Description: Science and maths tutor Daniel, shares with us in his blog article how Algebra is more useful than most people think.
Of all the different topics you come across in maths, few are as strange as algebra.
Students often struggle to engage with it, and I understand why – if this is maths, what are all these letters doing here?!
However, as abstract and counterintuitive as it may seem, algebra is essential not just in maths but also in life.
In this article, we will look at some applications of algebra in the real world and hopefully develop an understanding of why it’s important to persevere with this tricky topic in maths.
Buildings and Bridges
Imagine a world without bridges, skyscrapers, or even simple homes – thanks to algebra, this is not our reality.
The structural integrity of these constructions relies heavily on algebraic calculations.
Engineers and architects use algebra to determine the correct dimensions and support structures of buildings.
By applying algebraic equations, they can test how well different designs and methods of building will work for a project before selecting one that is safe, stable, and cost-effective.
For instance, the calculations for load-bearing beams in a bridge involve solving algebraic equations to determine the right materials and dimensions needed to support weight and withstand environmental stresses.
Money Money Money
According to Albert Einstein, the 8th wonder of the world isn’t the International Space Station, the Hoover Dam, or any other marvellous feat of engineering; it is compound interest.
Compound interest is the reason you can invest a relatively small sum and retire a millionaire 60 years later, and we understand it through the lens of algebra.
The compound interest formula is an algebraic equation that tells how much money will grow when invested and is used across the world, from boardrooms at the biggest banks to the kitchen table at home.
This piece of algebra is incredibly important to help people understand their finances, giving them the ability to buy that house or pay for that holiday knowing that they’re prepared for those rainy days.
Algorithm and Algebra
In our digital age, we all make use of algebra daily, often from the second we wake up.
The algorithms that your smartphone requires to function are all based on algebraic equations and manipulations, with software engineers being highly trained in algebra during their studies.
To handle the vast amounts of data we have access to today, your phone or computer will have a range of sorting algorithms built in to increase the efficiency of data flow – these all heavily depend on algebraic manipulation.
Without algebra, all the systems we rely on so heavily in daily life would cease to function, leaving us in a world without smartphones and tablets (although some parents may think this would be a good thing!)
It’s a Numbers Game
The applications of algebra stretch far beyond the academic world, with it being increasingly used in sports analytics.
By using algebraic methods, sports teams can evaluate their players based on a wide range of factors, calculating performance metrics that are used for measuring efficiency and overall contribution to the team.
The Player Efficiency Rating in basketball is an example of this, using several algebraic operations to balance positive statistics such as points scored and assists with more negative points such as turnovers and misses.
Algebra allows sports teams to transform raw data into actionable intelligence that their coaches can use to maximize the performance of the team and win that all-important game.
Final Note
Algebra is much more than just letters on a worksheet designed to confuse students; it’s a language for describing processes and phenomena that can be used for anything.
The real beauty of algebra is that once you put together an equation with sound logic, it will hold for any and every number, making it an indispensable tool for solving problems.
It is a strange concept at first, but once you get the hang of it, the possibilities truly are endless.
So, next time you’re solving a problem in class, remember you’re not just solving for x – you’re unlocking a whole new world.
By tutor Daniel. Contact Us.