Algebra in the Real World
Algebra is used in the real world more than one would imagine. Algebra is essential in every numerical situation, and makes up a lot of it. There’s certain ways prices are calculated using algebra. Students in school may think algebra isn’t important, but perhaps they should reconsider that. Linear equations, more specifically slope-intercept form. Slope-intercept form is y=mx+b, where y is the total, m is the trend (increase or decrease), x is a value that can be set based on an independent variable, and b is the starting total when x=0.
Slope-intercept form is used when paying for gas. The equation for filling up gas in slope-intercept form would look like this. Total price = price per gallon+initial price. When filling up gas however, there is no initial price. At Exxon in Bernardsville, New Jersey, these are the prices. Let’s say someone wants to get regular gas. That’s $2.99 per gallon. With those numbers, the equation is now y=2.99x, and since there’s no initial value, b is removed. Assume someone wants to get 10 gallons of gas, the equation is now y=2.99(10). The total cost now comes out to be $29.90. This price is calculated using slope-intercept form, which is algebra, showing its importance in the real world.
There’s more fun examples of slope-intercept form in the real world of course. Just take a look at cliff diving. Going back to our equation, y=mx+b, with cliff diving this translates to total height=feet per second+initial height. This is more hypothetical, but it still supports the use of algebra when cliff diving. Let’s say a boy is cliff diving and they’re going down at 2 feet per second, and they started up at 20 feet in the air. The equation is now y=-2x+20. It’s -2 since there’s a decrease, not an increase. The boy dives, and he’s been going down for 5 seconds. You’d plug in 5 for x, so now you would have y=-2(5)+20=-10+20= 10 feet. Algebra can literally be used for any sort of situation, real or hypothetical.
Another situation supported by algebra is booking a boat for travel. Imagine a nice, beach and ocean vacation. What could be better? You come up with the idea to book a boat for a few people and to head out and explore the ocean. But you have to pay for it. You don’t just hand them cash and they decide. No, the boat managers already have an algebraic equation to calculate the cost of the boat. It looks like this. Total cost=cost per person+initial value. Let’s say you have 4 people, it’s $80 per person, and the initial value is $500. The total cost is 4(80)+500= $820. This goes to show algebra is used whether you’re calculating price, height, or just discovering trends. Algebra is everywhere, whether you see it or not, whether you choose to see it or not, whether you believe it or not, whether you want to believe it or not.
Algebra is essential in every numerical situations, and makes up a lot of it. There’s certain ways prices are calculated using algebra. Students in school may think algebra isn’t important, but perhaps they should reconsider that.
Works Cited
Exxon in Bernardsville (135 US-202 N ). my.noodletools.com/web2.0/bibliography.html. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
20 Practical Examples of Algebra in Everyday Life. differentbydesignlearning.com/examples-of-algebra-everyday-life/#Real-life_Applications_Of_Algebra. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.