Algebra in the Real World and Everyday Life. Essay
Algebra in the Real World and Everyday Life
Hal Hagood u07a2 Table of Contents
Page Number
Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………… 2
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 3
Ways That Algebra Affects Business or Science ………………………………….. 5
How Algebraic Concepts Can Solve Everyday Problems in Life …………………. 6
Ways Algebra Can Solve Everyday Problems in Business or Science ……………. 9
A Surprising Finding About How Algebra Affects Personal Life, Business, and Science 10
References ………………………………………………………………………….. 14
Introduction
Algebra, some of us fear it while some of us embrace it, algebra is not “arithmetic with letters” it is better described as a way of thinking. At its most fundamental level, arithmetic and algebra are two different forms of thinking about numerical issues. Many of these examples have been taken from our classroom discussions while others are examples I have discovered in my own research for this paper, several examples of each will be cited.
“Let’s start with arithmetic. This is essentially the use of the four numerical operations addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to calculate numerical values of various things. It is the oldest part of mathematics, having its origins in Sumeria (primarily today’s Iraq) around 10,000 years ago. Sumerian society reached a stage of sophistication that led to the introduction of money as a means to measure an individual’s wealth and mediate the exchange of goods and services.
There are several ways to come to an understanding of the difference between arithmetic and (school) algebra. First, algebra involves thinking logically rather than numerically. In arithmetic you reason (calculate) with numbers; in algebra you reason (logically) about numbers. Arithmetic involves quantitative reasoning with numbers; algebra involves qualitative reasoning about numbers. In arithmetic, you calculate a number by working
Hal Hagood u07a2 Table of Contents
Page Number
Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………… 2
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 3
Ways That Algebra Affects Business or Science ………………………………….. 5
How Algebraic Concepts Can Solve Everyday Problems in Life …………………. 6
Ways Algebra Can Solve Everyday Problems in Business or Science ……………. 9
A Surprising Finding About How Algebra Affects Personal Life, Business, and Science 10
References ………………………………………………………………………….. 14
Introduction
Algebra, some of us fear it while some of us embrace it, algebra is not “arithmetic with letters” it is better described as a way of thinking. At its most fundamental level, arithmetic and algebra are two different forms of thinking about numerical issues. Many of these examples have been taken from our classroom discussions while others are examples I have discovered in my own research for this paper, several examples of each will be cited.
“Let’s start with arithmetic. This is essentially the use of the four numerical operations addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to calculate numerical values of various things. It is the oldest part of mathematics, having its origins in Sumeria (primarily today’s Iraq) around 10,000 years ago. Sumerian society reached a stage of sophistication that led to the introduction of money as a means to measure an individual’s wealth and mediate the exchange of goods and services.
There are several ways to come to an understanding of the difference between arithmetic and (school) algebra. First, algebra involves thinking logically rather than numerically. In arithmetic you reason (calculate) with numbers; in algebra you reason (logically) about numbers. Arithmetic involves quantitative reasoning with numbers; algebra involves qualitative reasoning about numbers. In arithmetic, you calculate a number by working
References: Algebra.com, (2013). Retrieved May 5, 2013 from http://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Linear-equations/Linear-equations.faq.question.707072.html Algebra in Real Life, (2013). Retrieved May 5, 2013 from http://www.ehow.com/how_5714133_use-algebra-real-life.html NASA, (2013). Retrieved May 5, 2013 from http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/514479main_AL_ED_Comm_FINAL.pdf Real Life Applications of Algebra, (2013). Retrieved April 30, 2013 from http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_some_real_life_applications_of_algebra Suite101, (2013). Retrieved May 5, 2013 from http://suite101.com/article/children-use-algebra-everyday-to-solve-problems-a59021 What is algebra, (2011). Retrieved April 30, 2013 from http://profkeithdevlin.org/2011/11/20/what-is-algebra/