For those who say that they NEVER use Algebra 05 22 2023

 You could buy 18 eggs for $1.85 or you could buy 12 eggs for $5.00.

Figuring out that per unit cost is the essence of Algebra.  You figure out the per unit cost so that you can see which is the better deal.  

 18 eggs is to $1.85 as 1 egg is to x.

12 eggs is to $5 as 1 egg is to y.

Now lets see if I can type in the equation on a computer?

18/1.85=1/x

and 12/5= 1/y

But lets convert the dollars into cent first.

18/185=1/x

12/500=1/y

Ah lets write it this way instead.

185/18=x/1

500/12=y/1

Now multiply both sides of the equations by 1 so that the one on the right hand side of it cancels out. 

looks like this.

1*(500/12)=(x/1)*1

 1*(185/18) =(y/1)*1

So that right side of each equation can be condensed:

1*(500/12)=(1x/1)

1*(185/18)=(1y/1)

So the right side gets condensed again.

1*(500/12)=x

1*(185/18)=y

Now you do what is in parenthesis on the left side of the equation before any other operators.

1*(41.6 cents)=x

1*( 10.2 cents)=y

So 1 times anything is still what it was and 

41.6 cents =x

10.2 cents =y

So each egg in the carton of a dozen costs 41.6 cents

and each egg of the 18 count carton costs 10.2 cents.

What am I getting at? If you know how to calculate a per unit cost then you do indeed know algebra.  You just haven't put the framework of algebra to it?  What I am stating is don't be put off by the complexity of it to make you believe it is something you can't understand.  If you can read this you can understand it.

If you don't believe in that you believe in egg on your head trickle down economics?  Just take what the hand that feeds gives you and say that anyone who knows algebra has offended the hand that feeds you?  And that is a religious belief isn't it?  The God of the hand that feeds me!

I dare not offend the God of the hand that feeds me!

Or I will end up with egg on my head?

What a horrible way to live!

© 2023 Thomas Paul Murphy