What makes the study of Algebra so interesting, compelling, and necessary?

Question

A person must learn basic soccer skills like dribbling, running, striking, and defensive and offensive positioning and strategy before he/he can successfully play in a game. The nature of Algebra is the threshold where a student is elevated from practicing arithmetic skills to game play. It is the gateway into higher level math and science courses. But there is more!!

Answer 1

Algebra is all about telling stories about relationships! We do so through math phrases, math sentences, pictures (graphs), tables, and mappings. If you like telling stories and like being involved in relationships, then this is the course for you!

Algebra is the first chance a student can get into the game after years of practicing arithmetic skills. The game is applying those skills in real life relational situations. In real life some relationships are pretty straightforward and some are complex. Algebra gives us tools to help us simplify, organize, and make sense out of most relationships.

One of the most basic needs for an adolescent is to form and develop relationships. Who knew we could do some of that in a math class!