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This is a sore point for me.

I graduated from a tony American private high school, and went on to graduate from an ivy league college.

The last math I learned was basic trig in eleventh grade.

Somehow I was allowed, encouraged even, to avoid math. I never had to say the word math in college or graduate school.

As a result I do not actually know what calculus is, and while I’m sure you don’t invoke it while calculating a tip, I often struggle with that exercise.

Regrettably. I’m sure my predicament is not unique.


My favorite example is compound interest. Imagine having to solve a compound interest test to get a credit card. It seems like a basic precaution to me (like a driving license), but yet I’m not convinced all in the US can do it.


When I applied to colleges in early 2000s, you basically had to have taken Calculus AP or IB courses by 11th grade to get into the elite schools.


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