by Kerry Kauffman

Created on: June 14, 2007   Last Updated: June 11, 2008

As a private high school math tutor, I get asked by my students all the time, "Why do I need this? When will I ever use this in real life?" These comments come from the students that are taking Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics or Calculus, rather than the students in basic mathematics. I usually tell them that most students will never use the higher level math classes per say. Does that mean I suggest students do not need to take those classes? No, because taking those classes helps students develop a different type of thinking and skill that basic mathematics does not.

Logic, analytical thinking, problem solving, are all types of skills learned taking the higher level math courses.
Now, I know some of you are thinking, "Hey wait a minute, people do use the higher level math they learn in high school". Yes, some people do. Take for instance an actuary. They deal with statistics all the time. Engineers use higher level mathematics. Physicists and chemists also use higher level algebra and in some cases Calculus. Architects will use geometry a lot.

What about the average person? I see many people in life, more than not, that do not use math above the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Fractions are needed to be known in instances such as cooking, when figuring out how to scale down a recipe. In the age of computers though, unless you are the one programming the computer, many of the complex math issues can be solved just by entering the numbers into the program and "Voila" the answer is there in a few seconds or quicker.

People enjoying two player strategy games like Chess, Othello, Checkers to name a few benefit from the knowledge obtained in taking a course in Combinatorial Game Theory. The course discusses and demonstrates the type of logical thinking, planning ahead type moves necessary to be successful in these types of games. Although not what many think of when discussing math because of very few numberical calculations are concerned, it's a logic type course that certainly benefits serious game players.

Even accountants, tax preparers, bankers, financial planners really rely on the computer to crank the numbers out for them. Cashiers even, rarely count change themselves anymore, they just put it all in the register and the amount of change is automatically calculated. So despite what appears to be a decreased actual use of math skills in every day life and in a lot of jobs because of the age of computers, gaining math knowledge that the higher level high school courses offer is important in becoming a well rounded thinker and problem solver.

Learn more about this author, Kerry Kauffman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.