New Book Claims Algebra Is Unnecessary, Forces Students To Drop Out

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A new book aims to answer a question asked by high school students for ages: who needs algebra?

The book, titled The Math Myth by political scientist Andrew Hacker, argues algebra is a stumbling block that forces millions to drop out of school.

Hacker says only five percent of jobs use advanced math, so he wants curriculums to focus on statistics and a more basic sense of numbers.

Critics say math just needs to be taught more effectively.