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[Tripon]

If you can't simplify the following operation, chances are the state won't let you graduate from community college:

Algebra problems like this one are at the heart of a dispute over the level of math deemed necessary to earn an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college. Failure to complete intermediate algebra has stumped tens of thousands of California community college students each year, keeping them in a limbo that has sparked increasing criticism of the state's (and much of the nation's) one-size-fits-all math requirement.

How necessary is intermediate algebra, a high school-level course on factoring trinomials, graphing exponential functions and memorizing formulas that most non-math or science students will rarely use in everyday life or for the rest of college? A growing number of educators have challenged this long-held gold standard of math in California, particularly at a time when two-year colleges are under increasing pressure to improve completion rates. More than 3 out of 4 community college students in California cannot pass the placement exam and are forced to take one, two or more semesters of remedial math. Discouraged or frustrated, most drop out before ever earning a degree.

”While the intent has been to raise achievement, the hidden underbelly of high algebra expectations has been swelling enrollment in college developmental (remedial) math," according to a widely cited 2015 report by Pamela Burdman published with LearningWorks and Policy Analysis for California Education. ”The vision of millions of college students spending time and money on high school material is an unsettling one to policymakers, parents, and students alike — even more so as research has revealed that these courses have no positive effects in terms of student success."

Numerous attempts across the state to provide more remedial help or additional tutoring have largely failed. Radically different approaches — focusing on statistics, computer science, data analysis and other curriculum more applicable to say, a political science or psychology major — have been scrutinized for lacking rigor and assurance they'd be accepted at a four-year university. Others argue that intermediate algebra is a necessary path for higher-paying science, engineering and math careers.

”You have math faculty who have been teaching for 35 years and passionately believe in intermediate algebra. And you have new, younger faculty that equally passionately believe in all the new experiments on 'how can we make students more successful?'" Walton said. ”And the trouble is, it often gets cast in terms of, 'watering down' the curriculum and quality."

Some schools, like Pierce College and College of the Canyons, have experimented with programs such as the Carnegie Foundation's Statway and those developed by the California Acceleration Project — courses in statistics and data analysis designed for majors not in math or science as a way to reach college-level quantitative reasoning without getting stuck in non-credit remedial courses or completing a traditional intermediate algebra course. Supporters of this approach have noted that students find the material more engaging — and more immediately useful in following political polls, analyzing sports data or understanding research methodology.

http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-intermediate-algebra-qa-20170630-htmlstory.html

Edit: Did it on paper, then checked my work using an online calculator.

https://www.symbolab.com/solver/pol...2}-25}{x^{2}+5x}\div\frac{xy+6x-5y-30}{5x-15}

 

[jasminlovesyoux]

Not gonna lie, it's been too long and I can't remember how to break down that equation. That said, college was the last time I ever did higher level math, so the fact I haven't needed to look at it or touch it in adult life tells me I don't need it.

 

[Bedameister]

I can't and I got a STEM degree hah

 

[always crazy bacon]

Someone find that web comic "If we can't solve this equation in the next five minutes we've lost the customer". Algebra, for 99.9% of people it has no real life uses outside of education.

 

[El Topo]

You think this is funny, but boy, let me tell you, there have been heated arguments about these kinds of things, even among mathematicians.
That said, math is a field of problem solving and abstract thinking that I would consider vital to any well-rounded education. That includes basic algebra.

 

[Chaos2Frozen]

People really should learn algebra regardless of what they even up doing in life.

It's like basic logic puzzle solving skills.

(Also the solution to that equation is not as hard as you might think)

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Someone find that web comic "If we can't solve this equation in the next five minutes we've lost the customer". Algebra, for 99.9% of people it has no real life uses outside of education.

I'm not sure how that's true. Unless you do nothing math related, being able to solve for a variable is incredibly important and should be taught to get into college.

 

[Toa TAK]

I can't do that.

And I've graduated community. Eff that.

 

[Old Gimlet Eyes]

Someone find that web comic "If we can't solve this equation in the next five minutes we've lost the customer". Algebra, for 99.9% of people it has no real life uses outside of education.

This x100.

 

[El Topo]

I can't do that.

And I've graduated community. Eff that.

...and that, folks, is how you end up with a tag about Thor 2: The Dark World.
(It's actually perfectly fine. It's not like most people need to ever use algebra in their daily life.)

 

[kami_sama]

Sorry, I think basic algebra is essential whatever the degree you're getting is.

Also, the solution to the problem is this one 99% sure:

Spoiler

5(x-3)/(x(y+6))

 

[Sheentak]

I have no idea what I'm looking at, no idea how to solve this.

 

[Machina]

Unless you're studying to become an astrophysicist, nobody needs that shit

 

[Gallbaro]

Not gonna lie, it's been too long and I can't remember how to break down that equation. That said, college was the last time I ever did higher level math, so the fact I haven't needed to look at it or touch it in adult life tells me I don't need it.

I did a BS, not BA, in econ and had some pretty hardcore statistics that we would have to solve by hand.

