In algebra, why do you think that you are given many problems to solve that aren't really "real life" problems? For example, "Twice the sum of a number and 5 is 24. Find the number." ... ?

You can't understand the upper most level in math unless you understand the lower levels. With that said, the construction of the roads we drive on, the planes we fly in, the houses we live in, the pots, pans, cooking utensils, and eating utensils we cook and eat with, etc. all are dependent on a strong knowledge and foundation of math.