Aleks - Did I pass the course?

[Thorne]

I have a friend who teaches algebra. She claims that it's SO important, and you need it constantly in everyday life. Um, me... I just haven't noticed it.

Some parts of my finance and accounting courses needed some very, very basic algebra - but, if you're not going for a business degree - whatever for?

Just my opinion.

It depends on your mental processes. I use basic algebra as a way to structure mental calculations and rapidly memorize certain classes of information. I've been doing it long enough now that it's completely automatic. (Yes, I'm a nerd. I'm also white. Pretty sure there is a song about that...)

Theoretically, I suppose someone could turn any math into a utility, be it Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, or even something as nuts as Fractals.

One of these days, I'm going to spend six months or a year putting the sum of my mind into reading about and learning advanced mathematics (starting back down at College Algebra to brush up and going up through Differential Equations and Linear Algebra) just to see if I can find a good utilitarian purpose for it.