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comment by ButterflyEffect
ButterflyEffect  ·  4425 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Is Algebra Necessary?

"Of the 1.7 million bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2010, only 15,396 — less than 1 percent — were in mathematics."

While only that amount was in 'pure' mathematics, there are many other disciplines that require a good amount of mathematics. Engineering, statisticians, and many science, business, and economic oriented disciplines all require a good amount of math.

If we make algebra optional, then who is to stop people from doing the same to chemistry, or any other course really? I feel that eliminating one presents a slippery slope.

Third, if math is making people drop out then I feel that math isn't the true problem. It's students dealing with their failures, rising up to their shortcoming, and overcoming them as opposed to giving up.





user-inactivated  ·  4425 days ago  ·  link  ·  
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