Algebra in Everyday Life

Almost every student exclaims “I’m never going to use this math in real life!” while solving
algebraic equations. Isn’t it? However, this is not always the situation. We often see people
using algebra in most aspects of daily life; for example- the people in the market make use of
algebraic operations to calculate profit and loss incurred. Just because we do not see any “X”
or “Y” does not mean that algebra has failed to prove its existence; still, the real-life examples
of algebra are uncountable. This precise and concise mathematical language entwines in a
beautiful way with almost all other subjects and even daily life.

The word “Algebra” comes from the Arabic word “al jabr,” which translates to “reunion of
broken parts.” Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, a 9th-century Persian mathematician,
geographer, and astronomer, is regarded as “the father of algebra.”
Let’s look into the examples of algebra in everyday life.

1. Early Life
In the early stages of development, an infant makes use of algebra to calculate trajectories and
you might be surprised to know how! A 16-week baby is able to assess the direction of an
object approaching and is even able to determine the position where the object will land.
Babies easily estimate the distance between them and the toy and are also able to track the
objects. What do you think is playing a role here? Of course, it’s Algebra! Despite the fact that
the infants have no theoretical knowledge of the algebraic operations, yet they are able to
make efficient use of it.

2. Professional Advancement
In whatever field you want to strive ahead, algebra is going to be needed. When a student goes
from school to college, chances are that algebra will find a way in whatever subject a student
opts. Most of the times, physical and chemical sciences employ the basics of algebraic
equations. In the case of computer sciences, the algorithms are based on the algebraic
operations only. Moreover, algebra is involved in the field of art and architecture to calculate
correct proportions so as to put forth a masterpiece. Basic knowledge about the algebraic
operations also prepares a person for the work front.
3. Morning Routine
Right from the time a person wakes up in the morning, algebra comes into play. Take for
example- a person has a meeting in the morning, what is that person likely to do? He/she will
set up an alarm for waking up in the morning to get ready and assemble all the essential
documents. What actually is happening here? The person knowingly or unknowingly makes
use of algebra to calculate the time required to bathe, have breakfast or collect coffee, gather
all important paperwork, and reach the office on time. Now, this particular situation involves
time, money, and distance and their accurate calculations to make it to the meeting on time.

4. Making It To The Trash Can

How do you think you make a perfect shot at the trash can? Yes, you guessed it right! You
apply algebra in this case as well. While aiming at the trash can, you unconsciously calculate
the distance between yourself and trash can, air resistance, the weight of the trash you want
to throw away, required trajectory, and the force required so that the piece of trash lands into
the trash can. Your application of algebra while aiming at the trash can does not end here.
You also estimate the strength of the nerve impulse which has to be sent to each muscle at the
right time to contract or relax it. In case, you still miss your shot, you definitely did not do
your algebra well.

5. Business & Finance Management

Algebra is as crucial in business as in other fields. A business owner makes use of algebraic
operations to calculate the profits or losses incurred. A business person will employ algebra to
decide whether a piece of equipment does not lose its worth while it is in stock. Also, the
business owner needs to calculate the lowest price at which an item can be sold to still cover
the expenses. As for the people working in the finance area, exchange rates and interest rates
are often represented algebraically; therefore, good knowledge of algebraic operations is
necessary to carry out finances accurately.

Also, in order to understand the terms and conditions of a loan or an investment account, a
sound knowledge of numbers, especially algebra, is required. Moreover, the growth in the
business market is often exponential, which also requires a good knowledge of basic algebraic
operations.

6. Sports

Algebra does not even leave behind sports to make use of it. If you look closely, the players of
almost all the sports, unintentionally, apply algebra. The cricketers are able to hit sixes only
because they are able to calculate the force required to hit the ball and basketball players
calculate the trajectory to score a point. In a similar fashion, footballers calculate the force
and distance so as to score a goal and sprinters estimate the speed required to cover the
distance to reach the endpoint; therefore, each and every sport involve algebra in one way or
the other.

Moreover, you might be surprised to know that even dogs employ algebra to calculate the
time and distance in order to catch hold of a boomerang or a food morsel mid-air.

7. Cooking
You might think that algebra has no role to play in the kitchen, especially while cooking.
However, the truth might not be stranger to the kitchen or even cooking. Algebra finds its way
while cooking, baking, measuring ingredients, etc. The ones who are beginners in the kitchen
often consult recipe books while preparing a particular dish. The temperature in the recipe
book might be given on a Celsius scale and one might have to convert it other scales
depending on the dial involved. Also, take the following example: while preparing
Thanksgiving Dinner, the turkey has to be cooked as per its weight. Let’s say if a turkey takes
24 hours per 5 pound to thaw and you have a 15-pound turkey in hand, how much time will
the turkey take to thaw? You can very well calculate the same using algebraic operations.
8. Technology
Had it not been for algebra, you might not be having flat screen TVs or smartphones. The
computer games that you play endlessly, mobile phones that you use, cars that you drive, it
because of the people who are adept at algebra that such situations are made possible. In
algebra, specific numbers are replaced by symbols. While playing a computer game, you see a
character; that character is nothing but a string of symbols. A computer programmer uses his
knowledge of algebra to put forth the string of symbols. Also, a set of rules are followed to
make the symbols interact in the right way which also requires algebra.

9. Logical Thinking
The study of algebra helps in logical thinking and enables a person to break down a problem
first and then find its solution. Although you might not see theoretical algebraic problems on
a daily basis, the exposure to algebraic equations and problems at some point in life will train
your mind to think logically. This ability to think logically will not only help you at home but
also on your workplace and enable you to take mindful decisions at any time.

10. Home Improvement

Repairing and remodelling of homes require the knowledge of numbers. In order to get this
job done efficiently, algebra is needed. The basics of algebra and numbers will help you in
determining the amount of particular material required to get the desired project finished; for
example- an electrician will figure out the number of electrical circuits, a tile installer will
estimate the number of tiles required to cover the floor of a particular room, a painter will
determine the quantity of paint required to paint the walls, and so on. In each example, you
might have noticed that algebra is involved in one way or the other.

11. Health & Fitness

A knowledge of algebra can even prove beneficial for your health. While losing your weight,
you might have noticed that you first calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI), then watch out
for food intake, and hence, monitor your calories. Now, the calculation of BMI is done with
the help of some equations. Similarly, in case you want to calculate your body fat percentage,
some other equations might be involved. It’s quite surprising that while on a weight-loss
journey, several equations are helping you in one way or the other. In the gym, while lifting
weights, a trainer determines the amount of weight which a person can lift depending upon
the latter’s weight.

12. Outdoor Landscaping

Landscaping is yet another area which requires a person to not only be good with numbers
but also basic algebraic operations. While designing a planter box, you will notice that algebra
is required. First, you will measure the length, breadth, and height of the box, you will
calculate the volume, the amount of soil or manure required, and the underlying cost of this
whole project. Undoubtedly, almost every step will involve some algebraic equations.

13. Pool
Suppose you just brought a new home and you want a pool in your backyard. What are you
going to do? You will first calculate the area of your backyard and then you will determine in
how much area you want your pool to be spread. Right? You might have observed that it is
only with the help of some algebraic equations that you are able to carry out the aforesaid
steps. After the determination of the area of the pool, you will calculate the amount of water
to fill in the pool and also the time which will be taken to fill the pool to its brim or half the
volume; which again requires algebra.

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