<p>Usually its a pre requisite, but unlike other subjects you forget almost all of math classes in a year or two and its usually not used in your non math classes, so why do we take math?</p>
<p>Because it is interesting and important to your understanding of our world!</p>
<p>Many of the science-based majors would say the same thing about pre-req liberal arts courses.</p>
<p>And I wouldn't disagree.</p>
<p>In my opinion, it's part of being an educated person. Everyone should konw what an intergral represents... even liberal arts/social science/humanities/etc majors. It's the same reason why I think it's important for engineering/science/math/etc majors to take somewhat intensive history, arts, etc courses. It's broadens your views and shows that you're a well rounded student.</p>
<p>You need math for a variety of things from balancing your checkbook to figuring out if a car dealer is ripping you off. Basic math skills are very important. I'm not saying that you need Calculus if you're majoring in English but a good Algebra or Trig class will help you be more well-rounded. And just like ThinMan said, many people majoring in math-related areas (engineering, accounting, etc) probably think that English or a foreign language are wastes of time too.</p>
<p>extensive levels of ANY course can be perceived as completely useless - - and IS unless you do focus on gaining from the experience of the class..not just the actual info</p>
<p>Obviously it's required because the people who design the curriculum have it out for my GPA.</p>
<p>I don't know...I, however, DO know that I hate math and I'm mathematically retarded...</p>
<p>I don't forget math after a year or two. It needs brushing up obviously, but you always retain the basic concepts. Otherwise, you'd never be able to do the upper-year math courses since you'd always be forgetting the basics.</p>
<p>Learning math teaches a different way to think imo. Logic games/questions are very interesting! or it might just be that I'm a really big nerd >.<.</p>
<p>i think its not what you really learn in math classes that's important. rather, its how it trains your brain to think, and basicaly always pushes it to think further and such so that your brain wont deprove quickly.</p>
<p>Once you learn Linear Algebra (if you get that far), you'll understand. I was ticked off that I hadn't learned linear algebra in high school rather memorizing the stupid quadratic formula! Linear algebra basically treats all systems of equations as matrices, making solving equations with multiple variables a piece of cake!</p>
<p>Well, if you are not going to do any Math related jobs in the future, basic understandings of simple math will suffice. Of course, the more you learn, the better you are. It is not that you have to know Calculus to make your living possible. As for those who are learning Calculus like me, I feel Cal is fun but useless right now. I mean there are very few applications of Cal that one will encounter everyday. It is not that you have to calculate the arc of the rainbow every time it shows up. </p>
<p>People only use about 15% of the things they learn from school. So not knowing a lot of hardcore Math is not an issue. You can totally discard it to the trash can if you know you will not regret in the future. </p>
<p>My 2 cents. :)</p>
<p>Whenever I think about this question, it always reminds me of what my World History professor told us...</p>
<p>"I never understood math. I always said that I'd never have to use it...</p>
<p>And I was right."</p>
<p>There is no point. It's just used as a torture device. :)</p>
<p>for most humanities and social science majors, statistics are absolutely essential. no need for calculus etc for these non-math/hard science people, but some rudimentary math is required.</p>
<p>Because math is elegant, beautiful, and pure. Life is ruled by math. Even if one doesn't like math, the problem solving skills that one can obtain from studying math are an incredible life-long asset. Besides, how can you not have fun doing math? Everything is so interesting, and, personally, when I solve a complicated problem I feel so proud and happy ( its an amazing feeling). Algebra, trig, calculus, discrete, statistics, number theory, probabilistic etc etc, I only wish there was more time for math.</p>
<p>There's no point in taking math past algebra.</p>
<p>^Thats like saying there's no point in taking english once you've learned to read. Math is a never ending learning process, that's why its so beautiful. It is truly only limited by ones lack of desire to learn it.</p>