[xxx this needs a college-algebra focus as well as a precalc focus — diffrent audiences. Or are they ... ? :)]

• The University requires it. Surely this is the most pressing reason. We all want to find fulfilling, well-paying work, and a college degree help us get there. But this begs the question of why universities agree that collega algebra matters in the first place.

• The specific computational skills may be useful later in life. [xxx revisit after having seen the text.] This may be the case for some people — but not for most.

• Math encourages precise thinking which is useful later in life. xxx now we're getting somewhere.

• Math courses teach us about an important component of the modern world. For me, this the most potent argument. Compare to history, art, political science, etc. as part of a liberal education.

John Kerl
July 29, 2005