First, and foremost, maths teaches you how to think, and how to solve problems, even if the problems are NOT mathematical in nature. The methods in most algebra are essentially the same as the ones in arithmetic, and could be replaced by trial and error, but being able to use a symbol for the answer can cut down on the "guesses" you'd need with trial and error. That saves you a great deal of time in getting to the best solution. You use the maths all the time, when you buy things or sell them, so simple arithmetic, augmented by algebra, means you don't have to guess whether you are getting a bargain or not. It also makes communication more precise and accurate - you can ask for the amounts you need, and read off a scale or whatever whether you are getting what you paid for, or asked for. In other words, maths in some form is absolutely essential for communication, when added to any language. Theoretical maths (games theory, knotting theory, packing theory, numerical analysis, and a lot more) is nowadays employed in economics and many other areas - it's what allows your doctor to look at an x-ray and be sure that the schematic of the bones and so on are accurate enough to make a diagnosis, or work out the MRI indications. Sure, you might not need the methods on a day-to-day basis, but you'd be surprised at how many people you need to deal with on a daily basis depend on the results of theoretical mathematicians to be able to give YOU what YOU want from them! Drop maths, and you finish up with people who think that the Hunger Games (or (shudder...) Twilight) are realistic representations of real life!