Unpopular opinions

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@whodatbe123 I feel like that is a really popular one lol For me its probably that teaching programming in school instead of algebra would be more beneficial. Its easier for children to conseptualize variables as a bucket than the other way around, and they can do most of the same things as algebra. Where it would cause issues is when they need to learn higher maths and they have sit down and learn algebra properly. That being said, most people can find programming useful in their lives/jobs somehow while algebra beyond variables are a thing aren't used at all in daily life, even with me being an engineer.

I don't think it's an or statement (algebra or programming). I think it's an and statement (algebra and programming). Why not have both? I do agree that programming should be taught. But not at the expense of math. You need some very basic algebra to understand programming. Algebra teaches concepts such as variables and functions. To which both concepts are utilized in programming. One fair critique that can levied against the math taught in schools, is in regards to applied math. Schools should teach more applied math then theoretical math. For example: High schools should teach students how to solve equations involving compound interest. Compound interest pertains to loans, savings accounts, dividend investment, interest rates etc. A lot of people go into debt because they are math illiterate in the basic formulation of compound interest. That is where algebra in High schools should be focused on. In aplied math. Of course you can program compound interest in a computer. But how can a person program compound interest if they don't have some basic understanding of the algebra of variables and functions. I do agree that programming should be taught. But programming should be coupled with math for real world applications. Now, if you want to make it into an or statement. I'll rather programming be taught then one of these not very useful humanities or social science classes. STEM is arguably more important then humanities and social science. @zacharyw09264

@alephy I don't think it is an and statement since there just isn't enough time. You would wind up teaching both at the expense of both. And when it comes to algebra being necessary to teach programming, I think that is just an artifact of how programming was made. There is no reason you need algebra to understand what a variable is. And algebra functions and programming functions are so different, the only thing they have in common is the name, which would only lead to confusion if they were taught at the same time.

What are you talking about there isn't enough time? Kids take multiple subjects at school. Kids spend years in school. There's plenty of time. I don't buy that argument. A variable and a function are mathematical objects. In the most simplistic mathematical sense (not technical). If it has an = sign, it is a function. Though you are right. In a strict programming sense. It is not a function. In regards if you need algebra or not. Now that I think about it. It really depends on what you're trying to do. If you're designing game engines. You not also need to know regular algebra, but also matrix algebra. Utilize matrices to calculate points in (x, y, z). If you're trying to do model light rays hitting a sphere in a room via Monte Carlo simulations. Then you probably need to know matrix algebra and and some probability theory. If you're trying to model a black hole. Then you need to understand differential equations plus the physics on top of that. But if you're just making a rinky dink website. You don't need to know high level math. Some arithmetic and probably a little bit of algebra will suffice. What math do you need to know to program a certain task? It really depends on what a person is trying to program. That's pretty much it. @zacharyw09264