Algebra Is Everywhere in Science. Here’s Why That Matters.

Have you ever sat in math class wondering, “When will I ever use this?” If your answer is “yes,” you’re not alone. Many students ask this question, especially when equations seem disconnected from their everyday lives.

But here’s the truth: algebra is a foundational tool across science. Whether you’re working through Punnett squares in biology, balancing equations in chemistry, or interpreting environmental data in earth science, algebra is the language that lets you organize and analyze patterns, make predictions, and solve problems.

This blog post explores how algebra connects to science in the real world and why building your algebra skills now will help you succeed in high school and beyond.

What Is Algebra? And Why Do Scientists Use It?

Algebra is the branch of mathematics that helps us represent and explore relationships between variables. It’s not just about solving for “x.” In science, variables often stand for things we can measure, like temperature, mass, time, pressure, concentration, and algebra lets us describe how those values change.

Whenever scientists use equations to describe a system, whether that involves predicting how fast a disease spreads or how much energy a chemical reaction releases, they are using algebra. From modeling ecosystems to calculating chemical concentrations, algebraic reasoning helps scientists understand the physical world in a precise, structured way.

Real-World Science Examples Where Algebra Is Essential

Predicting Genetic Traits Using Probability

In biology, algebra plays a central role in understanding how traits are inherited. Take Punnett squares: while they’re a visual tool, they rely on basic probability and algebraic thinking. For example, if two heterozygous parents carry a gene with dominant (A) and recessive (a) alleles, the offspring have a 25% chance of being AA, a 50% chance of being Aa, and a 25% chance of being aa.

These ratios can be written as algebraic expressions. And when students explore more complex inheritance patterns, such as incomplete dominance or linked genes, they use algebra to model probabilities across multiple generations.

Algebra also plays a role in understanding genetic variants. For instance, the MTHFR C677T variant affects folate metabolism and has been studied for its potential influence on cardiovascular health and neurodevelopment, though its impact is modest and context-dependent.

Balancing Chemical Reactions

In chemistry, algebra is used to balance chemical equations so that matter is conserved. For example:

Fe + O₂ → Fe₂O₃

This unbalanced reaction requires adding coefficients so that the number of atoms on each side is equal. The correct balanced equation:

4Fe + 3O₂ → 2Fe₂O₃

This process is a real-world application of solving a system of equations, with one equation for each element. Later in chemistry, students also use algebra to calculate quantities in stoichiometry, determine reaction yields, and solve for unknown concentrations.

In environmental science, algebra helps students and researchers model how key variables change over time. A simple linear model might describe global temperature increases:

T(t) = 0.02t + 14.5

where t is the number of years since 2000, and T(t) represents average global temperature.

Algebraic equations like this can be used to predict future outcomes, compare different emission scenarios, or communicate findings to policy makers.

Exponential models also appear often. Scientists studying population growth, radioactive decay, or pandemic spread often use equations of the form:

P(t) = P₀e^rt for growth

or

N(t) = N₀^-kt for decay,

where P₀ or N₀ is the initial value, and r or k are rate constants.

How Algebra Helps You Understand Science More Deeply

Strong algebra skills give you a major advantage in science classes. Students who can translate word problems into equations, interpret graphs, and manipulate variables are better equipped to handle labs, standardized tests, and college-level work.

In genetics, understanding allele frequencies and probabilities requires mathematical reasoning. In chemistry, molarity, pH, and gas laws are all based on algebra. In physics, virtually every formula (from Newton’s laws to circuit calculations) is algebraic.

Moreover, mastering algebra gives students confidence in thinking logically, testing hypotheses, and working step-by-step. These are habits that transfer directly to success in the sciences.

How Does This Connect to What We Know About DNA?

Many scientific studies linking genetic variants to traits use algebra-based models to assess probability, frequency, and risk. Some well-known examples include:

• The APOE ε4 variant (rs429358 and rs7412), which has been linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and heart conditions. It is one of several contributing factors, not a sole determinant.
• The FTO variant (rs9939609), associated with a higher likelihood of elevated body mass index. However, the effect is modest and heavily influenced by lifestyle and environment.
• The LCT variant (rs4988235), strongly associated with lactase persistence—the ability to digest milk in adulthood—in people of European ancestry.
• The HERC2 variant (rs12913832), a key predictor of blue vs. brown eye color, though other genes contribute to the final phenotype.
• The MC1R gene, with several variants (such as rs1805007) associated with red hair and fair skin.

Scientists use statistical and algebraic models to test associations between these SNPs and specific phenotypes in large populations. Understanding the math behind the science helps students appreciate how genetic predictions are made and what their limits are.

Final Thoughts

Algebra is far more than just a set of rules for manipulating letters and numbers. It’s the language scientists use to make sense of data, develop models, and communicate complex relationships in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.

If you’re aiming for a career in science, or just hoping to pass your next bio or chem exam, building strong algebra skills will help you succeed. And the best part? You don’t have to figure it out alone.

At Peak Tutoring, we help students connect classroom math to real-world science. We don’t just teach formulas. We help you see the bigger picture. Let’s work together to turn your “When will I ever use this?” into “I’ve got this.”

References:

“MTHFR Gene.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6561/.

“MTHFR Genetic Testing: Controversy and Clinical Implications.” Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Apr. 2016, https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2016/april/mthfr-genetic-testing-controversy-and-clinical-imp/.

“Association of FTO rs9939609 with Obesity-Related Traits: A Meta-Analysis.” PubMed Central (NIH), 2016, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4861386/.

“Lactase Persistence and the Evolution of Human Diet.” PubMed Central (NIH), 2011, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3191413/.

“HERC2 Gene Variants and Human Eye Color.” PubMed Central (NIH), 2023, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10048254/.

“The Human Genome Project Timeline and Impact.” National Human Genome Research Institute, https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project.

“Making SNPs Make Sense.” Learn Genetics, University of Utah, https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/precision/snips/.

“Exploration of the Human Genome by Investigation of Personalized SNPs.” Genetics Society of America, https://genetics-gsa.org/education/gsa-prep/.

“Educational Resources.” National Human Genome Research Institute, https://www.genome.gov/About-Genomics/Educational-Resources.

“Teaching the Genome Generation.” The Jackson Laboratory, https://www.jax.org/education-and-learning/high-school-students-and-undergraduates/teaching-the-genome-generation.

Telomere-to-Telomere Consortium. “Complete Sequence of a Human Genome.” Science, vol. 376, no. 6588, 2022.