Whats It Good for?
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Engineering equipment on top of a technical drawing.You have probably heard someone ask at some time in your life, what is this stuff good for, anyway? when studying algebra. Maybe you wondered this too? But algebra is a crucial tool used in science, technology, business, construction, crime scene investigation, video games, and health related fields to name just some examples.  And did you know that much of the coding that makes the Internet run, as well as the encryption used to make sensitive transactions on the Internet more secure, use algebra? The applications are truly limitless and all around us in the modern world.

In this discussion activity, you will investigate the practical uses of algebra for your chosen profession or field of study.

Let’s begin our discussion:

Before your first post, please watch the video, Introduction to Mathematics in Technology, below (click image to open video [Video, 2:44 mins]):

screenshot of video

Introduction to Mathematics in Technology
Introduction to Math in Technology. Films On Demand. Films Media Group, 1998. Web. 1 Feb. 2015. <http://digital.films.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=8496&xtid=25685>.

Now, consider your chosen profession, area of study, or a subject you find particularly interesting. Then, using your textbook and/or the Internet, find a specific application of algebra or a formula related to your chosen topic. State the problem the algebra or formula is being applied to, including enough background information so it is clear to those reading your work what the situation is.

Show the solution to the problem with the intermediate steps of the solution process detailed. If the algebra involved is more complicated than what you are familiar or comfortable with at this point, just do the best you can and point out where in the application you are not quite clear.