Ask Lemmy

Depends on your level and what you want to do afterwards. Then again, I'm in a country that offers different levels of highschool.

I've never used anything beyond basic algebra and basic geometry outside of a classroom. I have used statistics but I don't remember that being taught in high school, maybe that should change.

Anything beyond those should be optional but definitely made available for those who are interested.

I say there should be more emphasis on the practical applications of the more basic math.

Too many people barely understand interest rates on car and home loans and can't figure out what they can actually afford. More high level math isn't going to help them deal with every day issues involving math.

I feel like calculus should probably start to be introduced in like maybe late-elementary-age? Certainly before high-school-age. I don't think everyone needs a dedicated 1-year course on it, but some of the concepts are certainly useful and understandable at that age. Regardless of whether its from compulsory education or some alternative education process.

Hmm. I think algebra 1, 2, intro stats, and geometry for core curriculum. Anything beyond like calculus(I took) as elective or college credit. It’s been years but I think I took stats over trig.

Personal finance should be taught but not at the expense of other maths.

I really struggled hard with Algebra. My Dad was a Math major, and my younger brother inherited his his Math gene, and is a genuine fucking genius, but I was a musician, and had trouble even memorizing the multiplication tables.

I'm old now, and over my entire life, I've never said, or even thought, "I wish I'd paid more attention to Algebra." Perhaps there were times that it might have helped me, but it made so little sense to me, that I wouldn't even recognize when it would be required. Once, a friend who was good with math asked me "Didn't anyone ever explain Algebra to you using a circle?" and I told him I had no idea what he was talking about, and I still don't (I think it was a circle, I don't know, this stuff is totally alien to me).

OTOH, I ended up being self-employed, and I use BUSINESS MATH every single day. Calculating percentages, profit margins, interest rates, budgets, accounts receivable and collectible, etc. I'm really good at that type of math, and often do the work in my head as I'm driving. If I could have had that type of math in high school, it would have been helpful, and my grades would have been better without being dragged down by D's from a charitable teacher who must have realized what a hopeless Algebra dunce I am.

High school students need to be given the choice between Algebra/ Calc/ Trig, and Business Math. If a kid is on a Science/ Engineering track, then sure, let them take the Algebra and stuff. But if a kid is going to be doing most regular jobs, Business Math is going to be more useful, and is even useful in tracking your household economy. Algebra is something most people will seldom if ever use, but Business Math is something that EVERYBODY uses, every day.

Yeah, I feel like what you're asking for would have to be a more holistic thing, like the concept of rates of change could be covered in physics quite naturally alongside momentum/impulse.

I have a math minor so have taken through calc 3, abstract algebra, and quite a bit of matrix math. Like 90% of concepts from those classes wouldn't really help people in the world around them, not just "they won't use integrals daily" but rather they won't be taught in a way where they'll connect differentials to what they see in the world or news.

Now, Finland, they have the right idea. They're teaching classes on spotting disinformation and how to find trustable answers. That seems way more important to me and likely to have a higher impact.

I feel it's in a good spot. at least where I went to school.

Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, stats, trig. Calculus is offered but not required.