I work as a Chemical Engineer. One day you may find yourself in a like for like role.

The theorem as such is not limited to working out sides of a triangle. There are more applications with telecommonications, statistics, economics etc etc. The military and many tracking firms use this kind of mathematics in their software.

Standard form is also used by chemists, engineers, astrologists, geologists, and many other scientific professions as well as any job level higher than "administrator".

Learning "Useless things" is the difference between having a job and a career.

Everytime someone slates basic mathematics (and it only gets harder), I cringe a little. I took up a maths degree so I could get out of a rut, I now earn more than many could imagine, and my prospects have only improved. Sure your school may teach you in a stupid round-about way, but they're giving you the basic tools you need.

Council Tax, Loans, mortages. I'm almost 28, and these are a drop in the ocean. Council tax you do via direct debit. Loans are all done for you. When I took out a mortgage and got a house, a lot of the work was done for me via the bank, mortgage advisor and my legal advisor.

I'm glad I learned how to work out a side of a triangle. Because now I can perform much.. MUCH more complicated mathematics. The world values those who can crunch numbers.

Shame I'm shit at maths, eh?

Jae is bang on. I also did a Maths degree and found it opened up a lot of opportunities. You'd be surprised at how in demand highly numerate people are in the job market. I work in healthcare and if you want to know whether a new drug in a clinical trial is really making people better and if its cost-effective you need somebody who can do maths.

physics degree here, and i wouldn't be without maths, either for my normal job or for photography...

Maths comes into the world so much later on in life and it's so useful to be able to understand it all... i know it seems tough now, but it's really worth sticking with it and getting it under your belt

M

I only studied maths up to GCE/A level, but even this basic view of maths is useful - especially for costuming. I don't think I'd be able to sketch out costume patterns or make props without some knowledge of maths. It also just changes the way you look at things - especially stuff like the decision-making modules. I also believe that any academic study changes the way you think and do stuff, so none of it is really wasted
Having said that I also think that the token-gesture schools make at preparing students for the 'real world' is pathetic and needs to be improved.

Ironic you posted this on a cosplay site. I use this all the time for making costumes. It means the difference between getting it right first time vs wasting time and materials with guess-work.
All geometry related maths is invaluable in this hobby

Embrace the maths, it just wants to help you <3

Nixie, I was bollocks at maths too till like 25. But I like pushing myself out of my comfort zones and started right from the bottom, re-learning below GSCE stuff and working my way through A levels and then degree level with the Open University. They make it much much more fun.

I agree with Zelvyne snd Amy-Lou too; I use it in props making. Getting the exact curve of something right sometimes means cutting something out in 2D and assembling, what looks flat may have to be cut out as a curve like the Visor for Godot. I needed to find out how long the visible edge was so I used Pythagoras theorem (coincidentally) because I knew 2 of the lengths already.

Getting things spot on means using regression, Pi, and of course pythagoras. How are you going to scale something up or down? Oh yeah, linear regression.

Winging it leaves you with irregularities and mis-shapen parts that don't quite match up.

Also: Pythagoras' theorem NOT Pythagora's theory. ENGLISH TOO.

I wasn't saying maths wasn't that important, more that on a educational standpoint I couldn't bash them out in a set time. I'm alright with maths, just not from an exam standpoint.

On another note, I'm absolutely furious with work. They told me last night my 7pm-7am shift today had been cancelled. They have literally just text me asking if I can come in to do the 7pm to 7am shift! I've been up all day, not eaten and would have no time to eat before the shift OR get any food ready to take with me. Like, what the hell?!

I'm very biased as I'm doing an electronic engineering degree so have to use maths daily.

But I use it in all my costumes too! Most of my costumes that involve a lot of volume like circle skirts I use Pythagoras or else I'd end up wasting a lot of fabric. I think Pythagoras is actually the most useful thing you could use in cosplay!
Pi is your favourite number when you make circle skirts.
Likewise I use ratios a /lot/. I have proportions completely opposite to an anime character, i.e. I have a long body and short legs. So I use ratios to fix that. I also use ratios a lot to make props in proportion.

