Every semester a crowd of incoming freshmen screams their deafening wail: “This is so stupid! Why do I need to take an algebra course? I will not use any kind of mathematics in my profession!” What these incoming freshmen don't understand is that math is a skill that is used every day in all professions, in one form or another. Understanding and being able to function mathematically is a critical element of a well-rounded education. However, disabilities related to mathematics and numbers can hinder students who have them. Courses like algebra offer students the opportunity to gain confidence in their abilities and can lead to jobs with greater financial benefits. For these reasons, it is important to overcome or circumvent difficulties and develop a strong understanding of mathematics to be successful in school and in life. Speaking correct English is essential in today's workforce. It can be a difficult task to take a professional seriously if he or she speaks doubly negatively, uses jargon, or commonly applied abuse in his or her work. The same can be said when it comes to math skills. While knowledge of complex mathematics may not be necessary in some career fields, many professions require specific knowledge of algebraic equations, calculus, or trigonometry to complete job tasks. For example, nurses must convert grams to milligrams for drug dosages or be able to calculate the number of drops per minute for an IV if computerized equipment is not available. Airline pilots also need to be able to calculate the landing speed, glide slope and degree of flap to use for a safe landing in an emergency situation. Secondly, students who have been diagnosed with a learning disability...... middle of paper ...in case of computer failure are not allowed to enter the cockpit. At the other end of the economic scale, the same is true. A person digging ditches must be able to understand and understand how deep and wide the ditch needs to be to meet the needs of their employer. Homeless people need to be able to count the change they receive throughout the day, or understand the concept of weight if they recycle so they don't get cheated. An unknown author is quoted as saying, “The human mind has never invented a machine labor-saving system equal to algebra.” Mathematics surrounds us everywhere we look. Overcoming difficulties and preconceived notions about mathematics is vital to the success of a college student in school and in life Maybe once the crying freshmen have taken a few classes, they will understand that mathematics is a universal language and should not be taken for granted..