"Why do I need to know this stuff?!"

Because you will go back to school at 25-years-old, be required to take three state exams and reteach yourself this stuff in order to pass. That's why.

I am currently studying for the General Knowledge Exam that I will take February 20- three short weeks from now. I'm not too concerned about my abilities in the grammar, reading and writing sections, but the math might just do me in.

For the next three weeks I'm devoting myself to my study book in order to pass this test. So far I've gotten through fractions. I have TONS more left to learn (reteach myself) about geometry, algebra, x to the nth degree and everything in between.

I've always been everything but a mathematician. I didn't even remember what the order of operations were! (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. . . still not sure what the E is for.) I will celebrate heavily once I pass the GKE- and will be relieved when I never have to try to determine what the difference between a number and an integer is (which I have determined they are both the same thing, with different definitions so that math books can just mess with your mind).