That was closer to 10 years ago and now it is just, wut?

How I technically run a engineering company and we never go past addition and subtraction, lol.

 

[FortuneFaded]

What happens if y = -6? #teachthecontroversy

 

[Chaos2Frozen]

Sorry, I think basic algebra is essential whatever the degree you're getting is.

Also, the solution to the problem is this one 99% sure:

Spoiler

5(x-3)/(x(y+6))

I can recognize the quadratic equations but the exact formula are hazy off the top of my head lol.

 

[Norwegian_Imposter]

Speaking from the point of view of a British university graduate, I have no idea how to solve that and algebra is a very us heavy leaning imo.

 

[Hashmal_Bringer_of_Order]

I knew how to do that in, like, high school, but since I haven't touched it since I've obviously forgotten. And I didn't need to touch that shit to get degrees in both law and Politics so...

 

[Vicetrailia]

I did a BS, not BA, in econ and had some pretty hardcore statistics that we would have to solve by hand.

That was closer to 10 years ago and now it is just, wut?

How I technically run a engineering company and we never go past addition and subtraction, lol.

If you don't use statistics you lose it fast. It's also one of those subjects that you can't learn on your own.

 

[FortuneFaded]

Speaking from the point of view of a British university graduate, I have no idea how to solve that and algebra is a very us heavy leaning imo.

This is GCSE level maths though so you should have been taught it at some point.

 

[ExplodingKetchup]

maybe? Some people are really bad with numbers but good at other things, so seems a bit harsh

 

[bachikarn]

You should def have to learn algebra, but the problem in the OP is unnecessarily hard I think. I can't remember the last time I've had to do that type of factorization. Maybe math competition in high school.

Edit: eh, maybe it isn't as hard as when I first looked at it. I know there can be some really crazy factorization problems. Still think it is unnecessary for a typical AA student. We should be teaching math, but for general students, they should have a little bit more focus on practicality.

 

[AlexMeloche]

Speaking from the point of view of a British university graduate, I have no idea how to solve that and algebra is a very us heavy leaning imo.

Not only in the US, in Canada too.

I knew how to do that in, like, high school, but since I haven't touched it since I've obviously forgotten.

I could solve it with a refresh on some stuff, but yeah... same here. Haven't done things like that since 10 years tho.

 

[Epsilon-delta]

Factor by grouping and it becomes trivial.

But yea, the debate between lack of rigor and usefulness of algebra has been going on for decades.

 

[GalacticToast]

People really should learn algebra regardless of what they even up doing in life.

As a grad student in a Speech Language Pathology program, that's gonna be a no from me.

 

[Sheentak]

What's nuts is I'm sure I was taught this but I have no recollection

 

[Relentless 757]

Someone find that web comic "If we can't solve this equation in the next five minutes we've lost the customer". Algebra, for 99.9% of people it has no real life uses outside of education.

I would like to begin by saying how empty a statement this is. 99.9% of anything you learn you won't ever use, at least in terms of actually applying what you know.

What you do use? Problem solving - it is essentially what you learn through college. Different types of problem solving based on field/major, but problem solving nonetheless. Knowing algebra makes an individual more rounded. Logic is pretty important, and I would say being pretty good at working algebra problems will easily make you a more logically sound person.

I should say that I am biased, though, I'm a CS and math double major. None of this shit I learn in math will be immediately useful, but damn if I don't feel like a brighter individual taking more math. I have noticed a categorical change in the way I think of the world, a change I think for the better as well.

 

[zashga]

Someone find that web comic "If we can't solve this equation in the next five minutes we've lost the customer". Algebra, for 99.9% of people it has no real life uses outside of education.

This sounds like a marketing guy who thinks he does the real work and the engineering is just "details." If you want to have a product worth selling, you definitely need someone on your team who can do basic math.

 

[Fugu]

I think algebra requirements are a good thing, and it's not because I think that algebra itself is particularly useful (...I do, but that's another story). Like most math you learn in high school, it's a lot less about the math itself and a lot more about getting you used to a mode of thinking that you probably wouldn't encounter naturally. The kind of thinking that you need in algebra -- grouping abstractions together and using multiple steps to simplify a complex problem -- is, in fact, incredibly useful in everyday life and is a skill that needs to be honed and tested.

You might think "oh, I don't use this shit now" and you'd be right in the literal sense, but chances are that the overwhelming majority of us were taught algebra and have subsequently carried that experience forward. Yes, that doesn't actually prove much in the absence of people who never learned algebra, but the fact that you can't do the equation now similarly doesn't prove anything. You learn about things like this in high school and whatnot for exposure and not necessarily so that you'll remember how to do them twenty years down the line.

 

[toohectic]

What happens if y = -6? #teachthecontroversy

 

[Toa TAK]

...and that, folks, is how you end up with a tag about Thor 2: The Dark World.
(It's actually perfectly fine. It's not like most people need to ever use algebra in their daily life.)

Why I'd outta...

 

[mclem]

Someone find that web comic "If we can't solve this equation in the next five minutes we've lost the customer". Algebra, for 99.9% of people it has no real life uses outside of education.