I was in a discussion a while back about the most important GCSE/A-level topics that people could take, and I honestly think Maths and English are high up, maybe not to A-level standard for English, but still. Maths just helps train your brain to think strategically and methodically. Sure you may not use most of the stuff you learn but it helps to train your brain to see a problem and analyse which steps to take in which order.

In electronics, I would really hate to type in 0.0000000022 every time into a calculator whenever I'm using a 2.2nF capacitor, or a 1M resistor... I'd lose track of all my 0s. I am honestly really quite terrible when working with capacitor values so standard form is a life saver.

So my opinion sounds quite biased as Maths has always been my favourite subject, along with Music. But I'd like to think I've always thought of importance of subjects while unbiased as I can see different strengths in all subjects you can choose at GCSE.


But any way, just had an exam today. They made two mistakes in the exam paper which kinda screwed me over so so much, I wanna go back ;___; But oh well, it's done, I think I did alright in the other two exams. I now have all the free time in the world (until Tuesday when I have to do a presentation...) and so I'm just chillaxing and enjoying my free time <3
Except I feel oh so weird being at home and not in the library, WHAT IS THIS MYSTERIOUS PLACE THAT IS MY OWN HOUSE!?!?!?

Thanks for all the replies... :/ I understand!
I was kind of moody about maths when I wrote that since I had just had a meltdown about something as simple as standard form! >.< I can do it, but it's frustrating.

I don't really get how you can use Pythagora's Theorem in cosplay... But I'm sure that I'll understand it someday. Just not today...

Considering I'm planning on being a specialised doctor (I'm thinking medicine, not surgery or anything as difficult as that! Diagnosis, medication...etc Is more my thing!) so I'll guess I'll need some maths for that.

Thanks for all your input! I really needed a reality check! XD Thanks again, guys!

Feel low. Anyone got any general confidence tricks they're willing to give?
It's getting to the point where I worry about talking to friends, I'm scared i'm annoying or awkward. This then leads to me feeling kinda lonely.

Sorry.

Confidence is something I probably have too much of, look at all these confidences I can't hold. At the base of it, is you. Count the good things you have, like your friends and your boyfriend. Loads of people would love to have that and it's a testament to how much they like you. That's as much as I can say on the emotional side, for I am not a lady and I have less emotional capacity than a tamagotchi for a rock. My friends often joke about how I couldn't even be the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz because he actually wanted a heart. But that's a lie. Because they weren't joking.

On the bio-mechanical side I shine. Pop quiz hot shot;
Do you:
Watch 1-2 movie a week?
Have Breakfast?
Eat a balanced diet low in saturated and trans fat?
Eat chocolate now and then?
Get at least 2-3 hugs a week?

If you don't do the above, then you should. I'm not saying you're bad if you don't, but these little things release dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. I'd also suggest excercise, coffee and the work/reward motivation (set yourself a target and a mini reward)

Trust me when I say that often I am more awkward and annoying than anyone can believe. Sometimes I wind my girlfriend up for no real reason and I don't even know I'm doing it. Some of my friends are even more so, one of them likes to take his shirt off and dance like the world's greatest douchebag having a siezure on shark adrenaline, but we still like him and see past it. What I'm trying to say is don't worry, they're your friends and friends don't mind that. Hell even one of our mates who has ADHD and argues every irrelevent detail is still our mate because we know he's a decent chap.. in between his endless sucking off of DragonballZ.

No-one is really born with a specific trait, we learn it from others and mimic. I'd suggest surrounding yourself with ass kickers, sooner or later you'll be one too :3

Thanks Jae

An hour ago I phoned a prospective job and asked for the result of my interview. They said an hour ago that they would ring me back in 20 mins.

