By: Jackie Cooke Why Learn Math?

Math is Useful  Mathematical problems abound in daily life  Mathematical proficiency is required for many jobs  Mathematics is essential for science, engineering, and research

Math is Interesting  The accomplishments of mathematics stand alongside great literature, art and music as cultural triumphs that all educated persons should be able to appreciate  Doing mathematics teaches patterns of problem-solving and insight that transfer to other disciplines

Math is Important  A mathematically informed citizenry will make better economic and political decisions  Mathematical proof teaches skills in rigor, argumentation and persuasion that are useful skills for life

Studying Math in High School Affects Future Education

Level of Education Effects Your Life Choices

Jobs Requiring Math Pay Better

A Brief Look at OR

A Brief Look at WA

A Brief Look at CA

A Brief Look at the Bottom-Ranked State

A Brief Look at the Top-Ranked State

So Why Learn Math? I don’t want to convince you that mathematics is useful. It is, but utility is not the only criterion for value to humanity. Above all, I want to convince you that mathematics is beautiful, surprising, enjoyable, and interesting. In fact, mathematics is the closest that we humans get to true magic. How else to describe the patterns in our heads that — by some mysterious agency — capture patterns of the universe around us? Mathematics connects ideas that otherwise seem totally unrelated, revealing deep similarities that subsequently show up in nature. Ian Stewart

Donald in Mathmagic Land: