The Improbability of Enjoyment

In order to find the linearization of function f(x), you have to take the first derivative. Then, put the value “a” into the first derivative for “x” and solve. Next, take “a” and put it into f(x) for “x” and solve. Finally, subtract the derivative’s solution for “a” multiplied by the quantity (x-a) from the solution for “a” from the original function. The equation that results from all of this is the linearization of the original function.

Why did I choose to take AP Calculus? After suffering through three years of algebra (7,8,9 grades, a year of geometry, and a year of pre-calculus, I should have understood that math and I have a distinctly antagonistic relationship, and all ties should be severed as quickly as possible. Yet, I chose to subject myself to another year of x’s and y’s and z’s and all other sorts of letters that are actually numbers.

Maybe it has its uses in the real world. Maybe all of math has some application in the real world. (The real world is anything outside a math classroom.) Actually, I know that isn’t true. One section of my Pre-Calculus book specifically stated that it had no function in the non-math world; we just learned it for fun! However, as much fun as adding, subtracting, and graphing imaginary numbers is, I can’t get excited about it.

Sure, I can predict the rate at which a snowball will triple its size while rolling down a hill, if x amount of snow is added each second. And I suppose, if I wanted to, I could even tell you what the American population will be in 2060 by using a graph. However, I will never have an opportunity to display these skills. I want to go into the medical field. As far as I know, predicting rates and amounts by setting up equations and graphs do not have a use in an ER.

So, it comes down to the answer to my initial question. Why did I choose to take Calculus? For a few reasons; no, I did not learn to love math after all the agonizing years I suffered through it. I took Calculus because: 1) I must take at least four years of math; and, 2) I can test out of it later in college. The only thing worse than choosing to take Calculus in high school is having to take it in college.