Finding X is Useful If You Are A Pirate

That's an old joke but it reminds me of a conversation I had in 2002 with Edith Smith [Ann Chamberlain], that bright and chatty former member of our 1959 Ushaw Moor form 4A.

She was asking me what the purpose of algebra was. Well it is useful for various professionals and technicians in their daily problem solving. No doubt NASA finds it very useful as well. I think it also helps in deciding whether to cross a bridge over a seething torrent of water and whether to risk sleeping in a bedroom surrounded by walls and a ceiling. 

Back in our day we were regarded as people with very few options if we did not have 4 GCE passes including English. Mathematics often helped to further increase the options. If you had those sort of qualifications the likes of the Midland Bank would invite you in for an interview. Working in a bank gave you some sense of status; arguably times have changed in that respect!

Without 'O levels' in 1960? No point trying to become a junior journalist with the Northern Echo. I can tell you. Mind you, eventually, in the end, I was better off in other directions and managed to get lots of paperwork certifying this and that; my wife thinks it could be used for toilet paper if we ever find ourselves short of it. She thinks there is no problem in certifying me even now.

Let me be clear: many people do not actually need to master advanced algebra to function well in the modern world but, and it is a big but, being good at it indicates significant intelligence; understandably employers like that.

Now where is that treasure.

WB