Thread: Knew I should have payed attention in maths class

Originally Posted by bonox

lovely work. You should take note that the chap in the article says he didn't pass high school algebra either

Most Likely failed English also.

Originally Posted by Phil Spencer

Most Likely failed English also.

really? I thought it read very well. The authors use of suitable punctuation was particularly pleasing.

Any idea what the language and maths skills were of the people who built st paul's or the parthenon? I'm not sure either were a pre-requisite for good mechanical skills; were they?

Originally Posted by JillB

The deadest of all languages is Latin. I absolutely hated it, but the Nuns insisted it be pursued.

Have to disagree Jill!!

I did not learn a second language at school but have always had an interest in words and language. I srudied linguistics and have found it extremely useful at times.I have also developed an appreciation for the influence of Latin on so many languages.

It is not a dead languge . It lives on the English we speak.

As for Maths, I found this a refreshing reminder of my days doing technical drawing at school. This is another subject that I have made very good use of from time to time.

Mathematical relationships in geometry are facinating. I have always said " Give me a straight edge.a pencil and a pair of compasses and I can draw anything geometrical."

Maths is the most useful subject known to man. But its techniques and skills are obscure to most people. But it is fortunate that a small percentage of the population both enjoy and understand the subject because without it we would not have any modern society. In particular we would not have and modern tools or machinery. In fact if you could by some magic remove all the products and results of mathematics from your life you would be found sitting naked in the dark on the dirt, in the place where your workshop used to be.

Originally Posted by chook

In fact if you could by some magic remove all the products and results of mathematics from your life you would be found sitting naked in the dark on the dirt, in the place where your workshop used to be.

Fair go - some might be wearing skins to keep warm, next to a fire started with flint rocks, playing music on the bongo's and carving kids toys using stone and bronze tools.

As an apprentice carpenter I was required to work out an entire roof including timber lengths and cut angles. All on paper using a ruler pencil and compass.

I can see similarities in the way both are projected. This makes it easier for me to follow and understand how it is done.

I have also learnt a new way to cut on the bandsaw.

Originally Posted by chook

In particular we would not have and modern tools or machinery.

Nah the Chinese would just copy something

Originally Posted by bonox

Fair go - some might be wearing skins to keep warm, next to a fire started with flint rocks, playing music on the bongo's and carving kids toys using stone and bronze tools.

It is true what you say. Some people would find a way to make life more comfortable. And as soon as they had found a way to keep dry and warm they would start thinking about how to improve things even more and eventually we would return to mathematics.

But there is a lot of truth in what you say. The cabinet makers and builders of years long past made the most exquisite objects using tools which were by modern standards, very crude. Modern technology does not really allow us to make better objects but it does do 2 things
1. I takes a lot of the sheer physical effort out of the tasks.
2. It gives the opportunity to make beautiful things to a wider range of people.
3. It speeds the process up immeasurably.

And there is one function of mathematics that every member of this forum has put to good use at one time or another. Which of use has not sat in the kitchen with some machinery catalog and a pencil and paper trying to figure out the fastest way to buy some new toy?

Originally Posted by Chesand

Did it willingly for 5 years at High School but in retrospect did not serve much purpose.

Good to know though if you want to understand what the lawyers are on about with their 'ipso facto " and "decree nisi" et al. And to know also the medical jargon with prescriptions like "qid" and "prn".

'corse most of us don't wanta know anyway

Just as easy to write 4 times daily or As needed.
For the average Joe in the street, Latin serves no real purpose.