All I want is an answer! I need to stop fantasizing about the possibility of having a stable, non demanding job which I can leave at the door at 5pm and then get on with my life. Hell, they short listed TWO people. TWO.

I can't concentrate without a job, my motivation is non-existent and my self worth is hovering around the ass end of no-where.

I'm highly literate, I'm a postgraduate student, I can't do tele-sales but I'll try anything.

Please God someone employ me. I have a mortgage to pay, overdue bills and quite frankly I need money so I can eat at least one meal a day which has more nutritional value than rice and isn't baked beans.

RAGE!

I thought I'd be a helpful grandson and help my nan lift some groceries to the cellar. It's an old house and she buys in bulk. As in 42kg containers and sacks.

Sweet jesus I should have warmed up or some shit, my goddamn shoulder blade... vicks vaporub is no substitute for deep heat hahahahafffuuuu....

Aww Jae, that's sweet but I hope you stop hurting soon!

I decided to stupidly go back to re-enactment after a 3 year hiatus due to injury, managed to get a shield to the face about an hour in... it's going to look great for my boyfriend when the bruise comes out!

I'll be honest I'm getting pretty fed up of trying to look into things that my friends are into. Even if i don't particularly want to I'll always give it a go for the sake of having something to talk to and I trust their judgement.

There's one friend whoever who lately has just been irritating the crap out of me. The conversation always start as:
Them: Hi, how are you?
Me: Im fine, you?
Them: Meh.../crap/same shit new day

It's the same negativity and I'm honestly sick of it. I'd had a good and productive day today though he hadn't. So I sat around for a good while trying to suggest things while he knocked them down one by one. Eventually I suggested he watch some of the series which he said he'd 'get around to'. I suggested some two years ago which he hasnt touched. Then he has the audacity to talk some bollocks about the stuff im really into when he hasn't even watched a single episode or knows what its about. The number of times I've tried things he's told me to try because theyre 'amazing' is unreal. Often, I haven't liked it but kept my mouth shut and said a few nice things about it. but he didn't even seem aware of the fact he was being a miserable arse and ungreatful to the fact I was actually bothering to suggest things for him to do since he was so unbearably bored. The rest of the time he just uses me as someone to whine about his family or his life - the second I have a tiny problem and need someone to talk to? 'sorry I cant help you there'

ARGH!!!

Trying to avoid quoting the whole thing and making a wall of text, but a combination of unwillingness to explore, outright pessimism and friends super imposing their interests onto you is one of my greatest pet peeves alongside a few other things, which I'll probably end up getting to somewhere down the line.

I guess it's somewhat hypocritical of me, trying to share with people the things I like while at the same time, dismissing someone else idea. My general morality policy on the subject is that when someone introduces me to a subject (In your case a movie or episode), I'll supply the etiquette to explain why I like or dislike it (the movie or episode). If a friend tells me that 'they don't like this' or 'they like this' I usually ask why; not in a nasty way in the slightest, but it's nice to get insights on personal preferences, even if I don't particularly like whatever it is myself or don't really share an interest in it, at the current time.

I myself, have definitely run across that issue a lot. Problematic as it is, some are rather close friends, so I have to just learn and adapt to them. That being said, the friends I already have share similar interests in the first place (Gaming, Anime) so the hate isn't that big, usually other little petty things that don't really matter in the end.

Working on a couple of school jackets for and cosplay for myself and I friend. Went over my finger with the foot of the sewing machine and it really hurts!

Everything just feels really crap right now. Job issues have meant I have to sign on (zero hour contracts are such bullshit). I find the whole Job Centre experience really stressful (also this is the first time I've done it. EVER). It just seems that everyone there is just so incompetent. My first signing on day was last Friday and someone had screwed up the appointment. I signed on in the end but I still haven't had that diagnostic interview or whatever.

