Interesting question - but I’m more interested to know why you ask?

(I don’t work now but never used algebra at work. Have used it a few times over the years to work out slightly complicated component dimensions on DIY jobs - but nothing as sophisticated as online calculators).

all the time, even at home working out various things. funny thing is quite a few people come to me and ask  "...how do you work out...?" so I would suggest many more people should use it

Not for work, ever.

Yes, but then I have a Hons degree in Mathematics and do lots of stats/maths/data science work.

I use it at work from time to time. I'm old fashioned, so feel more comfortable scribbling on a piece of paper than learning some sort of software tool.

Algebra is about transforming equations, not about calculating. It's the difference between mathematics and arithmetic. Unless I've missed something, calculators are good for arithmetic, and no good for mathematics.

And, yes, I use algebra at work (and at home) from time to time.

eracode:
Interesting question - but I’m more interested to know why you ask?

I think its useful as a way of thinking way of approaching problems, like most things we learn at school.

afe66:

I think its useful as a way of thinking way of approaching problems, like most things we learn at school.

Bottom line, a lot of what you learn at school is not about the actual subject or it's matter, but about learning to learn and it laying a foundation of knowledge by which you can utilize in your life. 

A lot of the time when I employ people, I like to see what qualifications they have, not because the qualifications themselves are completely relevant, but rather that they can learn and stick with something for a sustained period. 

Despite not using algebra a LOT, I do use it occasionally, but I consider it a really important topic to learn at school :) 

afe66:

 

I think its useful as a way of thinking way of approaching problems, like most things we learn at school.

 

Exactly. Studying algebra is brain exercise.
I think of it as how Latin and Greek were subjects in a lot of schools in the past. Not because anyone actually expected to be communicating in these languages, but because of the mental discipline that it was considered their study enforced, which had beneficial follow-on effects in all other disciplines.

halper86:

afe66:

 

I think its useful as a way of thinking way of approaching problems, like most things we learn at school.

 

I just feel like some of the stuff we learn is useless, instead of having algebra as compulsory, make it that only the people that want to take it can take it like people that want to go to uni. I do agree that some of the stuff is useful though - like basic math and english, not sure about science however.

Any sort of STEM subject or job relies heavily on algebra or algebraic concepts. Want to be an electrician? You can't understand (as opposed to calculate) volt drop without algebra. Computer science - programming is just algebraic concepts in drag, engineering etc etc.

I do occasionally but more often than not I type what I want to work out into Wolfram Alpha and it does it for me, then I go "oh! I could have used algebra"

never

I can't ever recall needing to use it. I thought it was an absolute poop thing to learn at school.