Algebra Presents

Algebra

Each groups were given two days to present their assigned task. In our group, day one was game day. The class were called not for a lecture but to play mind games to see if they still remember anything about algebra from high school and college. Through the game set in different levels of difficulty, it was a tool to check the ability of the student as to how much they know about algebra. The aim of the game was not to let them see the difficulties in algebra but through patience, every problem can be solved. Another aim of the game was to help them see not the difficulty that arises in algebra but the fun side that is merely covered up the symbols of equations we see. Anyone can solve a problem, it only takes a matter of perseverance and patience. And most of all solving can be fun if we just disregard the associated fear and difficulty in the concept of mathematics itself. As the headmasters of the game were my two group mates, I was the one explaining the aims as mentioned above and it was also my task to explain the instructions of the game, as well as to guard as to which group answers first when questions are asked.

Day two was presentation day. The group decided to make a small skit. The plot of the story was that Kuting, a student, was finding mathematics and algebra very hard and thus was starting to hate the concept. Soon her friends came and explained to her what algebra is, what it does, what it can do to help us and how it can help make our life easier. We first started telling her of the history of mathematics, soon each of us were explaining a section of algebra. In the short skit, I told Kuting of the branch of algebra that deals with problem solving. I explained how most of us hate this branch but it merely is translating the words into equation. If we can learn languages and translate it into our own languages, what more these word problems when math and numbers are a universal language known to all mankind. There were tips mentioned on how to translate these word problems and how to solve them.

Then after the short skit, a debate was made as to whether the branch of Algebra is essential in our daily lives. As part of the party that is against this idea, our main preposition was that we don’t need algebra to survive as to day to day basis. It is not essential for what is essential is food and shelter. In the end of the debate, I concluded that each of us sees Algebra in different perspectives, mathematicians might see their importance especially for arithmetic help in day to day basis, but as a humanities student I don’t.
However, it is important to note that though we might see it differently, we have to remember that though it may or may not be as essential to us as our needs but it had made us what we are and who we are today. We have developed so much through the help of mathematics. And in the end of the day, we appreciate those that have brought us to places, one of which is algebra.