Algebra has tons of real life uses. They're just generally so abstracted that people who aren't familiar with it don't recognise it as algebra.

 

[DonShula]

What's nuts is I'm sure I was taught this but I have no recollection

Yep. I'm sure I could do this in high school or freshman year of college. And haven't thought about it since then. And haven't needed to.

 

[FortuneFaded]

Sorry, I think basic algebra is essential whatever the degree you're getting is.

Also, the solution to the problem is this one 99% sure:

Spoiler

5(x-3)/(x(y+6))

Not a complete answer though. I'd deduct marks

Spoiler

You have to specify that x is not equal to 0, -5,5 and y is not equal to -6

 

[WaffleTaco]

When I took Algebra in college everything was multiple choice question. Literally just plugging one of the answers into the question. Easiest math class ever.

 

[Lamel]

The point of college isn't necessarily job training. It's good to become educated in basic algebra ffs. Simplifying education to only what's useful in the workplace defeats the whole purpose. Hate that attitude.

 

[Eidan]

Been working for years. The last time I needed algebra was when I was studying for the GRE. I think energy would be better spent drilling home basic principles of personal finance to students.

 

[Xe4]

Someone find that web comic "If we can't solve this equation in the next five minutes we've lost the customer". Algebra, for 99.9% of people it has no real life uses outside of education.

Nor do 99% of things you covered in college, assuming you went to a liberal arts or business school. How does learning about history or literature help you in most cases? Answer: it doesn't.

Obligatory XKCD comic:

https://xkcd.com/1050/

College is about improving yourself and learning problem solving techniques more than anything else. Math is an important part of that. Not to say college algebra doesn't have heaps of problems, because it does. But every person should at least know some math before graduating.

Also, that image in the OP is super misleading. That would be a harder question (or even a bonus question) on the simplification section of a test or final. College algebra deals with all sorts of stuff, from solving simple equations to finding the roots of a polynomial to graphing in three dimensions.

 

[Toa TAK]

When I took Algebra in college everything was multiple choice question. Literally just plugging one of the answers into the question. Easiest math class ever.

S U P E R jealous.

 

[kswiston]

I had to relearn basic algebra 3-4 years back after not taking it for close to 15 years. None of the stuff covered in high school is hard, but if you don't remember the rules, you won't be able to solve those equations.

 

[Makai]

Someone find that web comic "If we can't solve this equation in the next five minutes we've lost the customer". Algebra, for 99.9% of people it has no real life uses outside of education.

You don't know if it will be helpful, but having a good grounding in diverse ideas is the point of liberal arts education. You will be better at solving unforeseen problems.

 

[GusBus]

I had to take requisite math courses in college (for a BA in English, no less) and while they were challenging (math was never my strong suit) they definitely challenged me to think in a different way. I wouldn't do away with them, even though they have very limited utility in daily life.

Having a basic appreciation for mathematics (and by extension the building blocks of science and physics) can help make you a more well rounded and thoughtful individual.

 

[Somnid]

Maybe 20 years ago, now we pretty much need to up the bar on math. Although, I completely disagree with the way it is taught and presented and this example is part of it. But if you don't know what polynomial functions look like and work your future is at risk from a computer model that requires just that.

 

[KSweeley]

I really wish this calculator existed when I was in high school taking algebra: https://education.ti.com/en/products/calculators/graphing-calculators/ti-nspire-cx-cas

Enter Values In Proper Notation

Integrated mathematics templates permit students to enter expressions and see math symbols, formulas and stacked fractions just as they are printed in textbooks and on the board.

The unique Chem Box feature lets students easily input chemical formulas and equations.

 

[Makai]

Problem in the OP isn't even hard, just long. Look the rules up if you don't remember, but you should definitely be able to simplify this by hand.

 

[Poeton]

I got

Spoiler

5(x - 3) / x(y + 6)

With that being said, math is super important in my opinion. At the same time I am torn on if everyone should have to at least pass college algebra to earn a degree. On the one hand it shows a certain level of intelligence but on the other not everyone can do maths and they are still highly intelligent.

 

[nicoga3000]

I had to take requisite math courses in college (for a BA in English, no less) and while they were challenging (math was never my strong suit) they definitely challenged me to think in a different way. I wouldn't do away with them, even though they have very limited utility in daily life.

Having a basic appreciation for mathematics (and by extension the building blocks of science and physics) can only serve to make you a more well rounded and thoughtful individual.

This was what I wanted to say. You may not be able to solve the equation correctly, but I believe you should have an idea on how to solve it. Critical thinking and all that jazz.

 

[zeemumu]

You can take an (x-5) out of the left one and flip the other one upside down and then multiply them together. That's as far as I cared to go in solving it.

 

[D4Danger]

I know how to ask the internet to solve my problems. I feel like I'm ahead of the curve.

 

[always crazy bacon]

You are just towing the education company line and I'm guaranteed that the defence force are actually good at algebra. Real life, if you actually need it, "there's an App for that".