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Math you need for real life

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I was that kid that always asked when I would need to use the math I was learning in the real world. I detested the sample problems in the text book called "real life application" because in High School I knew I would never be going into Engineering nor would my job be to find the optimal viewing location of a theater screen. So I asked what I would need the math for.

After being a working professional for about 5 years I now know what math I need in my life and what was important for me to learn... please note that the math I HATED the most (negatives) is no where on this list.

  • Simple math- addition, subtraction, division, multiplication... if you can't do these basic functions it's just embarrassing. Learn how to do big numbers quickly, without your fingers and without a calculator. People will be impressed if you quickly tell them that 305+874 is 1179.
  • Quick Fraction to Percentage change- and visa versa. Your math teacher did you a favor if when you see .25 you know it is 25% or 1/4th. Be able to say a quarter when you see 25% and etc. That is key.
  • Ratios- I can't even say how many times I use a ratio. I am constantly writing 27/35=X/21 type equations all over my notes. So important
  • Finally the most important thing is Percentages. Know how to do percent changes, raw percents, how to look at 2 numbers and know how to find the percentage. Oh man. No one cares that purchases went from 782 to 934 they want to know that purchases increased by 19%. I seriously think they should spend a whole year on percentages in math.
  • Also- Excel. If you have an advanced knowledge of Excel you will go far.
Supposedly, when I buy a house and need to start decorating and whatnot I'll be happy that I learned all that geometry and stuff; I'm sure that's true... but it's not needed for my job. And I'm a firm believer that if I excel at my job I'll get lots of money and my interior designer will be the one that is concerned with the surface area of my dining room and the area of the living room.

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J Hayley B said…
First of all - I am applying to be your interior decorator when you move out here. Can we do fun paint stuff in your apt?? The end.
June 13, 2011 at 10:14 AM
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