Is maths a waste of time?

Yahew · 27-11-2011 11:46PM

Robert McGrath wrote: »

For what it's worth, I got an A1 in Honours Maths in the leaving and have a Maths degree as well, so this is not a bitter "it was toooooo haaaaard!" rant ...

Whatever, dude. Sure.

oppenheimer1 · 27-11-2011 11:49PM

El Pr0n wrote: »

Most people wouldn't know what they really want to do coming out of school though. So if someone does maths in school, goes and does a non-mathematical college course or anything else, and then realises ten years later they'd like to study maths, they'll be pretty pleased realising they already know some basic calculus and algebra.

Also, being exposed to some of the more abstract concepts in school is the first, maybe only, time a teenager would get to hear that stuff. I'm in my final year of a theoretical physics course at the moment and I don't think I'd be interested in this stuff if I didn't get to see the basics in school.

Maths in Irish schools is very basic. It used to be more challenging, just have a look at some LC papers from the 80's.

I very much doubt the OP's story is genuine and is just another BS merchant. That said it is possible to get entry to college without second level maths. This is only for mature students and they would have had to demonstrate ability to the admissions office.

And for that reason I think the story is bollocks.

somefeen · 28-11-2011 12:07AM

I'll admit im being abit of a piss taker on this thread but the story is true.

I didnt do the leaving cert at all. I got into the degree by having relevant work experience and a PLC course which involved no maths beyond multiplications

Yahew · 28-11-2011 12:08AM

Is the PLC a LC equivalent?

retalivity · 28-11-2011 12:10AM

jc foundation math and 'i have a lab coat and everything'

its not a college you're in, its an institution.

Maths is paramount over everything else. Out of a year of 120 people, i was one of only 17 who done honours maths. And in the years later, giving grinds to people in higher, but moreso ordinary level, i couldnt believe the complete lack of understanding that these people had. I taught a guy who dropped out a few months before the lc as he found OL maths too tough and would never need it. He became a carpenter, and failed his apprenticeship as he was unable to measure.

rather than having extra maths classes, people should be taught common sense daily

somefeen · 28-11-2011 12:13AM

Yahew wrote: »

Is the PLC a LC equivalent?

It was fetac level 5.
Im doing my degree in the UK to.

somefeen · 28-11-2011 12:16AM

retalivity wrote: »

jc foundation math and 'i have a lab coat and everything'

its not a college you're in, its an institution.

Maths is paramount over everything else. Out of a year of 120 people, i was one of only 17 who done honours maths. And in the years later, giving grinds to people in higher, but moreso ordinary level, i couldnt believe the complete lack of understanding that these people had. I taught a guy who dropped out a few months before the lc as he found OL maths too tough and would never need it. He became a carpenter, and failed his apprenticeship as he was unable to measure.

rather than having extra maths classes, people should be taught common sense daily

But people can measure without doing any ordinary level maths.

Fresh Pots · 28-11-2011 12:18AM

somefeen wrote: »

I think so, well the stuff I was taught in school was. I only have experience of it upto the Junior cert and I did foundation level.

But I think its easy to learn when you need to and if you can see a practical application for it. Why should people who don't do well at maths be excluded from college courses that are maths heavy.

Btw Im now doing a college course that involves alot of physics, maths, statistics and chemistry equations so thats what Im basing my opinion on.

Your argument doesn't add up to me!

Yahew · 28-11-2011 12:18AM

somefeen wrote: »

But people can measure without doing any ordinary level maths.

Measure what? Without naming the institution can you name the course you are doing?

Daniel S · 28-11-2011 12:19AM

retalivity wrote: »

jc foundation math and 'i have a lab coat and everything'

its not a college you're in, its an institution.

Maths is paramount over everything else. Out of a year of 120 people, i was one of only 17 who done honours maths. And in the years later, giving grinds to people in higher, but moreso ordinary level, i couldnt believe the complete lack of understanding that these people had. I taught a guy who dropped out a few months before the lc as he found OL maths too tough and would never need it. He became a carpenter, and failed his apprenticeship as he was unable to measure.

rather than having extra maths classes, people should be taught common sense daily

I think you spend too much time doing mathematics homework.

/Grammar Nazism.

somefeen · 28-11-2011 12:23AM

Yahew wrote: »

Measure what? Without naming the institution can you name the course you are doing?

I think it would actually be very easy to recognise my institution if i told you the course

retalivity · 28-11-2011 12:26AM

Possibly.

Plus, im lazy. and drunk.

Podge_irl · 28-11-2011 02:27AM

muppetkiller wrote: »

It sounds like you took on Computer Science/Physics from your Subject lists but when I did that course we were proving things like einstein's theory of relativity was wrong...

No you weren't...

yawha · 28-11-2011 04:31AM

somefeen wrote: »

It was fetac level 5.
Im doing my degree in the UK to.

Oxford?

Is maths a waste of time?

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