Why do colleges  require you to know college algebra etc... when it does not pertain to your major?
354620
Well when you go to sell a bunch a paintings you should be able to add up how much money you are going to make.
208157
The "seemingly pointless" aspects of Alg 1 and 2. huh?  Determined by whom?  You?  When you get to med school and something is difficult, will you also deem it "seemingly pointless"?  Your attitude is self serving, like that of many students today. They ask "when am I ever going to use this?"  The answer is "If you don't learn it, you'll never use it"  Mathematics is nothing more that the relationship between numbers. Some of the relationships are simple, some complex. Like the biological pathways, Krebs cycle, hormone feedback loops.  If your mind hasn't been trained to figure out the complexities of algebra 2, you'll never cut it in med school when they throw the real hard stuff at you.
387453
Well, I don't know what you would condider "good, solid reasons". The most simplistic one, which you just aren't going to believe until you've experienced more life, is the simple fact that the average person uses (or needs) basic Algebraic priniciples on a regular basis... no matter what the job or situation.  It's not just something used by scientists, engineers and mathematicians.\n\nSince college is considered "higher education", the expectation should be that an individual entering such an institution should have a general comprehension of a basic concept.\n\nBetter yet... when you go to college, you have to PAY for what they teach you.  Some schools charge upwards of $700 per unit... and most math classes are around 3 units.  If you can get the information for FREE in middle/high school, why pay $2100 for it?  Is that a good enough, solid enough reason?
116359
Actually, perhaps you need to blaze your own way. The university that I did my undergrad at had a "make your own" degree program. You still had to satisfy basic requirements, but you could actually make your own, with approval from the college whose umbrella it fell under. Also, I suggest that NO ONE declares a major until their sophomore or even junior year. Get your core out of the way. The point of core classes is to introduce you to new things. It is NOT to teach you the basics; you should have gotten that in gradeschool. That is why you have to take things like history, art, sociology, science, math, english, foreign language, etc. for your core. It is to introduce you to new and useful fields that you might find appetizing.
800592
Don't worry about it, read what the prof has to say about it, and make your next one better. You wouldn't need college if you already knew it all.
381282
For an accounting degree, the number of required math courses really depends on the school you go to.\n\nWhere I went, there were only two required math courses, one was basic calculus and the other was random.\n\nWhile you don't need to know much beyond addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (and even then we have computers and calculators to do most of the actual work), the ability to understand how the numbers in the income statement or balance sheet relate to each other is very important.\n\nIn short, math itself is not that important, but understanding the relationships between different elements is.
711748
Personally I would take Trig when I had time to devote to it. I took College Algebra, Chemistry, and Trig all at once and I have to tell you, trig never made any sense to me.
380170
math is an excellent background for many different careers.  first of all, majoring in math gives your thinking structure.  it shows your future employer that you know how to think critically, learn complex concepts, and apply rigor to your creative process.  also math is the basis of ability in seemingly unrelated areas such as art and music.  in terms of actual jobs, relevant careers include financial analysis, actuary, computer science/programming, national security, marketing, and dozens of others.  if you do well in math, you will be able to get a job.
115372
Don't believe it when people tell you that you don't need to know geometry or algebra.  Depending on what you do in your life you may never have to prove that angles A and B are the same and you may never have to solve for X, but that doesn't mean that algebra and geometry aren't useful.\n\nThe purpose of learning math isn't so much to know math itself (although for some that's essential).  It's more about teaching you how to think.  Studying math helps you to think logically and dispassionately.  That can serve you well in life.\n\nAlso, algebra and geometry teach you how to think abstractly.  People who can't think abstractly tend to be very limited in their thinking and in their lives in general.  If everything you think about has to be concrete and obvious, you are going to be a very narrow person.\n\nIn my opinion, passing basic algebra should be an exit requirement for high school.
287178
You probably do better than you let on. Think of it this way: math is often called "the language of science" because it's one representation of how scientific principles work. When you do a math problem, you're really just seeing the numbers *show* *why* the principle/concept works.\n\nIn elementary school, you were doing basic algebra. Yes, I said "elementary school." Here's why:\n\nIn algebra, you often have to "solve for x" with such equations as "5 + x = 8." In elementary school, you had "5 + O (a circle) = 8" and were asked to fill in the circle with the correct number. Don't let the names of the areas of math dissuade you from thinking you can do it, OK?\n\nBut, if you're so inclined, I'm sure there are very general math and science classes you can take in college. I think most schools have general education requirements for graduation - i.e. you have to take a certain number of credit hours in all general subject areas, so you probably wouldn't have to take more than 1 class each of math or science. However, that depends on the school.
940488
It varies among people.  Some folks are ready to roll right out of high school; others have had enough of the academic life and want to see something of how the real world works before diving back into academia.  One is likely to find that the real world is rather cruel to people without college degrees, and that may help motivate one to head back to school.
873538
COLLEG ALGEBRA!  Yep it had to be a math class.  I was never good at math in high school so, I new I would not be good at it in college.  Did I pass or drop it.  I did neither on at first.  I failed it.  I took the class over in hopes that I could raise my grade atleast by 1 letter but, that didn't seem to happen.  I ended up dropping it the second go around.
186359
If you like math, it's great. If you've taken calculus in high school, and found it easy and fun, then you'll probably like college math, though there are many different kinds of math you can major in.
1042257
Depends on what you want to do.\n\nSome professions require a univesrity education (physician, attorney).\n\nOthers don't require it, but universities have convinced people that they do. (Management).\n\nSince people believe a college degree is important, you may lose opportunities if you don't have one.  BUT, there are successful people in many fields who don't have one.  (Bill Gates dropped out of college).\n\nI have to add a response to theycallmewendy's point about not hiring for specific areas.  That's just WRONG.  I have a degree in chemistry and know peers who are computer programmers.  Heck my wife is a computer programmer and her degree is in PSYCHOLOGY.\nProgramming is in fact one field where they value experience over what the diploma says.\nSome fields aren't so open (pharmaceutical manufacturing for instance).  At times it's understanable.\n\nAnyway, a university education should be a personal choice.  Not one forced on you by college deans who want to expand their fiefdoms.
124660
Math.  Why do we need to know half of the things they teach us in it???
18619
I'm afraid I have to agree with RockyQA, but there is much more to it than that. Most education majors in college are only required to take one or two math and science classes as part of their general education requirements. That hardly qualifies them to teach the subject. I believe that because of this requirement many education majors who are not interested in math and science are more attracted to the major. Finally, since teachers are paid so poorly in this country, the US, people who have math and science skills are much more likely to go into science and engineering professions where their starting pay out of college may be two or three times higher than that for teachers. Is it any wonder there is a problem?\n\nThe other factor that is also to blame is that many parents don't understand math and science either. If kids don't see their parents having an interest in the subject they are much less likely to find it appealing. Then there is the large group of parents who are actively hostile toward science because they believe it conflicts with their religious beliefs. This doesn't help either because the kids often come to school with a closed mind.
286725
If you complete an algebra course, you learn how to solve problems when not all the numbers are there for you.\n\nYou will also learn to notice patterns and develop more logical thinking skills.