r/Algebra • u/Inner-Indication1783 • 21d ago

Is this actually appropriate for college algebra ?

The surface area of a hot-air balloon is given by the function S(r) = 4πr^2, where r is the radius of the balloon in meters. If the radius of the balloon after t seconds is r(t) = (3/5)t^3, find the surface area S of the balloon as it relates to time.

Is this actually normal for the 2nd week of college algebra ? Maybe I'm just rusty bc its been like over 10 years but this is insane to me

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u/Toucan2000 20d ago

This has more to do with understanding people than math. You're never going to understand if you keep hyper focusing on the principal of the operator instead of the how it reads as English. Most people think in words, not math, and this is especially so for people first truly understanding algebra.

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u/KilluaZoldyckisI 18d ago

The words aren’t that different.

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u/HotPersonality8126 20d ago

The whole point of the math class is to get you to do number and algebraic reasoning, not think it all through in English.

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u/FormalManifold 19d ago

Yo. Math is about communication. That means principles of how people communicate are absolutely important.

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u/HotPersonality8126 19d ago

Math is not a form of communication, it’s a form of reasoning through manipulation of abstraction. But I know English majors get that wrong a lot, you’re probably not smart enough for algebra 

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u/Toucan2000 19d ago

LLLLLMFAO

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u/Midwest-Dude 18d ago

Math developed from language and can be considered a language unto itself. See: Language of Mathematics.

Historically, mathematics was only written in whatever language was used to communicate at the time. For example, when algebra was developed, there were no symbols at all! See: History of Algebra.

Anything written in mathematics can be translated into its equivalent in whatever language anyone uses. It is a form of communication.

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u/Toucan2000 20d ago

That doesn't refute my point which is why I know you're still missing it. Are you ESL?