PBS show figures out why kids really do need to know their math

“When am I ever going to use this in real life?”

Practically everybody has asked this question at one time or another, especially during algebra class. Now a new special, Math . . . Who Needs It?, attempts a satisfactory answer for kids (and parents) who always thought they could get by in life with just a calculator and a smile.

Legendary teacher Jaime Escalante, who provided the inspiration for the movie “Stand and Deliver” (which airs Monday 9-11 p.m. on KOCE and 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday KCET), hosts the entertaining and enlightening special-which includes guest appearances by such stars as Bill Cosby, Teri Garr, Dizzy Gillespie and Joe Piscopo. The program also interviews people with exciting jobs-skateboard designers, roller coaster engineers, music executives and fashion buyers-to show how they use math on a daily basis in their work.

“Math . . . Who Needs It?”; Wednesday 8-9 p.m. KPBS and KVCR, 9:30-10:30 p.m. KCET; Thursday 5-6 p.m. KCET, 8-9 p.m. KOCE. For all ages.

MORE KIDS’ SHOWS

The hero of the 1986 movie Biggles: Adventures in Time (today 1-3 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m.-noon KCOP) travels through time to World War I-era Europe, where he gets involved with the Allies. For ages 10 and up.

The popular kids’ series Eureeka’s Castle (weekdays 10-10:30 a.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 7-7:30 a.m. Nickelodeon) begins new episodes. For 2- to 5-year-olds.

The 1980s series Dennis the Menace (Monday-Friday 8-8:30 a.m. XETV, 3-3:30 p.m. KTTV), which follows the animated adventures of the famous mischievous little boy, makes its Fox debut. For 3-to 11-year-olds.

The five-part miniseries Little Dracula (Tuesday-Friday, 2:30-3 p.m. XETV. and Saturday 9:30-10 a.m. XETV) is based on the British children’s books about the Count’s 10-year-old son, who would rather be a party animal than a bloodsucker. For all ages.

The chivalry and pageantry of the Middle Ages provide the backdrop for Prince Valiant (Tuesdays 8-8:30 p.m. Family Channel), a new animated adventure series that follows the teen prince as he tries to become a knight of the Round Table. For all ages.

Who Will Teach for America? (Tuesday 9-10 p.m. KCET, KPBS; Wednesday 9-10 p.m. KOCE, KVCR; Friday 4-5 p.m. KCET, 5:30-6:30 p.m. KVCR) chronicles the experiences of some of the 500 college graduates of 1990 who made two-year commitments to teach in needy inner-city and rural schools. For parents.

“Teacher, Teacher” (Tuesday 10-11 p.m. KOCE), on Frontline, captures the hopes and frustrations of public school teachers in a town in the Midwest. For parents.

The animated Frecklejuice (Wednesday 11:30 a.m.-noon Disney Channel) is about a second-grader who longs for freckles more than anything in the world-and who goes to great lengths to acquire them. For 3- to 11-year-olds.

The animated version of the E.B. White classic book Charlotte’s Web (Friday 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Family Channel) is about a pig’s friendship with a very smart spider-and other barnyard goings-on. For 3- to 1-year-olds.

Can’t wait for the new cartoons? Toon in to ABC’s Saturday Morning Preview (Friday 8:30-9 p.m.) to check out one network’s offerings. For all ages.

All About Dogs (Saturday 6-6:30 a.m. KNBC) is a lighthearted look at kids’ best friends, hosted by Allison Smith, the star of Broadway’s “Annie.” For 3- to 11-year-olds.

In the season premiere of What Every Baby Knows: An American Family Album (Saturday 9-9:30 a.m. Lifetime), host Dr. T. Berry Brazelton begins a season-long journey to six cities across America, seeking regional differences in parenting styles. For parents.