WHAT IS ALGEBRA WHY DO WE NEED IT

WHAT IS ALGEBRA & WHY DO WE NEED IT? By Becca Lynch

What? • a type of mathematics • Associated with letters and symbols that are used to represent numbers and quantities • Dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating them • Serves as a building block to learn more advanced math

Effect = Positive? Is algebra’s effect actually positive? Yes How?

Let’s take a look…

Who uses it?

Scientists! • A basic understanding of classical physics • Biologists & biochemists • Knowledge about enzyme kinetics and membrane potentials

Business • Calculating which company has the best prices by using interest rates • Setting prices according to their desired profit margin • Marketing • Inventory management • Financial analysis

Artists! • In animation, Algebra is used for calculating how an object moves, rotates, and can be proportionately resized • Architecture • Linear perspective • Sculptures

Culinary Arts! • Measuring cups, teaspoons, tablespoons • Using fractions, multiplication, and division when changing the amounts in a recipe • Calculation proportions • Figuring out the cost the food should be sold for

Algebra in every day life

It’s all around us! From the house you live in, to the bridges and roads you drive on every day, Algebra was used to create them.

Adults use it too The average adult uses Algebra for financial planning, such as… • Interest rates • Determining loan payments For individuals who work out, Algebra is used to… • Determining their amount of body fat and body weight vs the weight of their muscles and bones • Calculating height, current body mass, and activity to find out which food to eat

…But is Algebra beneficial to me?

Even though I don’t know what I’m going to do as a future career, Algebra is applied to most jobs. If I choose a job that does not involve Algebra, I would still need a basic understanding for a multitude of events in my day to day life. So, yes! Algebra is extremely beneficial to my future.