I'm taking mechanical engineering and I'll say calculus and algebra are EXTREMELY important.
I think people underestimate the importance of calculus and algebra. I am a sophomore now and I am beginning to see just how
crucial calculus is to practically everything is in our daily lives. Calculus is used to figure out pipe systems, pistons, strains in materials and how materials act in real life. Essentially the buildings that you live in, the pipes that supply you water, the cars you drive and more (I still have two and a half years left) all have a basis in calculus to calculate what the most effective and efficient design is for the materials. How the materials are shaped, how much power is supplied to them, how efficient they are, what thickness the materials are, all have a basis in calculus.
I think most people underestimate the importance of calculus because most people (from where I live at least) are interested in business, law, politics, and becoming a doctor.
Quote: (02-13-2012 05:05 PM)Andreas Wrote:
My maths teacher told me that in maths, algebra, diferentiation/integration (my biggest nightmare), logarithms and other bullshit don't really sharpen your analytical skills. He says that trigonometry and geometry helps people to think fast and analyse better.
On philosophy, in the past there were schools that studied only this subject. Why don't they exist anymore?
I disagree completely. I have found it to be the exact opposite. When I started taking classes that used all the "bullshit" you talked about, it forced me to think about stuff in a completely different way. My statics and dynamics class, alone, was an eye opening experience. Whereas trigonometry and geometry is more of finding how lengths and angles relate and taking the numbers for that to apply the "bullshit" to.