Of course it's really difficult finding work. I applied for a position and haven't heard back. Sent them a letter about it still haven't heard back. Things at the place where I have my contract seem to bad and it looks I might not be back there anytime soon. Even If I go back I'll have to deal with shit like the senior that that hates me. No other away around it and I worry what it would be like if I was assigned to a project under him. It doesn't help that the feeling is mutual but I can at least be professional about it. Then there's also the fact someone in a higher position is now going out with one of my closest friends and is now acting like a jealous dick towards me. I really don't want to try to deal with that either. Also there's another situation that I really shouldn't go into at this point as far as work is concerned but yeah that's on my mind constantly as well.

I'm also feeling isolated and let out. It just seems like no one seems to think of me when making arrangements. It's like people are just putting up with me for the sake of other people. There's something else (again that I shouldn't go into) that's still upsetting me. It's made worse by the fact it's all out of my hands and it's all gone to shit. It's like if things were to be resolved they would be by now. Also, I just feel like I'm just huge retard that can't actually do anything useful.

Sorry for, what even for me is, an uber rant.

Exercise, exercise, exercise. My personal recommendation is get out and go for a run, gym, some sport! I was in the army until Aug last year and exercise is by far the best way to take your mind off of things and get those endorphins going!

That is a pretty shitty situation Luke.

I've been to the jobcentre on and off for the last 5 years. Once I was out of work for 6 months and contemplated some very bad things.

You need to really use the system and take advantage of loopholes and opportunities. Nothing magical happens with the job centre, if you rely on it they'll lump you in with the really special plebs who couldn't tell their arse from their elbow.

I know you're not the most extroverted individual but for a role like yours, the market seems to be niche. It's a case of who you know and how well you get on with influential people.

Ice-climber, I can totally relate. I'm also in exact same position, minus the fact the JC rejected my claim and instead of people arranging things without considering me, I'm arranging things for a group of people who don't seem to realise how much time I'm putting in for them when there are stuff I'd rather do.

So yeah. Distressing.

EDIT: I mean, I'm putting cosplay I'd love to do on hold for 'em, either because they want to do it as a group or cause I can't fit it in round with what they want to do for the group. And with the first, the costume then gets put on the back burner as a "to do as a group" only to never happen. It's tiring.

The JC+ staff are under a lot of pressure from their management to reduce the number of people on benefits. On a completely unrelated note, its a lot easier to find an excuse to stop someone's benefits than it is to get them a job.

Document everything, don't accept BS, and as Jae says - game the system. Learn how to use their resources to find yourself work. Good luck dude!

In a bit of a ragey mood..... I use a seek and sell group for my local area on FB, and I sold a lady some disco lights. She had them for a week, before she messaged me saying they were faulty....They were not faulty, I tested them 4 times before she came to collect them to ensure they were working. I do not ever sell faulty products - if they are and I am aware, I make the buyer aware and reduce the price accordingly. I've sold a lot of stuff before on this page, including a lot of electrical products, and never had any problem with any buyers, same with selling stuff on ebay and other selling groups on FB, never had any faults or problems. When she explained what was wrong with them, its actually how they work, they make a clicking noise when they go round. I tried explaining to her, reasoning with her and in the end I had to block her as she was being rude, unreasonable and rather abusive with her comments like I was an idiot, so I had no other option but to do that. I unblocked her temporarily to look at her page and saw her slagging me off in a status and people commenting saying she should 'name and shame' me. Thankfully, when I blocked her, my contact details and name had dissapeared from her page. I could of named and shamed her, but fortunately for her, I'm not that petty a person. I reblocked her and messaged a mod of the group my worries, who reassured me not to worry and said the mods have no power to make anyone issue a refund and that buyers should ask for electrical products to be shown working to them before they buy. When she'd had them a week though and they'd been working when I sold her them, how do I not know she'd broken them in that time and then tried to pin the blame on me?

Rant over. Really got me worked up. I actually became a bit wary of selling to people on that page, and the people in my town have a bad reputation anyways as not being nice folk, but this just further nailed the point across to me :l