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That's the whole point of the conversation we're ostensibly having.

But not very specific so far. We only have some anecdotes from that article writer about 8th grade maths.

To start, I think everybody should be able to do financial calculations (like compounding interest), and be able to decipher the charts they are being bombarded with every day in the media.

Other than that I guess I agree with some other posters that it is the people who figure thinks out who are often also good in maths. I am not even sure how to teach that and if traditional maths at school helps.

You asked "what's the solution here". I'm just saying: there are solutions here, and they aren't abstract. Is there a widespread belief that the current US high school math sequence is good? I feel like I've read a lot of different takes, many from mathematicians and scientists, about why it's not good.

The question was in reply to the argument that maths should be abolished or toned down because it makes kids miserable. So if that is the criterion, what about all the other subjects that make kids miserable. I personally enjoyed maths, but other subjects made me miserable.

I don't think that means everything is fine as it is, but also that simply getting rid of subjects because people don't enjoy them may be too much.

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