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Alexandra Boeva

Mr. Butler

Literacy

19 January 2018

High School Students Need To Finish Algebra To Graduate

Algebra is unquestionably one of the most important subjects that you can take in

school. Yet Michigan State university amongst others has cut it out of their curriculum. This

is wrong because algebra doesn’t just help you with your education. Algebra should be

included in high schools because it helps you land high profile jobs, develop your algebraic

and logical reasoning, and manage your finances more effectively.

There is no doubt that algebra is necessary as a basic skill in many jobs. Those who

believe otherwise say that humanitarian jobs don’t require math. This in an understandable

concern however STEM jobs pay more than humanitarian ones. For example CNBC states

“Math, science skills add up to more job opportunities ...the top 10 best jobs—based on work

environment, income, job outlook, stress and other factors—call for backgrounds in those

two fields...”.(O'Brien) This shows that jobs with mathematical skills are superior to those

who don’t require them. Furthemore you can get a better work environment, more pay, and

less stress in jobs that require mathematics. Secondly Business Insider states that “Students

studying science or math in college have a higher employment rate and salary than other

majors after graduation, according to a new report from the Department of Education.” This

shows that when university ends and the search for stability starts then having a degree in a

STEM field helps. If you want a stable career and job, mathematics is necessary. In

conclusion algebra is a necessary skill in obtaining many good jobs.

There is no doubt that algebra helps improve your abstract reasoning. Those who say

otherwise say that many different more exciting things can help with our abstract reasoning
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like puzzles and games. That is an understandable point, however they can’t be played in

school and even if they could be they aren't as effective. For example a study done by the

NCBI states that “On average, girls were more accurate than boys, and the participants in the

7th grade of primary school were less accurate than those in the 1st and 2nd grade of

secondary school, while those in the 8th grade were less accurate than the students in the 2nd

grade of secondary school.”. (“Development of abstract mathematical reasoning: the case of

algebra”) This shows that students that have taken Algebra courses think more abstractly.

However, developing abstract reasoning takes a long time to develop, and it takes a lot of

repetition. The more you do algebra everyday the more your abstract reasoning will grow. In

addition, EdSource states “Educators believe that math, in general, helps students think

logically. Algebra bolsters these logic skills and introduces abstract thinking”. (“Why It Is

Important To Learn Algebra”) This shows that algebra is a fundamental skill that improves

your reasoning. Furthermore even teachers and experts think that algebra is necessary. In

other words algebra helps you increase your algebraic, abstract, and symbolic reasoning.

There is no doubt that algebra helps your money management skills. Those who

believe otherwise say that you could take financial classes instead of algebra. That is an

understandable argument, however, why take extra courses when algebra helps you in

finances and reasoning. For example Business Insider states”If you’re 20 years old now and

you let your money grow for the next 50 years, at 12% yield, your $100 invested today

becomes $28,900. That’s also an amazing result....the most powerful force in the universe,

the one math formula to rule them all, compound interest.” This shows that a formula found

in Algebra helps you find out how much something will cost in the future. Furthermore these

formulas can help you know if you are being scammed. Furthermore since these equations

are introduced in algebra you are taught how to solve them as well. This shows that without

algebra you would be unable to solve the equations you need to manage your money.
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Subsequently if you do not know how to solve the equation then you will not be able to use it

when you need to. To sum up algebra is undoubtedly necessary to manage your money

effectively.

In conclusion the evidence I have presented undoubtedly shows that algebra is an

invaluable and helpful life skill. It helps you obtain and maintain better jobs. Moreover it

helps you develop your brain, by thinking algebraically, logically, and develop problem

solving skills. Furthermore it helps you manage your money more effectively. Teachers

please include algebra in your curriculums.

Works Cited

“Algebra No More.” Michigan State Drops College Algebra Requirement,

www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/07/06/michigan-state-drops-college-algebra-

requirement.
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“Innovative Educator.” Practical Money Skills,

www.practicalmoneyskills.com/teach/innovative_educator/maggie_robles.

O'Brien, Sarah, and special to CNBC.com. “10 Profitable Reasons to Major in Math or

Science.” CNBC, CNBC, 16 June 2015, https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/15/math-

science-skills-add-up-to-more-job-opportunities-survey.html

Weissmann, Jordan. “Here's How Little Math Americans Actually Use at Work.” The

Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 24 Apr. 2013,

www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/04/heres-how-little-math-americans-

actually-use-at-work/275260/.

Susac, Anna. “Development of abstract mathematical reasoning: the case of algebra” NCBI,

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4151197/

Jacobs, Peters. “Science And Math Majors Earn The Most Money After Graduation”

Business Insider, Jacob, Peters. http://www.businessinsider.com/stem-majors-earn-a-

lot-more-money-after-graduation-2014-7

“Why It Is Important To Learn Algebra” EdSoucre, https://edsource.org/wp-

content/publications/pub_algebra_qa_final.pdf

Michael. “FORMER GOLDMAN BANKER: Learn The Formula For Watching Wealth Grow

Over Time” Business Insider