(b) Curve Fitting
Another topic which now receives unusual emphasis in our high schools, is that of curve fitting. That is, fitting data points to lines, polynomials, log, exponential or trig functions. This is referred to as modelling, bearing a resemblance to the modelling work of physical scientists.
Curve fitting is only one of hundreds, if not thousands of numerical problem types which face scientists and engineers (see, for example, the lists of numerical algorithms in the NAG library or in Numerical Recipes). Curve fitting is not an important enough problem to receive undue emphasis. It is more important for students to develop confidence and thinking ability by becoming proficient in the established basics of geometry, algebra, trigonometry and calculus. This is also the shortest path to accurate modelling.