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Imagine a world without algebra. We can hear the sound of school children applauding. What practical use are parametric equations and polynomials, anyway? Even some scholars argue that algebra is the Latin of today, and should be dropped from the mandatory curriculum.\nBut why stop there? Maybe we should do away with math classes altogether.\nAn astronomer says he\u2019d be out of work: we can all forget about understanding the origins of the universe, the cycles of the moon and how to communicate with alien life. Also, no math = no cybersecurity + hackers (who have taken math) will have the upper hand.\nAlso, without mathematics, you\u2019ll laugh < you do now. The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has peppered his animated show with hidden math jokes.\nAnd why mathematics = love.\nGuests:\n\n\nAndrew Hacker \u2013 Professor of political science and mathematics at Queens College, City University of New York. His article, \u201cIs Algebra Necessary?\u201d, appeared in The New York Times in 2012.\n\n\nBob Berman \u2013 Astronomy editor of The Old Farmer\u2019s Almanac, the author of The Sun\u2019s Heartbeat: And Other Stories from the Life of the Star That Powers Our Planet, and columnist for Astronomy Magazine. His article, \u201cHow Math Drives the Universe\u201d is the cover story in the December 2013 issue.\n\n\nSimon Singh \u2013 Science writer, author of The Simpsons and Their Mathematical Secrets\n\n\n\nRob Manning \u2013 Flight system chief engineer at the Jet Propulsion Lab, responsible for NASA\u2019s Curiosity rover\n\n\nEdward Frenkel \u2013 Professor of mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, author of Love and Math: The Heart of Hidden Reality. His article, \u201cThe Perils of Hacking Math,\u201d is found on the online magazine, Slate.\n\nDescripci\xf3n en espa\xf1ol\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices