| Discussion: | Research Area |
| Topic: | Why (numerical) algebra is arithmetic backward |
| Post a new topic to the Research Area Discussion discussion |
| ||||
| Subject: | Why (numerical) algebra is arithmetic backward |
| Author: | Sonny |
| Date: | May 26 2004 |
 |
|
showing that
(NUMERICAL) ALGEBRA IS ARITHMETIC BACKWARDS. Example: If you make 8 payments of
$75 each, that
accumulates to 8 x $75 = $600. Conversely, you may incur an obligation of $600
and wish to know
how much you must pay in eight equal payments. That is the (numerical) algebra
problem of
8X = $600, with solution X = $75. This understanding motivates students by
showing them that
they already know a method which, turned around solves another type of problem.
It also explains
that the "X" in (numerical) algebra is a set of numbers which conditionally
satisfy an equation.
In a file at this Website, I quote the Danish theologian and philosopher, Soren
Kierkegaard:
"Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forward." And note
that algebraic
exercises can prepare one for non-mathematical procedures in life. In another
file at this
Website, I note the comment of Morris Kline in his "Mathematical Thought from
Ancient to Modern
Times", V. I, that the first people (Babylonian Priests) to develop predictive
science -- namely,
predicting phases of the moon, lunar and solar eclipses, etc. -- were the
first people to develop
(numerical) algebra. This material is also ONLINE in Spanish:
http://.../jonhays/algepagina.htm.
| |||||||
| Post a new topic to the Research Area Discussion discussion | |||||||