Learning To Teach Algebra
I was asked to talk about an interesting algebra problem that I've done. Instead, I want to talk about an interesting problem/issue that comes up when teaching algebra that I've encountered that I think everyone (teachers and students) need to be aware of. Students learn whatever their teacher decides to show them. This can be an issue as sometimes students learn a specific method rather than the concept the method is covering. I remember thinking that math was so great because it wasn't up for interpretation. There was only one way to solve a problem and it produced a single answer. It wasn't until much later that I realized that it isn't as simple as that. Let's consider multiplying two polynomials. If you are multiplying a constant by a binomial then you distribute the constant to both of the terms in the binomial individually and then add the two products together. 3(x+1)=(3*x)+(3*1) =3x+3 Easy enough. What about multiplying a binomial instead o...