Should our math curriculum do away with Algebra? That's the question that is sparking quite a response this week in the New York Times. Personally, I have heard both sides of this conversation many times throughout my academic career and I will admit, I enjoy algebra and being an educator, I've used it throughout my life. However, there are opposing views on this and after all, I'm somebody who likes Algebra and my career leaves me with a biased opinion. No doubt, this coversation brings forth some passionate opinions both for and against. Some say X and some say why? Would love to hear from you on this one. See also Algebra Help and Tutorials
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I am very saddened to read about a serious debate to eliminate algebra from the math curriculum. Apparently the US have fallen quite farther than I have long feared. Math trains a mind to use the analytical portion of the brain. During the current election season I have found the misrepresentation of statistics and percentages on a daily basis. Apparently many in the media cannot or will not correct these misrepresentations. The last thing I want is for today’s youth to lessen their understanding of math. Besides, algebra is not that difficult a subject to learn and can be mastered by any high school graduate. The NYT has sunk quite low with this article.
Maths is about problem solving. A key strategy is to look for patterns which are in turn best described algebraically in a formula format that can unlock any future problem of that type. Algebra is a cornerstone building block of mathematics even at the simplest level. Unfortunately most people are introduced to the concept way too late in the lives leaving them ignorant of the fact they rely on it to solve daily problems. As a primary teacher who is now teaching lower-school maths I can see just how much valuable algebra is and how poorly it is introduced in my former area of education. Perhaps we are all to blame in some part because as a topic it is not well covered for the majority of students studying maths. A simple survey of students will tell you what they think. The challenge for teachers is to make it meaningful and engaging for the majority of students rather than the few at the top.
As a retired university mathematics professor for nearly 30 years, I can not believe what I am reading. Through the years I experienced groups of students that, as time went by, they showed a decreasing ability to understand math as they should. If algebra is eliminated, does it mean that the student will jump to a higher level as starting point? I do not have to comment further. Anybody that reads my
words will see my point clearly.
Even I feel that that Algebra is a really interesting subject and it must not be removed from curriculum. I love the way we use “x” and “y” for finding the results.
I thought state education was pretty poor in England. I cannot believe that doing away with teaching algebra is being seriously considered in the United States. Crazy.
Try to remove all BRICKS from a Brick House! Math is about relations and patterns. Imagine presenting these and manipulating them without a good understanding of expressions, equations, inequalities, etc., i.e., without a good understanding of AGEBRA.
….or ALGEBRA