds from around the world.
As I've said before, I think the biggest problem in this country is trying to squeeze everyone through a one-size-fits-all mold. Not everyone is going to be an engineer/scientist. Some will be auto mechanics who need a completely different skill set, so it is an exercise in futility trying to teach them all the same stuff. Sure, history and whatever should be the common ground, but there is no reason to take someone who wants to be a mechanic and teach them anything above algebra 1.
I bolded 2 parts in your statement:
However, if I don't understand the mathematical underpinnings of the software, then my results will be invalid. The software will still give me a "solution," but it is up to me - the user - to determine the validity of the solution based on what I know about how this stuff works.
That is exactly the type of thinking that is required to properly diagnose and repair modern and future automobiles.
but there is no reason to take someone who wants to be a mechanic and teach them anything above algebra 1.
Unfortunately most people think even less then that and many who are becoming mechanics today shouldn't be allowed to fix bicycles. The new vehicles today have sophisticated controllers and computer systems that can become very expensive to fix if the people attempting to repair them don't think like you do.
A friend of mine who works for a large auto parts franchise for the northeast was a able to get me into a hybrid class because there were openings due to the fact none of the shops he dealt with were interested in going (intefered with their bowling night and other such events):roll:
Something I did learn from the instructor there was that to properly diagnose hybrid cars one has to have a knowledge of 3-phase power (delta and y) and how it is used in hybrid cars, and he recommended college courses on the subject. Good luck trying to get the type of people who barely understand algebra one to take these classes let alone understand or fix hybrid cars.
This country is in for a rude awakening very soon