We began examining the scope and sequence of our mathematics program at the end of year 1 or year 2.  Calculus was on the list.  I kept searching for why we should study it, but it was hard to find an answer.

On 4-17-09, I read the following comment on the importance of calculus,

"To give mathematical sophistication for more advanced work."

I wrote the following underneath it,

"No thanks!"

We will focus our mathematics programs on PRACTICAL applications.  We will apply arithmetic, algebra, and geometry (with trigonometry as a branch of geometry), to USEFUL projects.  Should need (or interest) arise, this course of study will provide a sound foundation for studies in Calculus.  

When discussing this with Hannah, she noted that I took Calculus in college **and never used it**.

No wonder I've had such a hard time trying to understand how to approach Calculus.  It was useless to me personally--this is not to say that much of our current technology is not based upon calculus.  The superlatives ascribed to calculus have greatly aroused my curiousity about it and arrested my attention, but at the end of the line, I find that I have had absolutely no use for calculus as it was taught to me.  We can't use it.

Useful mathematics for practical, useful, industrious men.

Useless mathematics for the useless man.