What in everyday life is algebra used for?
Algebra is used frequently in everyday life, but we don’t often think about the fact that we are using algebra. If you are trying to figure out how many packages of hot dog buns to buy for a party, you are using algebra. Planning a budget for a road trip based on gas prices and gas mileage – using algebra. As for why it’s being taught as early as Kindergarten (yes, those old problems Square +1 = 2, what goes in the square? – algebra!), it’s to develop algebraic thinking. Thinking about algebra means thinking in a unique way in which numbers combine not just in a forward 1+2=3 but also in a 3-2=1 or 2+1=3 way and so on. The sooner we introduce students to this form of thinking the more successful they will be with any type of logic problem presented to them, not just algebra. However, I agree with you about calculators. It is important to teach students how and when to use calculators. It is also important to teach students how to estimate so they know if they made a mistake leading to
